After a few weeks of bated breath and sweaty brows, it is finally safe to go back in the water.

On Wednesday, July 26, the bacteria level has receded enough in south Lake Washington that King County has allowed the re-opening of Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park.

According to the samples taken on Monday, July 24, bacteria levels at Gene Coulon had diminished greatly since July 10.

When bacteria results are above 320 bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample water, that is when bacteria levels are considered high. If two of the three bacteria samples (labeled “Sample A”, “Sample B”and “Sample C”) are over the 320 bacteria/100 mL threshold, then the county will recommend the public to not swim in that water.

On July 10, Samples A, B and C showed that there were 560 bacteria per 100 milliliters of water (560 bacteria/100 mL), 350 bacteria/100 mL and 22 bacteria/100 mL in the water at Gene Coulon. Fourteen days later, the samples lowered to 27 bacteria/100 mL, 75 bacteria/100 mL and 230 bacteria/100 mL.

From the King County website, water at more than two dozen lake beaches that are popular swimming spots are regularly tested for bacteria every year from mid-May to mid-September. If water tests find high bacteria, it means that there are high levels of poop from people, pets, or wildlife in the water, which can carry germs that make people ill.