Water Quality Standards

The table below lists water quality standards at marine sites and benchmarks at freshwater sites in Whatcom County coastal drainages for fecal coliform bacteria. The standards for marine water are determined by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Meeting both of the fecal coliform benchmarks in freshwater systems leads to satisfying the marine water standards to protect public health and maintain safe shellfish harvest.     

Marine Water Standards
Freshwater Benchmarks
Geometric Mean: 14FC/100mL  
Geometric Mean: 100FC/100mL
Estimated 90th Percentile: 43FC/100mL 
Not more than 10% exceed 200FC/100mL