Maine municipalities, State Parks and community-based groups are taking water samples at coastal swim beaches for Enterococci bacteria, an indicator of fecal contamination which can cause recreational water-borne illnesses. The data are being used by municipalities, State agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in their efforts to promote public safety.

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What is the current status of the program?
After 7 years of monitoring, the program has grown from four beaches to 60 beach management areas being monitored in 2008. These include:

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What criteria are used to determine the health of a beach?
Several relevant factors are considered, including water quality history, potential or actual sources of pollution, current conditions and water test results. Tools used for assessing conditions at a beach include sanitary shoreline surveys, watershed surveys, a Risk Assessment Guidance Document and water quality special studies. Environmental impacts considered include nearby waste disposal, storm water runoff, public restroom facilities, the presence of dogs or wildlife on the beach, beach usage statistics and a history of previous advisories/closures or contamination. To download a PDF copy of the complete matrix and scoring system, click here.

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How is the water tested?
There are currently two recommended methods and protocols for testing coastal beach water quality.

The indicator organism Enterococci is tested by either of two methods: the "Enterolert" product, using Quantitray MPN technology, or the membrane filtration 24-hour method. The Maine Healthy Beaches Program uses the Enterolert method for analyzing samples. Results are usually available 26-34 hours after sample collection.

Routine monitoring of Coastal beach sites is conducted weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day in Maine. Testing protocols include measuring air and water temperatures, salinity, recording present weather conditions and any other observations that might relate to water quality (e.g., recent heavy rain, seals on rocks, oil on surface of water, rotten egg odor, etc.) Using sample tongs, water samples for bacterial examination are collected in sterile plastic bags (such as Whirlpac bags) or sterile bottles, and protected against contamination at all times. Bags are labeled and stored in a cooler at 4-10° C. Samples must be analyzed within 6 hours of being collected.

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What kind of illnesses can someone get from contaminated beach water?
The most commonly reported symptom of water-related illnesses is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, and E. coli. For more information about these bacteria and parasites, see the CDC Healthy Swimming Web site.

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 What are the symptoms of a water-related illness?
Vomiting, sinus infections, stomachache and other flu-like symptoms can be caused by contact with contaminated water. Other illnesses can include skin, ear, respiratory, eye, and wound infections.

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How are water-related illnesses spread?
They may be spread by swallowing or having contact with contaminated water at lakes, rivers or the ocean. The water can become contaminated by fecal matter which carries harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses. This unsanitary condition can be due to several possible causes:

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What happens when there is an incidence of water-related illness at the beach?
The Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention's guidelines for reporting and communication include:

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