Clark County Public Health issued a swim beach warning at Battle Ground Lake, 18002 NE 249th St., Battle Ground, on Friday, May 30, due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
Test results for the samples collected at Battle Ground Lake on Tuesday, May 28, showed potentially hazardous levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal illness when water is accidentally swallowed, the county news release stated.
While the warning is in place, Public Health advises against swimming and wading in the lake. Young children are particularly at risk due to their increased likelihood of swallowing water, according to the release. People who come in contact with the water should rinse off after.
Public Health will collect more water samples on Monday, June 3, to determine the next steps, which could include lifting the warning or closing the lake’s swim beach, the news release stated.
Fish at the lake are safe to catch and consume but should be thoroughly cleaned and cooked, and not eaten raw. Equipment used to fish in the lake should also be cleaned, the news release stated.
For the latest water test results and health advisories, visit clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches.
