Recreational Beach Monitoring
Program
301-475-4330 Ext. SWIM
Good beach water
quality is important for the safety and health of
swimmers.
St. Mary’s County Health Department Environmental
Health Services Division monitors water quality at
15 local beaches. This program provides residents
and visitors to St. Mary’s County with current
information about water quality so they can make
informed decisions about using these beaches for
recreational swimming.
While swimming in natural waters is never risk free,
routine monitoring for bacterial levels provides a
surveillance system to identify potential health
risks that may impact beach water quality.
What health risks are associated with poor water
quality?
Disease-carrying microorganisms or pathogens
occurring naturally or associated with untreated
sewage and animal waste may potentially pose a
health threat to swimmers. These microorganisms are
invisible to the naked eye and can be found in the
form of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or worms.
Direct exposure to pathogenic organisms might cause
illnesses such as gastroenteritis, with symptoms
such as fever, diarrhea, and rashes. Because the
number of potential pathogens is too vast to monitor
individually, indicator organisms, such as Enterococci and E. coli are monitored and used to
assess recreational water quality.
Recreational beach monitoring takes place from
Memorial Day to Labor Day. Health department staff
takes samples weekly, biweekly or monthly according
to regulatory guidelines provided by the Maryland
Department of the Environment and local discretion.
Disease-carrying microorganisms or pathogens
occurring naturally or associated with untreated
sewage and animal waste may potentially pose a
health threat to swimmers. These microorganisms are
invisible to the naked eye and can be found in the
form of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or worms.
Direct exposure to pathogenic organisms might cause
illnesses such as gastroenteritis, with symptoms
such as fever, diarrhea, and rashes. Because the
number of potential pathogens is too vast to monitor
individually, indicator organisms, such as Enterococci and E. coli are monitored and used to
assess recreational water quality.
When does monitoring happen?
Recreational
Beach Monitoring Program 
For local and national beach
information
