Escherichia coli and Recreational Water
Quality in Vermont

One of Vermont's great treasures, valued by residents and visitors alike, is its abundance of recreational waters.  Maintaining the quality of these waters in view of increasing demands on surface waters and adjacent lands is essential.  Of particular concern is fecal contamination of recreational waters and the associated risks to human health. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium commonly used as an indicator of water quality for freshwaters.  E. coli's natural habitat is the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, and although typically non-pathogenic, its presence in water indicates fecal contamination and the potential for waterborne disease.

This web site provides:

• Background information on bacterial water quality

• Summary data from E. coli monitoring of Vermont public beaches and rivers

• New data on the seasonal and spatial distribution of E. coli in the Mad River watershed in relation to streamflow and land use

• A comparison of current and proposed Vermont Water Quality standards

• A description of E. coli enumeration method

• Links to related web sites

• A list of contributors to this site

[ Water Quality ] [ Public Beaches/Rivers ] [ Seasonal/Spatial Distribution ] [ Standards Comparisons ] [ E. coli Enumeration ] [ Related Web Sites ] [ Contributors ]