What are ocean waters tested for?
Ocean water is analyzed for three types of “indicator bacteria”, total coliform, fecal coliform or E. coli and enterococcus. These indicator bacteria can be found in the natural environment as well as in the intestinal tract of warm blooded animals. When present, they indicate the possible presence of disease causing bacteria, viruses or protozoa. When results exceed State standards, beaches are posted with warning signs in the vicinity of the high bacteria counts.
