1. Recreational Water Sampling

2. References A.Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality by Health & Welfare Canada 1992 B.CFP 213 CF Health Manual

3. Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality Recreational waters refer to those normal natural waters used not only for primary contact activities, such as swimming, windsurfing, and waterskiing, but also for secondary contact activities, such as boating and fishing.

4. Definition of Health Hazard Any disease which can be transmitted by water can be transmitted and contracted during swimming if conditions are favourable. Medical supervision of swimming facilities is of the utmost importance to the prevention of disease.

5. Recreational Water Requirements A.Environmental Health Assessments B.Epidemiological Evidence C.Indicator Organism Limits D.Presence of Pathogens

6. Environmental Health Assessments An annual environmental health assessment should be carried out prior to the bathing season on the watershed or the area from which water flows to a recreational area, as well as on the recreational area itself.

7. Epidemiological Evidence The local health authorities responsible for making recommendations for a recreational area should, wherever possible, establish surveillance for bather illness or injuries. This can be established by comprehensive epidemiological studies or by formal and informal reporting from physicians and hospital emergency departments.

8. Indicator Organism Limits An indicator organism or organisms should be chosen by the local health authority in consultation with the laboratory microbiologists for each area. It is recommended that one of the following indicator organisms be used for routine monitoring of recreational water quality – enterococci, Escherichia coli, or fecal coliforms.

9. Presence of Pathogens The local health authorities should take action when pathogenic organisms are identified in sufficient quantity or frequency to be considered a hazard. Aeromonas spp, Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, Camplyobacter spp, Giardia spp, human viruses, and toxic phytoplankton.

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