Excessive fecal coliform counts can thus indicate potential problems for both aquatic and human health. Under California law, fecal coliform bacteria counts should not exceed 200 per 100 milliliters in swimming areas. As with nutrients, not all Snapshot Day 2000 sites were tested for fecal coliform. The fecal coliform bacteria count at a site on Pilarcitos Creek in San Mateo County was nearly 60 times the level considered safe for swimming. Photo Documentation Taking photos of monitoring sites provides information about the type and extent of riparian vegetation, water level, and visible sources of pollution such as trash in the stream.
Photos can also help future volunteers locate a particular site for testing.
All Snapshot Day 2000 volunteers photographed the conditions at their test sites. Many of these photos are included in this report. Conclusion Volunteers on the Carmel River, Monterey County. Data from one day of monitoring is not enough to assess the water quality of a sample site, a stream, or a watershed. Meaningful interpretation of data requires years of regular sampling and must take into account variables such as time of day, seasonal changes, and other factors.