Bacteria Fecal coliform bacteria live solely in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Although the bacteria are not harmful to man, the presence of these organisms in water may indicate possible sewage contamination and the presence of pathogens. These pathogenic bacteria pose a significant threat to human health. Contaminated water can cause disease either through direct contact, which threatens recreational water users, or by ingestion of contami nated shellfish. The pathogens may cause diseases such as dysentery and typhoid fever.
Areas polluted by fecal coliform or other harmful bacteria are off limits to shellfish harvesting.
Livestock, inadequate wastewater treatment plants, leaky septic systems, sanitary landfills, and stormwater runoff are common sources of fecal coliform and other bacteria. Although states routinely monitor the waters and shellfish in their estuaries and along their coasts for high levels of specific bacteria, they cannot monitor every cove, beach, and inlet. Volunteer monitoring data for bacteria can significantly improve the state's assessment of waters which are safe for water sports and recreational and commer cial shellfish harvesting.