A small one-celled microorganism that can either be free living or parasitic. Some bacteria are disease causing.

A sewer that carries both sanitary (sewage) and storm water in the same pipe, often in older, urban areas. Combined sewer overflow (CSO)

A quantity of something that varies and can be used to explain increases and decreases in another variable. Explanatory variables for recreational waters include rainfall, wave height, and turbidity, and are used to explain increases and decreases in E. coli concentrations. Fecal coliforms

A type or group of bacteria that indicate the possible presence of disease causing (pathogenic) microorganisms. Indicator bacteria are not usually pathogenic themselves, but they are often associated with pathogens because they are present in large quantities in the feces of warm-blooded animals. Membrane filtration

A milliliter is a metric unit of volume equivalent to one-millionth of a cubic meter. 100 milliliters is equivalent to about 3.5 fluid ounces or slightly less than ½ cup. Multiple linear regression (MLR)

A unit of measure for the turbidity (cloudiness) of water. Nowcasting

An organism that causes disease.

Standards established by the state and based on recommendations and epidemiological studies from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, they used to decide when to issue a water-quality advisory. In Ohio, the single-sample bathing-water standard for E. coli is 235 colonies per 100 milliliters (col/100 mL). This means that when the E. coli concen [..]

A quantitative value for the clarity of water sample—the higher the turbidity the more cloudy the water. Turbidity is measured with a turbidimeter, which measures the scattering effect that suspended particles have on light. Virus

A term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.