Can we improve E. coli monitoring?
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) acknowledges that on a statewide basis, much can be done to improve beach monitoring and beach closure notification. Though there is no statewide program for swim water quality testing, VTDEC is currently developing a beach monitoring approach that includes: inventorying existing public swimming beaches statewide; enhancing bacterial monitoring efforts to include weekly monitoring and central beach closure notification; investigating sources of contamination; and developing a communication system for all groups performing swim beach monitoring in the state. Under this strategy, VTDEC also plans to review and recommend changes to the present E. coli standard. In 2002, VTDEC submitted a request to the EPA to accomplish these goals. Funds were not approved, but VTDEC hopes to resubmit its proposal to the EPA for 2003. In the absence of a statewide beach closure procedure, most of the entities that monitor swim beaches presently conform to the Department of Health’s Swim Beach Monitoring Guidelines.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) provides another perspective on Vermont’s water quality testing in its Testing the Waters annual report. The report can be read at NRDC.
