The E. coli levels at all of the 13 sites tested on Thursday, August 25, 2022, did not exceeded the 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL threshold for recreational use.
I was unable to collect a water sample at the Opequon Creek site because access was blocked by down tress and brush.
As a reference point, the FOSR uses the Virginia water-quality standard prior to October 2019 which was a single sample threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use. Meaning that if a single freshwater grab sample had E. coli levels that exceed 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample then the water was considered unsafe for primary recreational use.
The FOSR is providing these data for you to make an informed decision regarding recreation in the Shenandoah River watershed based on the sites tested.
