The table below lists water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria at marine and freshwater sites in Whatcom County coastal drainages. The freshwater water quality standards that govern Whatcom County are established and regulated by the Department of Ecology and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They are described more fully in Chapter 173-201A of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). The standards for marine water are determined by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Marine Water Standards | Freshwater Standards | Freshwater Standards |
---|---|---|
All Areas | Extraordinary Primary Contact Cain Creek and Birch Bay watersheds | Primary Contact Nooksack, Drayton and Chuckanut watersheds |
Geometric Mean: 14FC/100mL | Geometric Mean: 50FC/100mL | Geometric Mean: 100FC/100mL |
Estimated 90th Percentile: 43FC/100mL | Not more than 10% exceed 100FC/100mL | Not more than 10% exceed 200FC/100mL |