Ocean Water Quality Monitoring: More Information

On this page:

• Overview
• Standards for Water Quality Test Results
• Map of Water Quality Monitoring Locations

Overview

Sonoma County has approximately 64 miles of coastal beaches. In order to protect the health of the public, weekly samples are collected and tested between April 1 and October 31 by the Department of Health Services to monitor bacterial levels.

Ocean water samples are collected at beaches that are visited by 50,000 people per year and are adjacent to storm drains, creek or rivers. Seven beaches in Sonoma County meet this criteria.

Weekly Ocean Water Quality Test Results

Standards for Water Quality Test Results

State Standards
Total Coliform (TC): 1,000 per 100 ml if Fecal/Total is > .1;
10,000 per 100 ml if Fecal/Total is < .1
Fecal Coliform (FC): 400 per 100 ml
Enterococcus (ENT): 104 per 100 ml

30 Day Averaging
Total Coliform (TC): 1,000 per 100 ml
Fecal Coliform (FC): 200 per 100 ml
Enterococcus (ENT): 35 per 100 ml

Map of Water Quality Monitoring Locations