Oregon's Beach Monitoring Program monitors the waters along Oregon's coastline for the presence of fecal bacteria and reports elevated levels to the public.
The program is administered by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and is implemented in close partnership with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Monitoring and public notification began in Oregon in 2003.
Marine waters are tested for enterococcus, which is an indicator of the presence of other bacteria. Enterococcus has been shown to have a greater correlation in marine waters with swimming-associated illnesses than other bacterial organisms.
What We Do
The Beach Monitoring Program is part of Environmental Public Health in the Center for Health Protection. Search the Public Health Program Directory to see all programs in the Oregon Public Health Division.