COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR DETERMINING "ESCHERICHIA COLI" CONCENTRATIONS IN RECREATIONAL WATERS

This paper describes the results of testing for E.Coli at public bathing beaches in Ohio during the recreational season of 1997. Water samples were collected to compare recoveries of E.Coli by use of the modified mTEC, MI and Colilert methods to recoveries obtained by the USEPA-recommended method for recreational waters. Each alternative method was evaluated to determine whether if resulted in the same assessment of recreational water quality as the mTEC method.