TCEQ recreational water quality standards are guidelines based on epidemiological studies using E. coli as indicator bacteria to determine a potential level of fecal contamination which may pose a risk to humans. All rivers and creeks contain a risk from bacteria. Always avoid ingesting the water and wash your hands afterwards.
- Primary contact recreation 1 standard (126 most probable number per 100 ml): Activities that are presumed to involve a significant risk of ingestion of water (e.g. wading by children and swimming).
- Primary contact recreation 2 standard (206 mpn per 100 ml): Applies where water recreation activities occur that involve a significant risk of ingestion of water, but less frequently than for primary contact recreation 1 (e.g. wading by children and swimming).
- Secondary contact recreation 1 standard (630 mpn per 100 ml): Activities that commonly occur but have limited body contact and are presumed to pose a less significant risk of water ingestion than the primary contact recreation 1 standard (e.g. fishing, canoeing and kayaking).
- Provisional data subject to revision.