Columbia Beach

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Arundel Rivers Federation monitors a variety of recreational and stream locations in the South, West, and Rhode rivers every Thursday from the week before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sample results are generally reported on Fridays and Swim Guide is updated as soon as possible to reflect the latest results. Samples are measured for Enterococci bacteria, which serve as an indicator bacteria for pathogens in the water. Analysis is performed using the membrane filtration method (see http://water.epa.gov/scitech/methods/cwa/bioindicators/upload/method_1600.pdf). The Environmental Protection Agency has set a threshold of 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters (cfu/100ml) as the single test limit for weekly testing. Samples recording less than 104 cfu/100ml are therefore considered "safe levels." Samples recording 104 cfu/100ml or greater are considered "unsafe" due to the increased risk of illness. Anne Arundel County Department of Health also advises advises that after a 1/2" rainfall, all Anne Arundel County beaches are under a no swimming/no direct water contact advisory for 48 hours due to predicted elevated bacteria levels from rainwater runoff and increased health risks.