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Pennsylvania Summary: 2006 Swimming Season
May 2007
- Introduction
- 2006 Summary Results
- For More Information
- Print version (PDF) of this document (528 K, 2 pages, About PDF)
- Raw data (MS-Excel) for Pennsylvania (122 K)
Introduction
Figure 1. Pennsylvania coastal counties with 2006 monitored beach data.
The BEACH Act of 2000 requires that coastal and Great Lakes states and territories report to EPA on beach monitoring and notification data for their coast recreation waters. The BEACH Act defines coastal recreation waters as the Great Lakes and coastal waters (including coastal estuaries) that states, territories, and authorized tribes officially recognize or designate for swimming, bathing, surfing, or similar activities in the water.
This fact sheet summarizes beach monitoring and notification data submitted to EPA by the state of Pennsylvania for the 2006 swimming season.
Pennsylvania conducts Bathing Beach Monitoring each year between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Pennsylvania has fourteen permitted bathing beaches and several unpermitted bathing beaches located along the shores of Lake Erie. Water testing is conducted at the permitted beaches twice per week during the swimming season.
| County | Total Beaches | Monitored | Not Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Totals | 12 | 12 | 0 |
2006 Summary Results
How many beaches had notification actions?
Figure 2: Monitored beaches with and without notification actions in 2006.
Whenever the bacteria levels exceed the standard of 235 E. coli colonies per 100mL of water sampled, swimming is restricted at the particular beach. Of the 12 coastal beaches that were monitored in 2006, 9, or 75 percent, had at least one advisory during the 2006 season (Figure 2).
How many notification actions were reported and how long were they?
Figure 3: Beach notification actions by duration.
A total of 41 beach notification actions were reported in the 2006 swimming season. Actions were of relatively short duration, however. Figure 3 presents breakdowns of action durations.
What percentage of days were beaches under a notification action?
Figure 4: Beach days with and without notification actions.
For Pennsylvania's 2006 swimming season, EPA determined there were a total of 1,212 beach days associated with the 12 monitored beaches. Actions were reported on 66 of those days or about 5 percent of the time (Figure 4).
How do 2006 results compare to previous years?
Beginning in 2003, states are required to submit data to EPA under the BEACH Act for beaches which are in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Table 2 compares 2006 data with data reported in previous years.
| Year | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of monitored beaches | ND | 12 | 12 |
| Number of beaches affected by notification actions | ND | 7 | 9 |
| Percentage of beaches affected by notification actions | 58% | 75% |
For More Information
General information about beaches | For information regarding sample results
for all permitted bathing beaches contact
the Erie County Department of Health 
at (814) 451-6700.
You can also see the Earth911 Beach Water Quality site for PA .
