Beach Monitoring Program
3 Capital Hill Room 203
Providence, RI 02908-5097
(401)222-7727 or (401)222-2751
Amie Parris - Beach Coordinator
amie.parris@health.ri.gov
For questions or comments on the Beach Monitoring
Program site, please e-mail
RIBeaches@health.ri.gov
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FECAL COLIFORM FACT SHEET
Q. What are fecal coliforms?
A. Enterococci are bacteria that come from the intestines of all warm-blooded animals. When sewage is present in the water, enterococci will also be present. In addition to enterococci, many other water-borne pathogens may also be present in untreated sewage. These pathogens can cause a wide range of health problems including ear, nose, and throat problems, gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, and respiratory illness. Because there are so many other potential pathogens and testing for all of them is not feasible, we use enterococci as an indicator of the potential presence of these pathogens. Enterococci is a better indicator of the risk of illness than fecal coliform, which HEALTH had used in the past.
Q. Does the bacteria always come from human sewage?
A. Not necessarily. Cats, dogs, ducks and sea birds may be contributors, as can rainwater run-off containing animal waste from farms and wildlife, such as deer. In addition, these bacteria exist naturally in the aquatic environment. Unfortunately, this fact confuses the interpretation of results because the test for enterococci can't differentiate between bacteria of human origin and that which comes from other animals.
Q. What is my risk of getting sick if I swim in water with high enterococci counts?
A. In areas where there has been a discharge of untreated human waste or human waste is suspected to be in the water and the area has been posted by the Health Department, there is a greater possibility for you to get sick. It is important that a swimmer use common sense. For instance, cuts and scrapes are good places for disease causing bacteria to enter the body. Small children are sometimes more susceptible to illness when they inadvertently swallow contaminated water. Swimming after heavy rainfall should be discouraged for 48 hours after the rainfall or until the water clears.
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