Microbial classification of seawaters. The case against arbitrary health standards

Various microbial health standards for recreational bathing waters obtain in many parts of the world, including Europe and America. These criteria appear to be a product of water laboratory scientists and legislators, bypassing the person most concerned--the local medical officer with his experience and knowledge of parochial epidemiology. In Natal we have a sophisticated and stringent system of grading bathing beaches which includes pathogenic microorganisms. The system functions as a measuring device for assessing changes in water quality, not as an arbitrary health standard. It is hoped that the practice of setting capricious so-called health standards for marine recreational waters does not spread to this country.