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Title

Standard Operating Procedure EAP092, Version 1.3: BEACH Program Bacteria Sampling

 
Publication number Date Published
21-03-207April 2021
VIEW NOW Standard Operating Procedure EAP092, Version 1.3: BEACH Program Bacteria Sampling (Number of pages: 11) (Publication Size: 551KB)




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Author(s) Ruffner, J.
Description This document is the Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication, & Health (BEACH) program’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the collection of marine and freshwater samples for laboratory analysis of bacteria. The goal of the BEACH program is to reduce the risk of disease to users of recreational saltwater beaches. The program monitors bacteria levels at popular, high risk beaches during the swimming season; and notifies the public when there is an increased risk of illness from swimming.

Typically the BEACH program obtains marine water samples for enterococcus bacteria analysis. Of the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), enterococcus has been shown to have the highest correlation with swimmer related illness. This SOP is appropriate for the collection of other types of FIB such as fecal coliform and Escherichia coli.

This SOP includes the procedures for sample collection by hand or with an extension pole.
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Contact Julianne Ruffner at 360-407-6764 or jruf461@ecy.wa.gov
Keywords marine water monitoring, enterococcus, standard operating procedures, beach, fecal coliform, bacteria, escherichia coli
WEB PAGE BEACH Program