Microbial sampling variables and recreational water quality standards.

Brenniman, Gary R.; Rosenberg, Susan; Northrop, R L

doi:10.2105/ajph.71.3.283

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Given the marked variations in microbial indicator densities in beach-water within a day or on different sampling dates, it is imperative that health-related microbiological monitoring of bathing waters should be carried out on weekend days rather than week-days, when the greatest number of bathers are exposed to the water, as previously suggested by Brenniman, Rosenberg and Northrop [6]. This has been the practice in Hong Kong since early 1989.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have indicated that an understanding of the time-related variations in microbial indicator densities in beach-waters is essential for properly assessing the microbiological quality and swimming-associated health risk levels of bathing beaches [5][6][7]. The purpose of this paper is to (a) describe the daily and hourly variations in microbial indicator densities at Hong Kong beaches; (b) evaluate the importance of tide and bather numbers in causing such fluctuations; and (c) explain some of the observations by elucidating the sources of the indicator microorganisms in bathing waters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variations in microbial indicator densities in beach waters and health-related assessment of bathing water quality

Cheung¹,

Chang²,

Hung³

1991

Epidemiol. Infect.

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Daily and hourly variations in microbial indicators densities in the beach-waters of Hong Kong have been described. The levels of Escherichia coli at a number of beaches was observed to be influenced by tide, and for staphylococci, by bather numbers. The tidal influence was most obvious during spring tides; and for the effect of bathers, during neap tides. Both organisms are present in high densities in external sources of faecal pollution of bathing beaches, with the average staphylococci to E. coli ratios being 0.04-3. Staphylococci may serve as an indicator of bather density and the risk of cross-infection amongst bathers (rather than as another indicator of faecal contamination) when the average staphylococci to E. coli ratio for a bathing beach is considerably higher than 3. The variability of microbial indicator densities means the routine sampling of bathing beaches should be carried out on weekend days with maximum numbers of swimmers exposed to the water, and spread throughout the bathing season.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variations in microbial indicator densities in beach waters and health-related assessment of bathing water quality

Cheung¹,

Chang²,

Hung³

1991

Epidemiol. Infect.

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“…Concentrations of bacterial indicators in bathing waters are considered signi cant in relation to parameters such as time of sampling, season and location of collection (4)(5)(6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal fluctuation of bacterial indicators in coastal waters

Maipa¹

2001

Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease

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The relationships between number of coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, fecal streptococci, location, time and seasonal factors in marine environments of northwest Greece were investigated over a period of 4 years. Research focused on measuring and comparing bacteria in coastal marine waters undergoing heavy bacterial charge during the tourist season. Microbiological pollution was increased during the summer period. Seasonal uctuation of the fecal indicator bacteria was noted and concerned mainly E. coli and fecal coliforms, which are the most sensitive indicators in the marine environment.

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“…The relationship between coliform density and increased risk of disease to the public health remains unclear (e.g. Stevenson, 1953;Moore, 1959;Henderson, 1968;Geldreich, 1972;Smith, Twedt & Flannigan, 1973;Carney, Carty & Colwell, 1975;Cabelli, 1979;Gerba et al 1980;Brenniman, Rosenberg & Northrop, 1981). This has led to large variations in water quality standards governing recreational waters where primary contact takes place (Foster, Hanes & Lord, 1971).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of coliform variability in the assessment of the sanitary quality of recreational waters

Fleisher

1985

J. Hyg.

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SUMMARYThe most widely used indicator of the sanitary quality of recreational waters is the coliform group of bacteria. Present techniques of coliform enumeration are imprecise, and this fact is too often overlooked in routine water quality surveys as well as in research efforts seeking quantitative relationships between coliform density and the health effects of recreational waters. To illustrate this point, three years of data gathered by the New York City Department of Health as part of their routine beach water sampling programme were re-analysed, taking the limited precision of each coliform estimate into account. Re-analysis showed 56600 of the data were not significantly different (P > 0 05) from the standard being used. This large percentage of the data was of little value in determining the acceptability of the waters being sampled relative to the standard being used and thus represented a substantial waste of time and expense. Of the remaining data, half indicated acceptable water quality and half indicated unacceptable water quality relative to the standard. These three years ofdata, therefore, gave little information on the acceptability of the water quality at this location with respect to the standard being used. The data further suggest significant differences in coliform density within sample dates. It is recommended that in future water quality surveys, or in studies of the health effects of recreational waters as related to coliform density, emphasis should shift from maximizing the number of sample dates to maximizing the number of replicate determinations made per sample date.

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Microbial sampling variables and recreational water quality standards.

Cited by 15 publications

References 12 publications

Variations in microbial indicator densities in beach waters and health-related assessment of bathing water quality

Variations in microbial indicator densities in beach waters and health-related assessment of bathing water quality

Seasonal fluctuation of bacterial indicators in coastal waters

Implications of coliform variability in the assessment of the sanitary quality of recreational waters

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