Seattle Public Utilities informed Seattle Parks and Recreation June 25 that test results from samples taken this week at Golden Gardens Creek reveal very low levels of fecal coliform.

The test results conflict with test results released June 22 by international nonprofit Surfrider Foundation that showed high levels of fecal coliform in the creek.

Parks requested that Seattle Public Utilities take samples from the creek to determine the health and safety of the creek for recreational use, according to a Parks press release.

Sampling on June 23 confirmed that sewage from the city’s system is not entering the stream, according to the press release.

“As a result of the information released today, Public Health – Seattle & King County does not recommend closing the creek,” Charles Wu, King County Public Health & Environmental Investigator, said in the press release. “However, there is always the potential for urban streams to be contaminated from a variety of sources, including pet and wildlife waste, and so we advise people to stay out of urban creeks at all times.”

It is normal for bacteria levels in urban creeks to fluctuate due to changing conditions, such as rainfall and the presence of other sources of bacteria including wildlife, pets and human activity, according to the press release. There are actions that people can take to minimize bacterial levels in the creek, such as cleaning up after pets and not feeding wildlife.

According to the Parks press release, the City values volunteers who care about urban parks and streams and intends to work cooperatively with volunteers from Surfrider Foundation to compare sampling information, provide technical support and develop a better common understanding of the data that are being collected.