Bathing Beaches Monitoring Program
3 Capitol Hill, Room 203
Providence, RI 02908-5097
(401) 222-2749
Bonnie Blair - Beach Coordinator bonnie.blair@health.ri.gov
For questions or comments on the Bathing Beaches Monitoring
Program site, please e-mail
RIBeaches@health.ri.gov
BEACH SAMPLING INFORMATION
What is bathing water sampling?
Bathing water sampling is the process of taking a small quantity of water from a beach to test for the presence of pathogens. A sterile bottle is opened and filled underwater. Samples are collected in the middle of the water column; no closer to the surface or sediment level than 1 foot.
What does the Health Department sample for?
The Rhode Island Department of Health requires every licensed beach to sample their water and bring the sample to a lab to get analyzed for enterococci. The Rhode Island standard for enterococci is 104 colony forming units (cfu's) per 100 ml of saltwater, and 61 cfu's per 100 ml of freshwater. Any result above the state standard is considered unsafe, and swimmers should refrain from swimming until results return to acceptable levels.
How often is sampling done?
The frequency for sampling licensed beaches varies. Sampling frequencies range from once a week to once a year depending on the beaches individual history. Some beaches are actually exempt from sampling.
How does the Health Department determine how often sampling should be done?
When the bathing beaches program began, all licensed beaches were examined to determine what environmental factors could influence the bathing water. Questionnaires were also sent to all licensed beaches for information regarding bathing load, morphology of beach, and any possible influences which can effect the water quality. Based on this information, a determination was made how often the specific beach should be sampled. Some beaches are considered high risk, and are therefore sampled quite frequently. Others are lower risk, and as a result are sampled less often.
Why are certain beaches exempt from sampling?
Certain licensed beaches are exempt from having their bathing waters sampled. This is due primarily to the open-ocean location of the beaches. Open-ocean beaches are flushed thoroughly during changing of the tides. When bacteria are present in the water, they are flushed out quickly, which may decrease the potential for bathing illnesses. These beaches have historically excellent water quality records and sampling is performed at the majority of these sites by the Department of Environmental Management, as part of their Shellfish Program .
