INDIANOLA — After stepping around an issue that closed their beloved beach last summer, Indianola residents have decided to take matters into their own hands, or plastic bags as the case may be.
Last year, the swimming season was cut short after Kitsap County Health District tests indicated high levels of fecal bacteria in the waters that were often used by residents and visitors. Sunbathers and swimmers alike immediately wanted to find out how they could get their beach back.
That’s when resident and Indianola Beach Improvement Club member Annie Linzer called the health district to find out what could be done.
A few of the sources causing the high levels of bacteria include dog waste and failing septic systems, said Mindy Fohn, an environmental health specialist for the district. Linzer told Fohn she noticed high amounts of pet waste in the area and invited her to attend an IBIC meeting and discuss what could be done to decrease the bacteria levels.
Besides posting signs educating residents about the effects of fecal coliform on beaches, the county also started a “Mutt Mitt” program in the community.
Mutt Mitts are plastic bags pet owners can to use to clean up after their pets. There are a total of seven Mutt Mitts dispensers along Shore Drive and Seaview Avenue, both of which run parallel to the beach.
Since the implementation of this program last fall, the problem is all but in the bag.
“Residents have said beaches are cleaner and they don’t see as much dog waste,” Fohn said.
“It’s actually making a big difference,” Linzer added. “It was so bad last year, I didn’t want to walk to the beach.”
The district has continued the weekly beach monitoring this summer and fecal bacteria numbers are not nearly as high as they were last year.
“We haven’t seen the numbers as high as they were but it doesn’t mean the problem is totally solved,” Fohn said.
In order to continue improving the beach, refill bags need to be purchased and the IBIC is looking for funding assistance. A box of 800 bags costs $65. Those interested in helping out can call the IBIC at (360) 297-4242.
Linzer said she believes that the community effort is paying off.
“We are trying to pinpoint the problems and clean them up quickly,” she said. “I think it’s making people start to think about bringing their dog to the beach and there are more dogs on leashes than ever before. It’s been great.”
Aside from the plastic bags and warning signs, the district is also looking for other sources of pollution and is testing the waters of Kitsap and Indianola creeks. It also plans to discuss septic systems with owners in the vicinity, Fohn said.
