![]() This status means it is extremely likely there are unsafe levels of bacteria in the river, and it is recommended to be extra cautious if you are close to the river or come in contact with the water. As requested by the DC Department of Energy and Environment, site ratings are determined by the geometric mean value, not the single sample value.Ī red "special status" update indicates an abnormal situation such as a severe weather event, construction activity, or a combined sewage overflow (CSO) in the past 48 hours. ![]() Potomac sites that are under DC jurisdiction are rated against these values. Samples over the standard are considered "red" due to their failure to meet criteria, and the increased risk of illness. Samples are rated “green” if they fall below these values. After 5 consecutive weeks, the geometric mean will be calculated and compared to the 126 MPN value to determine a pass or fail status. coli single sample value = 410 MPN/100mLįor the first 5 consecutive weeks, single sample values will be compared against the single sample standard of 410 MPN. These Primary Contact Water Quality Standards are as follows: coli at the time of sampling falls beneath the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality primary contact water quality safety standards as well as the DC and MD Primary Contact Water Quality Standards These data can be viewed through the Chesapeake Monitoring Collaborative Data Explorer, Ī “green” rating demonstrates that the level of E. We encourage users to explore the sample data in addition to checking the swim guide status. Water quality standards as well as the methods used to determine pass or fail status vary widely across jurisdictions and monitoring programs. ![]() The activation of the Clean Rivers Project in DC is expected to reduce system wide combined sewage overflow by 96%, bringing the Potomac significantly closer to a swimmable river. WATERS REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT STATUS** Despite its designation as a Class A Primary Contact waterway, the DC Department of Health (DOH) bans swimming in the Potomac River citing the risk of high bacteria levels after rainstorms as the only reason it is considered “unsafe” to swim. **WARNING: SWIMMING IS PROHIBITED IN D.C. The Tidal Basin loop trail circles around the water and is a great way to see both nature and culture. Take a paddleboat out for a great view of the Washington monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Located in West Potomac Park, the Tidal Basin is well known for the famous Washington Cherry Blossom Festival that takes place each spring. Grey means there is no current water quality information, the beach is under construction, there has been an event that has rendered water quality information unreliable or unavailable. Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency. This status does not indicate current water quality. This means that this site has been issued a Blue Flag status for the current swimming season. ![]() We may manually set the status for a specific beach if we have concerns about the sampling protocol, if there is an emergency, if monitoring practices don't exist or have recently changed, or other reasons that render this site "special." Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more. Yellow means the beach passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time. Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more. ![]() This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. When swimming season is over or when a beach's water quality data has not been updated frequently enough (weekly) it goes into historical status. Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable. Red means the beach’s most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. Green means the beach’s most recent test results met relevant water quality standards. ![]()
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