Water Quality Assessment Criteria for this Report

Beachwatch considers that waters are unsuitable for swimming if: a. the median faecal coliform density exceeds 150 cfu/100 mL for 5 samples taken at regular intervals not exceeding 1 month; or b. the second highest sample contains equal to or greater than 600 cfu/100 mL for 5 samples taken at regular intervals not exceeding 1 month. Beachwatch considers that waters m y be unsuitable for swimming if: a. the median enterococci density exceeds 35 cfu/100 mL for 5 samples taken at regular intervals not exceeding 1 month; or b. the second highest sample contains equal to or greater than 100 cfu/100 mL for 5 samples taken at regular intervals not exceeding 1 month. Beachwatch uses a rolling median (and rolling second highest sample) to calculate the compliance estimates for each beach (see page 5). Note: · Readers should be aware that there is considerable debate in the scientific community on both the absolute and relative usefulness in assessing public health risk of faecal coliforms and enterococci as indicators of faecal contamination. Many technical issues remain to be resolved. · Nevertheless, the EPA considers that the use of faecal coliforms as indicators provides a suitable expression of the disease risks presented by contaminated bathing waters and allows for international comparisons to be made. It will, however, maintain a close monitor of scientific developments in this area