What is the Water Quality Standard for Fecal Coliform in Streams?
According to the Washington Water Quality Standards WAC 173-201A-030, freshwaters rated AA (extraordinary) shall not have fecal coliform levels exceeding 50 colonies/100 ml and not have more than 10% of all samples exceeding 100 colonies/100 ml (for Class A excellent – 100 colonies/100 ml and less than 10% of all samples exceeding 200 colonies/100 ml). These concentrations are often exceeded in urban streams in King County.