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Policies for more information. The US Environmental Protection
Agency recommends that E. coli (Escherichia coli) be used to
monitor the water quality of recreational beaches of the Great
Lakes in order to protect the health of swimmers. (Environmental
Protection Agency, Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -
1986, January 1986.) EPA chose E. coli because it is found in
the intestines of warm blooded animals and historically been
used as an indicator of the presence of animal or human water
products thus, the possible presence of disease causing
organisms. An epidemiology study in Santa Monica Bay, California
conducted in 1996 showed that swimmers experienced fever,
nausea, and gastroenteritis, as well as cold and flu-like
symptoms after swimming in waters found to contain high levels
of bacteria. (How Safe is it to Swim in Santa Monica Bay?
Coastlines, 1, Summer 1996). The criteria