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Map bar plots are plotted on the following scale   indicates no data available. | |
Fecal Coliform Time Series for 2002 |
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Map bar plots are plotted on the following scale indicates no data available. | |
Fecal Coliform Time Series for 2002 |
The adjacent map summarizes the fecal coliform bacterial levels that
have been measured in Boulder Creek during the spring and summer of 2002.
If your browser is javascript enabled the location of the sampling site will
be displayed in the text box below the map as you mouse over the data
plot or station marker. Select on the map plot or station marker to view
detailed time series plots and other information on Fecal Coliform Bacteria
observed at that site. General Information on Fecal Coliform Bacteria
is available below, information on other water quality
parameters is available from the
BASIN Water Quality Page
Fecal Coliform Bacteria is found in the intestinal tracts of mammals. High concentrations of the bacteria in water or sludge suggest the presence of disease-causing organisms, and may be caused by septic tank failure, poor pasture and animal keeping practices, pet waste, and urban runoff. To measure fecal coliform bacteria, water samples are collected in sterilized containers, filtered, and incubated at a certain temperature. The resulting bacterial colonies that form are counted and recorded as the number of colony producing units per 100 ml of water (CPU/100 ml). Safe drinking water should have fecal coliform counts of 0 CPU/100 ml. For safe swimming, concentrations less than 200 CPU/100 ml is desirable, and for boating, less than 1000 CPU/100 ml is desirable. However, these standards may vary at the local, state, and federal level. | |||||||||
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