Kirkland Officials Warn Against Visiting Two Parks Due to Unsafe Bacteria Levels
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Health officials in Kirkland, Washington, are urging residents to avoid O. O. Denny Park and Houghton Beach Park due to the presence of unsafe levels of bacteria in the water. The advisory is in effect until at least September 3, with specific warnings against allowing pets to roam in these areas. The contamination was primarily caused by construction work that blocked a sewer mainline, resulting in an overflow into Denny Creek and Lake Washington.
Northshore Utility District crews confirmed that the sewage overflow has been fixed as of August 27. In addition, water quality staff at Houghton Beach Park have detected bacterial levels exceeding safe limits, prompting them to plan additional testing for next week. The public is strongly encouraged to postpone visits to these parks for at least one week to ensure safety. This situation highlights the importance of monitoring water quality, especially during construction activities that may impact local ecosystems. Residents are advised to stay informed and heed public health warnings to protect their health and that of their pets.