United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
4305
EPA-823-R-98-003
May 1998
Bacterial Water Quality Standards
Status Report
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BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FOR RECREATIONAL WATERS
(FRESHWATER AND MARINE WATERS)
STATUS REPORT
Prepared by:
Standards and Applied Science Division
Office of Science and Technology
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
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Disclaimer
This publication was prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc. under contract to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Secondary information sources were used to compile data presented in this document. In
no event shall either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Tetra Tech, Inc. have any responsibility
or liability for any use, misuse, or reliance upon the information contained herein, nor does either warrant
or otherwise represent in any way the accuracy, adequacy, efficacy, or applicability of the contents hereof.
The reader should consult the water quality standards of a particular state for exact regulatory language
applicable to that state. Copies of state water quality standards may be obtained from the state's Water
Pollution Control Agency or its equivalent.
Additional information may also be obtained from:
Water Quality Standards Branch
Standards and Applied Science Division (4305)
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
11
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Contents
1. Introduction j
2. Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Summary Information
Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for States and Territories Within
EPA Regions 5
Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for Tribes Within EPA Regions 7
Narrative Summary g
3. Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Detailed Overview
Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region 11
EPA Region 1
Connecticut \ \
Maine \ \
Massachusetts \ \
New Hampshire 12
Rhode Island 12
Vermont 13
EPA Region 2
New Jersey 13
New York 14
Puerto Rico 16
Virgin Islands 16
EPA Region 3
Delaware 17
District of Columbia 17
Maryland 17
Pennsylvania 17
Virginia lg
West Virginia lg
EPA Region 4
Alabama lg
Florida 19
Georgia 19
Kentucky 19
Mississippi 19
North Carolina 20
South Carolina 20
Tennessee ; 20
ill
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EPA Region 5
Illinois 21
Indiana 21
Michigan 21
Minnesota 22
Ohio 22
Wisconsin 22
EPA Region 6
Arkansas 23
Louisiana 23
New Mexico 23
Oklahoma 23
Texas 24
EPA Region 7
Iowa 24
Kansas 24
Missouri 24
Nebraska 25
EPA Region 8
Colorado 25
Montana 25
North Dakota 25
South Dakota 25
Utah 26
Wyoming 26
EPA Region 9
American Samoa 26
Arizona 26
California 27
Hawaii 28
Guam 29
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 29
Nevada 30
Trust Territory • 30
EPA Region 10
Alaska 31
Idaho 31
Oregon 31
Washington 32
IV
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Introduction
EPA's Beach Program
On May 23, 1997, EPA Administrator Carol Browner announced the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's new Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health (BEACH) Program. The goal of
the BEACH program is to significantly reduce the risk of infection to users of the nation's recreational
waters through improvements in recreational water programs, communication, and scientific advances.
High levels of pathogens in recreational waters can increase human exposure through ingestion, inhalation,
and body contact, thus increasing the risk of illness. Surveys and ongoing scientific studies continue to
document the presence of, or the potential for, disease-carrying bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens
present in local beach water, primarily from sewage and stormwater runoff.
Through its BEACH program, EPA is working to:
• Strengthen state, tribal, and local programs, including water quality standards;
• Develop and implement new tools to inform the public;
• Conduct research to improve the scientific basis for beach programs.
One specific focus of this program and the water quality standards program is to review and strengthen
bacterial water quality standards.
Status Report
The purpose of the Status Report is to provide a brief overview of the bacterial water quality standards that
have been adopted by states for their marine and fresh recreational waters in the United States. This report
is based on consultations with EPA water quality standards coordinators. The report is accurate as of
September 1997; however, there may be revisions to standards that are not reflected in this report. EPA
will update the report periodically to reflect new information.
The following tables contain updated information on the bacterial water quality standards that have been
adopted by states, territories, and tribes to protect human health from waterborae diseases within their
jurisdictions. The information is presented in summary format for both states/territories and tribes. The
standards are also described in more detail. The summary is organized first by EPA region, and then by
state, territory, and tribe within each region.
For the precise regulatory language applicable to a particular state, the reader should consult the water
quality standards of that state. Copies of state water quality standards may be obtained from the state's
water quality management agency or its equivalent.
The reader should also note that these may not be the only guidelines or standards in effect for recreational
waters in a particular location. It is not uncommon for a local health agency to develop and adopt site-
specific guidelines as part of their public health codes. Although EPA is compiling a catalog of these
guidelines, one should consult with the appropriate local health agency to obtain detailed information.
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Water Quality Standards Background
In response to widespread public concern about the condition of our nation's waters, the United States
Congress enacted landmark legislation hi 1972. This statute, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972 (referred to as the Clean Water Act of 1972, or CWA), expanded and built upon
existing laws designed to control and prevent water pollution. Successive amendments to the 1972 CWA
(the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the Water Quality Act of 1987) have continued to strengthen the law to
better protect our nation's waters.
Water quality standards are the cornerstone of a state's water quality management program. States,
territories, and Indian tribes set water quality standards for waters within their jurisdictions. Water quality
standards define a use for a waterbody and describe the specific water quality criteria to achieve that use.
The water quality standards also contain antidegradation policies to protect existing water quality. These
are the goals by which success is ultimately gauged for a given waterbody or watershed.
The water quality standards program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Congress has mandated that EPA is responsible for providing water quality criteria recommendations,
approving state-adopted standards for interstate waters, evaluating adherence to the standards, and
overseeing enforcement of standards compliance. Guidance for the development of standards by
individual states, tribes, and territories is contained in the EPA documents Water Quality Standards
Handbook, Second Edition (1983) and Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (1986).
Fecal bacteria have been used as an indicator of the possible presence of pathogens in surface waters and
the risk of disease, based on epidemiological evidence of gastrointestinal disorders from ingestion of
contaminated surface water or raw shellfish. Contact with contaminated water can lead to ear or skin
infections, and inhalation of contaminated water can cause respiratory diseases. The pathogens responsible
for these diseases can be bacteria, viruses, protozoans, fungi, or parasites that live in the gastrointestinal
tract and are shed in the feces of warm-blooded animals.
However, because of the difficulties in analyzing for and detecting the many possible pathogens or
parasites, concentrations of fecal bacteria, including fecal coliforms, enterococci, and Escherichia coli, are
used as the primary indicators of fecal contamination. The latter two indicators are considered to have a
higher degree of association with outbreaks of certain diseases than fecal coliforms and were recommended
as the basis for bacterial water quality standards in the 1986 Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria
document (both for fresh waters, enterococci for marine waters). The standards are defined as a
concentration of the indicator above which the health risk from waterborne disease is unacceptably high.
Prior to the 1986 revision to the National criterion, there were recommendations in the report of the
National Technical Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior, Water Quality Criteria (1967) and
by EPA in Quality Criteria for Water (1976). Both of these documents were based on fecal coliforms and
recommended that maximum densities not exceed geometric means of 200 organisms per 100 ml in
recreational waters.
The 1986 criteria statement for bacteriological criteria follows:
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EPA Criteria for Bathing (Full Body Contact)
Recreational Waters
Freshwater
Based on a statistically sufficient number of samples (generally not less than 5 samples equally
spaced over a 30-day period), the geometric mean of the indicated bacterial densities should not exceed
one or the other of the following:1
E. coli
Enterococci
126 per 100 ml; or
33 per 100 ml.
No sample should exceed a one sided confidence limit (C.L.) calculated using the following as guidance:
Designated bathing beach 75% C.L.
Moderate use for bathing 82% C.L.
Light use for bathing 90% C.L.
Infrequent use for bathing 95% C.L.
based on a site-specific log standard deviation, or if site data are insufficient to establish a log standard
deviation, then using 0.4 as the log standard deviation for both indicators.
Marine Water
Based on a statistically sufficient number of samples (generally not less than 5 samples equally
spaced over a 30-day period), the geometric mean of the enterococci densities should not exceed 35 per
100 ml.
No sample should exceed a one sided confidence limit using the following as guidance:
Designated bathing beach 75% C.L.
Moderate use for bathing 82% C.L.
Light use for bathing 90% C.L.
Infrequent use for bathing 95% C.L.
based on a site-specific log standard deviation, or if site data are insufficient to establish a log standard
deviation, then using 0.7 as the log standard deviation.
'Only one indicator should be used. The regulatory agency should select the appropriate indicator for its
conditions.
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Acknowledgements
This report was compiled by Rick Hoffmann and Kent Ballentine in the Office of Science and Technology.
To ensure the completeness and accuracy of this overview, the following EPA Regional Water Quality
Standards Coordinators were contacted:
Region 1: BillBeckwith
Office of Ecosystem Protection
Boston, MA
Region 2: Wayne Jackson
Division of Environmental Planning and Protection
New York, NY
Region 3: Evelyn MacKnight
Water Protection Division
Philadelphia, PA
Region 4: Fritz Wagener
Water Management Division
Atlanta, GA
Region 5: David Pfeifer
Water Division
Chicago, IL
Region 6: Cheryl Overstreet
Water Quality Protection Division
Dallas, TX
Region 7: Larry Shepard
Water, Wetlands and Pesticides Division
Kansas City, KS
Region 8: Bill Wuerthele
Office of Ecosystems Protection and Remediation
Denver, CO
Region 9: Phil Woods
Water Division
San Francisco, CA
Region 10: LisaMacchio
Office of Water
Seattle, WA
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Summary Information
Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for States and Territories
Within EPA Regions
Region/State Freshwater Marine Water
Region/State Freshwa
Region 1 Region 2
CT EN/FC/TC1'2 EN
ME EC EN
MA FC FC
NH EC EN
RI FC/TC FC
VT EC
NJ EN/FC
NY FC/TC
PR
VI
ter Marine Water
EN/FC
FC/TC
EN/FC/TC
FC
Region 3 Region 4
DE EN EN
DC FC
MD FC FC
PA FC
VA FC FC
WV FC
AL FC
'FL FC
GA FC
KY FC
MS FC
NC FC
SC FC
TN FC
FC
FC
FC
•
FC
FC
FC
•
Region 5 Region 6
IL FC
IN EC
MI EC/FC
MN FC
OH EC/FC
WI FC
AR FC
LA FC
NM FC
•
FC
•
OK EC/EN/FC
TX FC/EN
FC
1 FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms; EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli.
2 Many jurisdictions use both the 1986 indicator criteria and fecal coliforms; some continue to use total coliforms. Even if a state
has the authority to use the 1986 indicators, it may use another indicator at its discretion.
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Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for States and Territories
Within EPA Regions
Region/State Freshwater Marine Water
Region/State | Freshwater Marine Water
Region 7 Region 8
IA FC •
KS FC . . •
MO FC
NE FC
CO FC •
MT FC
ND FC
SD FC
UT FC/TC •
WY FC
Region 9 Region 10
AZ EC/FC
CA EC/EN/FC/TC3 EN/FC/TC
HI FC EN
NV EC/FC
Amer. Samoa FC FC
CNMI EC/EN/FC EN
Guam FC FC
Trust Territory FC EN/FC
AK FC FC
ED FC
OR EC FC
WA FC FC
3 California has 9 Regional Boards; some use the 1986 indicator criteria, whereas some use fecal coliforms and total coliforms
entirely or for other purposes.
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Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for Tribes Within EPA Regions
Region/State
Region 6
MM
OK
Region 8
CO
MT
ND
Region 9
CA
Region 10
WA
Tribe
Isleta Pueblo
Nambe Pueblo
Picuris Pueblo
Pojoaque Pueblo
Sandia Pueblo
San Juan Pueblo
Santa Clara Pueblo
Seminole Tribe
Southern Utes Tribe
Salish and Kootenai Tribes - Flathead Tribes
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes - Fort Peck Reservation
Three Affiliated Tribes - Fort Berthold Reservation
Hoopa Valley Tribe
Chehalis Tribe
Colville Confederated Tribes
Puyallup Tribe
Freshwater
FC1
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC (Adopted)
EC (Proposed)
FC (Proposed)
EC
FC
EN
FC
FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms; EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli.
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Narrative Summary (as of September, 199?)
For freshwaters, 37 states, the District of Columbia, and two trust territories still rely on the 1968
200 FC/100 mL water standard as their primary indicator for recreational waters:
Alabama
Arkansas
California (some regions)
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianna
Islands
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Trust Territory
Utah
Virginia
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming
Seven states and two territories have fecal and/or total coliform standards more stringent than 200 FC/
100 mL and 1000 TC/100 mL:
Alaska
American Samoa
California (some regions)
Guam
Idaho
Illinois (Lake Michigan)
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Washington
Eleven states and one territory have adopted an E. coli standard for freshwater:
Arizona
California
(San Francisco Bay,
San Diego, and
Colorado River Basin
regions)
Indiana
Maine
Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana
Islands
Michigan
Nevada
(Lake Tahoe and
Humboldt River)
New Hampshire
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Vermont
Six states, one tribe, and one territory use enterococci as a standard for freshwater:
California
(San Francisco Bay,
San Diego, Colorado
River Basin regions)
Connecticut
Delaware
Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana
Islands
New Jersey
Oklahoma
Texas
(Houston Ship Channel)
Washington-Colville
Confederated Tribes
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Eight states and one territory use a combination of bacterial indicator standards:
California (E. coli, enterococci, fecal and total coliforms)
Connecticut (enterococci, fecal and total coliforms)
Ohio (E. coli and fecal coliforms)
Oklahoma (choice of E. coli, enterococci, or fecal coliforms)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (E. coli and enterococci)
Michigan (E. coli and fecal coliforms)
New Jersey (enterococci and fecal coliforms)
New York (fecal and total coliforms)
Rhode Island (fecal and total coliforms)
Twelve tribes use or have proposed using fecal coliform densities for evaluating freshwater quality, one
uses enterococci, and two use or have proposed using E. coli.
Of those jurisdictions having marine water quality standards, 17 states and three trust territories use fecal
coliforms:
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
California
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Six states and one territory use enterococci:
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana
Islands
Maine
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Virgin Islands
Virginia
Washington
New Hampshire
New Jersey
(1500ft-3mifrom
shoreline)
One state and two territories use a combination of fecal coliforms and enterococci:
California (San Diego Region, Shore)
Puerto Rico
Trust Territory
Six states and the District of Columbia have included provisions in which the numeric criteria for bacteria
standards do not apply where CSOs and storm water discharges are likely to result in violations:
Delaware
District of Columbia
Iowa
Michigan
Missouri
North Carolina
Utah
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Twenty-one states have seasonal standards, where the criteria apply only during the swimming season:
Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Detailed Overview
Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 1 Connecticut Class AA 100TC
No single sample to exceed 500 TC. Class AA
waters are not meant for contact recreation.
Class A/SA 33 EN 100TC 33 EN
No single sample may exceed 61 EN. TC value is
monthly moving average. No more than 10% of TC
samples may exceed 500.
Class B/SB 33 EN 200 FC 33 EN
No single sample may exceed 61 EN. No more than
10% of FC single samples may exceed 400.
Comments:
Maine Class AA& (see (see note)
A/SA note)
Note: Bacteria content may be as naturally occurs.
Class B/SB 64 EC 8 EN
For season May 15—September 30. Class B may not
exceed instantaneous level of 427 EC. Class SB may
not exceed instantaneous level of 54 EN.
Class C/SC 142 EC 14 EN
For season May 15-September 30. Class C may not
exceed instantaneous level of 949 EC. Class SC may
not exceed instantaneous level of 94 EN.
Comments:
Massachusetts Class A/SA 20 FC 200 FC
Primary freshwater value based on arithmetic mean.
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 100
and 400, respectively, Marine value may be applied
seasonally.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 1 Massachusetts Class B/SB
200 FC
200 FC
Comments:
New
Hampshire
Comments:
Rhode Island
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Marine value may be applied seasonally.
Class C/SC 1000FC 1000FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 2000.
Class A
47 EC
35 EN
No single sample may exceed 153 EC or 104 EN,
respectively. For "beach," no single sample may
exceed 88 EC. Based on minimum of 3 samples taken
in a 60-day period.
Class B
126 EC
35 EN
Class B
(beaches)
Temporary
Partial Use
No single sample may exceed 406 EC or 104 EN,
respectively. Based on minimum of 3 samples taken
in a 60-day period.
47 EC
No single sample may exceed 88 EC. Based on
minimum of 3 samples taken in a 60-day period.
(none) (none)
(none)
(none)
Class A/SA
100TC
20 FC
70 TC
15FC
Primary values based on median. No more than 10%
of TC samples may exceed 500 and 330, respectively.
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200
and 50, respectively.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 1 Rhode Island Class B/SB 1000 TC 700 TC
Values based on median. No more than 20% and 10%
of TC samples may exceed 2400 and 2300,
respectively.
200 FC 50 FC
Values based on median. No more than 20% and 10%
of FC samples may exceed 500 and 500, respectively.
Class C/SC (see note) (see note)
Note: None in concentrations that would impair any
uses assigned to this class.
Comments: Marine FC criteria are guides pending further research.
Vermont Class A 18 EC
Class B 77 EC
Secretary may waive October 31-April 1.
Comments:
Region 2 New Jersey
Saline Coastal
(SC) Waters
50 FC
Within 1500 ft
of Coastline
35 EN
Freshwater 2
(FW2)
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Region 2 New Jersey
Comments:
New York
FW2 (cont.) 33 EN
No single sample may exceed 61 EN.
Saline Estuary 1
(SE1) and SC 200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
1500 ft-3 mi
from shoreline 35 EN
No single sample may exceed 104 EN.
Saline Estuary 2
(SE2) 770 FC
Saline Estuary 3
(SE3) 1500FC
Mainstem Delaware River and Delaware Bay:
Zones
1C, ID, IE, 6 200 FC
Zone 2 200 FC 770 FC
Primary RM 133.4-117.81; secondary RM 133.4-
108.4
Zones 3,4 770 FC
Zone 5 200 FC 770 FC
Primary RM 59.5-48.2; secondary RM 78.8-59.5
Class AA 50 TC
Value based on median. No more than 20% of TC
samples may exceed 240. Standards apply during
periods of disinfection.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 2 New York
Class A
Class B/SB
Class C/SC
Class D/SD
Class I
Class A-Special
(A-S)
Fresh Surface
Water
2400 TC
200 FC
TC value based on median. No more than 20% of TC
samples may exceed 20,000.
2400 TC
200 FC
2400 TC
200 FC
TC values based on median. No more than 20% of TC
samples may exceed 5000.
2400 TC
200 FC
2400 TC
200 FC
TC values based on median. No more than 20% of TC
samples may exceed 5000.
2400 TC
200 FC
2400 TC
200 FC
TC values based on median. No more than 20% of TC
samples may exceed 5000. Criteria apply only to
Class D waters. There are no bacterial criteria for
Class SD waters. Class SD waters are not meant for
recreational purposes.
10000 TC
2000 FC
1000 TC
200 FC
Comments:
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
15
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 2 Puerto Rico
Class SA
Class SB
Class SC
Class SD
Class SE
Comments:
Virgin Islands Class A
Class B
Class C
Comments:
(see note)
Note: May not be altered except by natural causes.
35 EN
200 FC
35 EN for "intensely used waters"; otherwise, 200
FC. No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed
400.
10,000 TC
2000 FC
No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 4000.
10,000 TC
2000 FC
No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 4000.
(see note)
Note: None of the parameters may be altered, except
by natural causes.
(see
note)
Note: Existing natural conditions are not to be
changed.
70 FC
100FC
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
16
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 3 Delaware
Comments:
District of
Columbia
Comments:
Maryland
Comments:
100 ENf
100 ENt
The criteria are valid only under conditions
characterized by the absence of rainfall-induced
runoff. These values are Delaware's water quality
standards.
193 ENf
155 ENf
These are Delaware's 1997 Recreational Water
Quality Guidelines for bathing beaches. No single
freshwater sample may exceed 360 EN. No single
marine sample may exceed 2,212 EN, or 460 EN
within one-half mile of Indian River Inlet.
fEPA has not yet approved these criteria.
200 FCf lOOOFCf
Numeric standard for FC, DO, turbidity, and
unionized NH3 do not apply for 24 hr following high
flow conditions.
fEPA has not yet approved these criteria.
200 FC 200 FC 200 FC 200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Pennsylvania Bacl
Bac2
Bac3
200 FC
Swimming season (May 1-September 30). 2000 FC
applies during the rest of the year.
5000 FC
No more than 20% of samples may exceed 5000 FC.
No more than 5% of samples may exceed 20,000 FC.
5000 FC
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coll); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
17
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary [ Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 3 Pennsylvania Bac4 770 FC
Delaware River from head of tide to Burlington Bristol
Bridge.
Bac 5 200 FC
Delaware River from Burlington Bristol Bridge to
Pennsylvania-Delaware line.
Comments:
Virginia 200IFC 200 FC 20.H£ ™.F9.
Based on two or more samples over 30 days. No
sample may exceed a maximum of 1000 FC.
Comments:
West Virginia Categories A&C 200FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Ohio River 2000 FC
(Category C)
For nonrecreation season November-April only.
Comments:
Region 4 Alabama 2. °..0. ££ ?®*FC 1W.*9. 19.9.??
Primary applies year-round. Secondary applies for out
of season (October-May). Out of season mean 2000
FC; 4000 FC sample maximum for freshwater and
marine waters.
Comments:
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
18
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region 4 Florida
Comments:
Georgia
Comments:
Kentucky
Comments:
Freshwater
Marine
Region
State
Class
Primary
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
200 FC
200 FC
No more than 10% FC samples may exceed 400; 800
FC on any one day. 1000 TC maximum for monthly
average. No more than 20% of TC single samples
may exceed 1000. 2400 TC maximum on any one
day. Based on minimum of 10 samples.
200 FC 200 FC
100FC
200 FC
Primary applies year-round. Secondary applies for out
of season (October-May). Out of season, 1000 FC;
4000 FC sample maximum. Based on minimum of 4
samples.
200 FC 1000FC
For May-October; no more than 20% of FC samples
may exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. Out of
season, secondary contact criteria used for primary
waters.
Mississippi
Recreation 200 FC 200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Fish & Wildlife 200 FC 2000 FC
200 FC
2000 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
From November to April, secondary applies and no
more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 4000.
Comments:
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. colt); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
19
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 4 North Carolina Class SA 14 FC
(shellfishing)
Based on median value. No more than 10% of FC
samples may exceed 43 in those areas most probably
exposed to fecal contamination during the most
unfavorable hydrographic and pollution conditions.
Class B/SB
(Primary Recreation, 200 FC 200 FC
FreshYTidal Salt)
No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Class C/SC 200 FC 200 FC
(Secondary - - - •
N° more than 20% °f FC samPles may exceed 400'
Violations are expected immediately following periods
of rainfall in segments where uncontrollable nonpoint
source pollution prevents attainment.
Comments: ^^^
South Carolina Class FW/SA 200 FC 200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Class SB 1000 FC
No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 2000.
Comments: ___^___
Tennessee Recreation 200 FC
Based on minimum of 10 samples. No single FC
sample may exceed 1000.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. colt); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
20
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Region 4 Tennessee
Comments:
Domestic Water 1000 FC
Supply
Based on a minimum of 10 samples. No single FC
sample may exceed 5000.
Fish & Wildlife 1000 FC
Based on a minimum of 10 samples. No single FC
sample may exceed 5000.
Region 5 Illinois
Comments:
Indiana
Comments:
Michigan
Comments:
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Lake Michigan 20 FC
125 EC
For season April through October. May not exceed
235 EC.
130 EC
200 FC
May be exceeded if due to uncontrollable nonpoint
sources. Primary standard can be temporarily
suspended due to flood, accident, or emergencies that
affect a sewer or wastewater treatment system. Can be
suspended November 1-April 30.
The EC value is used for ambient monitoring; the FC value is used for
assessing effluent discharges.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
21
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary ] Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 5 Minnesota
Class A
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Criterion applies only during the March 1-Qctober 31
season.
Class B
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 2000.
Criterion applies only during the March 1-October 31
season.
Comments:
Ohio
Lake Erie &
Ohio River Uses
200 FC
126 EC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
No more than 10% of EC samples may exceed 235.
Based on not less than 5 samples taken during any
30-day period.
Rest of state
1000FC
126 EC
5000 FC
576 EC
Comments:
Wisconsin
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 2000
and 5000, respectively. No more than 10% of EC
samples may exceed 298 [primary] and 576
[secondary].
Both Lake Erie and the Ohio River are designated as bathing waters. For
each designation, at least one of the two bacterial standards (FC or EC)
must be met. These criteria apply outside the mixing zone.
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Specific water segments have variances which allow
1000FC.
Comments:
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
22
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 6 Arkansas
Comments:
Lousiana
Comments:
New Mexico
Comments:
Oklahoma
Comments:
200 FC 1000 FC
No more than 10% of FC sample may exceed 400 and
2000, respectively. For extraordinary resource waters,
primary standard always applies; for other waters,
primary standard in effect April l-September30. Rest
of year, secondary applies.
200 FC 1000FC
200 FC
1000 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400
and 2000, respectively.
200 FC 1000 FC
Select Segments:
No single sample may exceed 400 FC or 2000 FC,
respectively.
100 FC
No single sample may exceed 200 FC
200 FC
126 EC
33 EN
Narrative
For May-September; rest of year, secondary narrative
applies. No more than 10% of FC samples may
exceed 400.
Adopted WQS to allow choice o/FC, EC, EN.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
23
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Region 6 Texas
200 FC 2000 FC
200 FC
2000 FC
No more than 10% of samples may exceed 400 FC. If
10 or fewer samples collected, no single sample may
exceed 400 FC and 4000 FC, respectively.
Houston Ship Channel 168 EN
Comments:
Region 7 Iowa
Comments:
Kansas
Comments:
Missouri
Comments:
No more than 10% of EN samples (if more than 10
samples) or a single sample (if fewer than 10 samples)
may exceed 500. This criterion applies for two
segments of the Houston Ship Channel.
Texas Department of Health uses most probable number (MPN)
methodology; Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission uses
membrane filtration (MF) methodology.
200 FC
For April 1-October 31 season. Excepted when
waters are materially affected by surface runoff, but
FC levels downstream from discharge may not be
>200 more than the background level upstream.
200 FC 2000 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Primary contact use applies April 1-October 31.
Secondary applies year-round.
Classified surface -waters may be excluded from the application of the
numeric criteria for fecal coliform -when stream flow exceeds 50% of the
estimated 2-year flood'flow.
200 FC
For periods when the stream or lake is not affected by
storm water runoff. Applies April 1-October 30.
State applies FC WQC to designated losing streams also, but on a year-
round basis.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
24
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 7 Nebraska
Comment:
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Applies May 1- September 30.
Region 8 Colorado
Comments:
200 FC 2000 FC
Montana
Class A
50 FC
Class B-E 200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Comments:
North Dakota
Comments:
South Dakota
Comments:
200 FC
Only during recreation season May 1-September 30.
200 FC 1000 FC
No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 200
and 1000, respectively. Any one FC sample may not
exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. Criteria apply
May 1-September 30.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. colt); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
25
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 8 Utah
Comments:
Wyoming
Comments:
Class 2A
1000 TC
200 FC
Class 2B
Failure of stream to meet WQS when flow is
unusually high is not a cause for action if discharger is
meeting permit requirements.
5000 TC
200 FC
200 FC 1000FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400
and 2000, respectively. For recreational season May 1
-September 30.
Region 9 American
Samoa
Comments:
Arizona
Comments:
100 FC 100 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200.
130 EC 1000 FC
Single sample maximum of 580 EC in primary. No
more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400 and
2000, respectively. Limits of 200 FC also apply to
secondary waters that are effluent-dominated.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
26
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 9 California
North Coastal
Region 50 FC 50 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
SF Bay Region 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC
240 TC 240 TC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
33ENf
126 ECf
fMaximum EN and EC limits vary by level of use.
Central Coast 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC
Region "
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Los Angles 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC
Region
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Central Valley 200 FC
Region
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Fplsom Lake: 100 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200.
Lahontan 20 FC
Region
o ...... [[[
(Eagle Lake Susan No more ^^ 10o/0 of pc samples may exceed 400.
River, Lake Tahoe)
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 9 California
Colorado River
Basin Region
200 FC
33 EN
126 EC
630 EC
165 EN
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Also maximum limits for EN and EC vary by level of
use.
Santa Ana
Region
200 FC 2000 FC
200 FC
2000 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400;
100 TC maximum in lakes and streams designated as
domestic water supply.
San Diego
Region
Ocean Plan
200 FC 2000 FC
33 EN
126 EC
200 FC
35 EN
1000TC
200 FC
2000 FC
No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 1000 in
bays and estuaries. No more than 10% of FC samples
may exceed 400.
Shore 24 EN
12 EN mean over 6 months.
Comments:
Hawaii
200 FC
VENf
Inland: based on minimum of 10 samples. No more
than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
f Marine: based on minimum of 5 samples.
Comments:
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
28
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Region State
Region 9 Guam
Ml/S I/Shellfish (see
note)
(see note)
Note: TC may not be increased from natural
conditions at any time.
M2/S2
M3/S3
70 FC
70 FC
Values based on arithmetic mean. No FC samples may
exceed 400 at any time.
200 FC
200 FC
Comments:
Values based on arithmetic mean. No FC sample may
exceed 400 at any time.
All Guam standards based on a minimum of 4 samples.
Common-
wealth of the
Northern
Mariana
Islands
Comments:
All waters
Class AA
Class 1
Class A
Class 2
200 FC
No FC samples may
33 EN
125 EC
90 EN
300 EC
All Mariana Islands standards based on
200 FC
exceed 400 at any time.
35 EN
35 EN
125 EN
a minimum of 5 samples.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coll); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
29
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region 9 Nevada Class A and B 200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Waters not listed below 200 FC 1000 FC
More stringent of the following:
For 1000 FC, no more than 20% of samples may
exceed 2400 FC. Annual geometric mean FC
concentration may not exceed characteristics of natural
conditions by more than 200 FC, nor 400 FC in a
single sample. For primary, no more than 10% of FC
samples may exceed 400.
Lake Tahoe and
Tributaries and 126 EC
Humboldt River ' " ".""'.' ' '" """"'"
Basjn Lake Tahoe also has FC limits between 5 and 32
(median) for offshore and undeveloped lake shore.
Humboldt River Basin has single value of 406 EC.
Comments:
Trust Territory Classes AA and
1 (shellfish) 70 FC 70 FC
Values based on median. No FC single sample may
exceed 230.
Classes 33 EN
AAand A " '
No EN smgle.sample may exceed 60.
Classes A, B,
and 2 200 FC 200 FC
No FC single sample may exceed 400.
Comments: All Trust Territory standards based on a minimum of 10 samples.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater Marine
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Region Alaska
10
100 FC 200 FC
100FC
200 FC
Comments:
No more than 1 sample, or 10% of the samples if there
are more than 10 samples, may exceed 200 FC and
400 FC for both freshwater and marine, primary and
secondary, respectively.
Alaska designates all waters for all uses, and the most stringent criteria
must be used. Therefore, for freshwater, the drinking -water use criterion
of 20 FC usually drives most NPDESpermit actions, 303(d) listings, and
TMDL development. For marine -waters, the most stringent bacterial
criterion is for the seafood processing use = 20 FC (no more than 10% of
the samples may exceed 40 FC). Even though Alaska has 100 FC/200 FC
as its recreation criteria, more stringent criteria for other use categories
take precedence.
Idaho
Comments:
Oregon
Comments:
50 FC
200 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200
and 400, respectively. May not exceed 500 and 800,
respectively, at any time. Levels apply during season
May 1-September 30 for primary only; secondary
applies all other times.
126 EC
HFC
No freshwater single sample may exceed 406 EC. No
more than 10% of FC marine samples may exceed 43.
For estuarine waters other than shellfish growing,
same criterion as freshwater criterion. For estuarine
waters with shellfish, same criterion as marine.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
31
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Freshwater Marine
Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary
Region State
Region Washington Class AA
10 (extraordinary) 50 FC 14 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 100
and 43, respectively.
Class A 100FC 14FC
(excellent) " " "
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200
and 43, respectively.
Class B 200 FC 100 FC
(good)
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400
and 200, respectively. Only designated for secondary
contact.
Class C ' 200 FC
(fair)
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400.
Only designated for secondary contact.
Lake Class 50 FC
No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 100.
Coleville Conf. Class I 8 EN
Tribes (extraordinary)
No single sample may exceed 35 EN.
Class II 16 EN
(excellent)
No single sample may exceed 75 EN.
Class El 33 EN
(good)
No single sample may exceed 150 EN. Only
designated for secondary contact.
Lake Class 33 EN
No single sample may exceed 150 EN.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
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Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region
Region State
Class
Freshwater
Primary Secondary
Marine
Primary Secondary
Region Washington
10 (Coleville Conf.
Tribes)
Class IV
(special resource
waters)
(see
note)
Note: May not exceed natural conditions. Applies for
both primary and secondary waters.
Comments: Chehalis and Puyallup tribal -water quality standards are identical to
Washington's standards for bacteria.
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Offices and Office of Science and Technology, Standards and
Applied Science Division.
Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms.
All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric
mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted.
33
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