NON-OUTFALL SOURCES OF FECAL INDICATOR ORGANISMS AFFECTING THE COMPLIANCE OF COASTAL WATERS WITH DIRECTIVE 76 160/EEC/

The general improvement in UK marine recreational water quality is att ributed to the implementation of the EU Directives designed to protect the health of bathers and ensure adequate treatment of urban wastewat ers. The effect of this legislation is often to remove the dominant so urce of faecal indicators which previously masked non-outfall sources. These have the potential io prevent the compliance of identified EU b athing waters with Directive 76/160/EEC standards for faecal coliform bacteria. Detailed investigative methods are outlined which have been employed to identify, quantify and reduce these sources. This problem requires detailed site specific investigation which is expensive when compared to the significant expenditures being committed to sewage tre atment. (C) 1997 IAWQ. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.