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In accordance with State
statutes, the Monterey County Health Department monitors ocean
water at public beaches and water contact sports areas. Water
samples are collected from sites that are: 1) visited by over
50,000 people annually; and 2) adjacent to storm drains
(including rivers, creeks and streams). These samples are
analyzed for bacteriological "indicator" organisms. Elevated
concentrations of indicator organisms are suggestive of
contamination by human sewage and other wastes which may
result in human disease. When bacterial indicator organisms
exceed the State guidelines for beaches, the County Health
Department takes appropriate actions to ensure that the public
is safe, and that the causes of contamination are
addressed.
Ocean water quality standards for
public beaches establish numeric limits for total coliform
bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria, and Enterococcus
bacteria. These organisms do not necessarily cause disease in
humans. They are good indicators of microbiological
contamination and are used as a substitute by health
authorities for disease causing organisms (such as hepatitis,
dysentery, cholera, etc) that are likely to be present in
sewage but are difficult to analyze for directly. State-wide
standards establish levels of bacteria that should not be
exceeded at public beaches or public water contact sports
areas.
Contact with contaminated ocean
water may cause illness.
Do not swim in or have
contact with water coming from storm drains. Such water may be
contaminated with bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or chemicals,
and contact with storm drain water may cause illness. Do not
enter water after rainstorms as bacterial levels increase with
the increased runoff into the bay.
Beaches are sampled Monthly from November to April, then
weekly between April 1 and October 31 of each calendar year.
If you have questions regarding this page, you can email Susan Rimando or John
Ramirez.
Criteria for single samples
|
Indicator Organism |
Maximum contaminant level (number
bacteria per 100 milliliters) |
|
Total Coliform bacteria |
10000 (Ratio of fecal/total coliform
bacteria cannot exceed .1, but must have a minimum of
1,000 total
coliform) |
|
Fecal coliform |
400 mcl/100 milliliters |
|
Enterococcus |
104 mcl/100 milliliters |
Criteria for 30-day Logarithmic Mean
Average
| Indicator
organism |
Maximum
contaminant level (number per 100 milliliters) |
| Total
coliform bacteria |
1000
mcl/100 milliliters |
| Fecal
coliform bacteria (E.
coli) |
200
mcl/100 milliliters |
| Enterococcus |
35
mcl/100 milliliters | |
