The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday said the water quality at beaches across the nation were ideal for the public to engage in water activities during summer.
Results published by the EPA said that analysis of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus levels in water samples taken from 12 beaches between Sunday and Monday indicate that the water is clean.
The samples came from beaches at Fulong (福隆), Sinjinshan (新金山), Ciding (崎頂), Tongsiao (通霄), Mashagou (馬沙溝), Sizihwan (西子灣), Cijin (旗津), Kenting’s South Bay (南灣), Waiao (外澳), Jici (磯崎), Shanyuan (杉原) and Guanyinting (觀音亭).
EPA Department of Environmental Monitoring and Information Management director-general Tsai Hung-te (蔡鴻德) said the beaches were chosen because they are popular tourist destinations.
He said the results were determined by using the standard stipulated in national laws regulating water pollution, as well as by standards announced by the WHO and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The results showed that none of the beaches recorded E coli concentrations exceeding 1,000 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliter (ml) and none showed Enterococcus readings exceeding 50 CFU per 100ml in tests conducted using the “most probable number method.”
“The results were far from alarming, with the majority of sample readings bordering on 10 CFU and 10 MPN,” Tsai said.
However, he said that people should not swim at beaches after heavy rains, as mud and waste in rainwater drainage systems can be washed into the sea.
As some regions have underdeveloped drainage systems, household waste can also be flushed into the sea with rainwater, causing bacteria levels to spike, he said.
“It is best for people to wait for three days after heavy rain before visiting beaches to allow time for pollutants to be diluted,” Tsai said.
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