Enterococcus Level
Enterococcus is a bacteria that can cause illness in humans and animals. Water can be tested for enterococcus and test results are typically available about 24 hours after samples are collected. Results are expressed as Most Probable Number (mpn) of enterococcus per 100 ml of water.
This website provides mpn results and color indicators that are easier to understand:
- PASS - A water site is marked green and PASS when the geometric mean of 5+ samples is equal or below 70 mpn of enterococcus per 100 ml of water. If only a single sample is available, PASS means equal or below 70 mpn of enterococcus per 100 ml of water.
- FAIL - A water site is marked red and FAIL when the geometric mean of 5+ samples is above 70 mpn of enterococcus per 100 ml of water. If only a single sample is available, FAIL means above 70 mpn of enterococcus per 100 ml of water.
- UNKNOWN - A water site is marked grey when there are no results or there is no available information.
NOTE: It is important to note the date the enterococcus level was collected. Enterococcus levels can change significantly from one day to the next as environmental conditions change. To avoid misleading people, when results are from more than 8 days ago, PASS and FAIL indicators will display in grey as OLD PASS and OLD FAIL.
Data Sources
- Swim Drink Fish - Works at the confluence of water, people, and storytelling, using community science, technology, and communications to connect people to water. Through a network of Community Water Monitoring Hubs, Swim Drink Fish gathers and shares water pH, Chlorine, Alkalinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Hardness and E. coli levels. Results are posted as soon as lab results are available, and this site is updated based on the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Toronto Monitoring Hub.
- Surfrider Blue Water Task Force - The Blue Water Task Force provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. Surfrider chapters use this volunteer water testing program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.