The total level of Coliform at local Santa Barbara beaches was measured. As quoted by the AAA water-testing group from Massachusetts, "Coliform Bacteria is the most widely used indicator of water quality. This family of bacteria comes from the waste produced by both plants and warm blooded animals."

Per a website on Coliform, ' these bacteria are mostly nonpathogenic. They are found naturally in the intestines of warm-blooded animals - including humans. The concentration of coliform bacteria in water is used as an estimate of the concentration of raw sewage. This in turn is used to estimate the likelihood of contacting diseases from this water. And the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services states, 'total coliforms consist of a large group of bacteria that may inhabit the intestinal tracts of both humans and animals."
If drinking water is found to have concentrations of four or more coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water, corrective action is required. Counts higher than 2,300 are considered unsafe for swimming and counts exceeding 10,000 indicate that the water is unsafe even for boating (ReVelle and ReVelle, 1988).
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services states that 'swimming in water with sewage contamination or elevated bacterial levels may increase the risk of contracting illnesses such as skin rashes, diarrhea and ear infections. Past studies show that as the indicator bacteria level increase, the swimming-associated illness rate increases. Several studies have established a statistically significant relationship between increasing bacterial levels and increase rates of illness.

In looking over the attached graph with information supplied from the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services, we have a problem at East Beach @ Mission Creek. The water clears up and the area is open but then it is closed again due to the runoff that it receives. This indicator shows an immediate need to take action.