Microbial Contamination of Water Resources in the
Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, Georgia

Georgia EPD Instream Fecal-Coliform Standards

Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) instream fecal-coliform standards are summarized in the following table. Georgia water use classifications and instream fecal coliform standards (modified from Rules of Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6.03; excerpted from http://www.drn.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/pdfdoc/rulesam.pdf) Water use classification Fecal coliform standard (MPN/100 ml) 30-day geometric mean1/ Maximum Standard1/ if water quality and sanitary studies show fecal coliform levels from non-human sources occasionally exceed 200 col/100 ml Drinking-Water Supplies 200 (May-October2/) — 300 in lakes and reservoirs 500 in free flowing freshwater streams 1,000 (Nov-April) 4,000 (Nov-April) — Recreation3/ 100 (Coastal waters) — — 200 (Freshwater) — 300 in lakes and reservoirs 500 in free flowing freshwater streams Fishing 200 (May-October2/) — 300 in lakes and reservoirs 500 in free flowing freshwater streams 1,000 (Nov-April) 4,000 (Nov-April) Scenic River No alteration of natural water quality from any source 1/Geometric mean based on at least four samples collected from a given sampling site over a 30-day period at intervals not less than 24 hours.The geometric mean of a series of N terms is the Nth root of their product. Example: the geometric mean of 2 and 18 is the square root of 36. 2/ May through October is the season when water contact recreation activities are expected to occur. 3/ The State does not encourage swimming in surface waters since a number of factors which are beyond the control of any State regulatory agency contribute to elevated levels of fecal coliform.

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Last Modified: Thursday, 27-May-1999 08:55:20 EDT