Slow adoption of rapid testing: Beach monitoring and notification using qPCR

In 2012 the US Environmental Protection Agency published new Recreational Water Quality Criteria, which for the first time, included criteria values and beach action values for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) measurements or estimates of enterococci. The qPCR method makes it possible to generate indicator bacterial test results within several hours, and notify the public immediately, rather than the following day, which would be the case if culture methods were used. The BEach ACtion and Closing Online Notification (BEACON) data demonstrates that less than 1% of microbial beach water results for the years 2014-2018 were generated using qPCR. In order to assist jurisdictions considering the implementation of same-day beach water monitoring and notification, we describe a qPCR-based beach monitoring program in which a central laboratory tests water samples from up to 20 beaches per day, seven days per week, and reports the results to the public by noon. The transition from a culture-based monitoring program to a qPCR program, staffing, management, communications needs, fixed costs, and variable costs of the program are described. USEPA funding to support state and local governments implementing qPCR programs may be needed if the benefits of same-day notification regarding elevated health risks are to be realized.