Why does Wake County sample recreational waters for elevated levels of E. coli and Enterococci bacteria?
Pursuant to EPA recommendations, Wake County adopted Regulations Governing Public Recreational Waters and Beaches in 2000, to protect swimmers from bacteria in recreational water. These regulations establish levels of indicator bacteria, E. coli and Enterococci, which should not be exceeded in order to protect swimmers. Most disease-causing microbes exist at very low levels and are difficult and expensive to detect. Indicator organisms are used to help identify where fecal contamination has occurred and, therefore, where disease-causing microbes may be present. Both bacteria are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, which includes humans.
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- Why does Wake County sample recreational waters for elevated levels of E. coli and Enterococci bacteria?
