E. coli forces Klineline Pond closure

Clark County Public Health has closed Klineline Pond to swimmers after routine testing on Monday showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in the water, according to a Public Health press release.

Public Health announced the closure of the pond for swimming and wading Tuesday. Those who fish at Klineline Pond should avoid water contact. E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness if water is swallowed.

“It’s especially important to keep children out of the pond, because they are more likely than adults to swallow some of the water,” Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director, said in a press release.

The pond will remain closed to swimmers until testing shows the bacteria levels are within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, according to the release. Updates are posted on the Public Health public beaches website: www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches.

Salmon Creek Regional Park and the splash pad, which use municipal water, will remain open to the public. Restroom and shelter water are not affected, and remain safe to drink.

On July 24 Klineline Pond was placed under a health advisory, but not closed, when one of five water tests returned with elevated levels of E. coli. The health advisory was lifted July 27.