Arundel Rivers Federation Water Quality Report:
Six sites did not meet water quality standards this week: Glen Isle, Hardesty’s Cove, Wilelinor, Hillsmere Beach, Holly Hill Harbor, and Upper Beards Creek. Major rain events can affect bacteria levels and may be a reason for the increased bacteria counts at some sites this week.
For the sites that did meet standards, bear in mind that swimming is not recommended after a major rain event – which we are currently in the middle of. The amount of rain we have had since Thursday morning has probably impacted the measured bacteria levels and will continue to do.
As a reminder, these samples are collected Thursday morning and go through a 24 hour processing at Anne Arundel Community College. Rainfall can impact bacteria results (often increasing bacteria in the water). We are testing for enterococcus, which is an indicator of E coli. We follow the EPA and State recommendation of a threshold of 104cfu (colony forming units).
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Additional information for water quality reporting may be found by visiting Anne Arundel County Department of Health Recreational Water Quality monitoring, The Swim Guide, and State of Maryland’s Department of the Environment.