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Surface Water - Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results
This dataset contains fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) monitoring results collected from surface waters across California. It includes results for _Escherichia coli_ (E. coli), enterococci, fecal coliforms, and total coliforms - key indicators used to assess microbial water quality and potential health risks associated with recreational water use.
The data has been cleaned and standardized to ensure consistency and usability. For each valid data point, the dataset also includes calculated 6-week and 30-day geometric means, which are commonly used to evaluate long-term water quality trends and compliance with bacteria water quality objectives. Some records are excluded from the final dataset during processing. These typically include duplicate or replicate results, records with missing or invalid result values, or any data that cannot be used to calculate a geometric mean. These records are saved to the "Excluded Records" data resource.
This dataset serves as the primary data source for the Water Boards My Water Quality Portal [Safe to Swim Map](https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/safe-to-swim/content/interactive_map/index.html), which provides the public with timely information about potential health risks associated with water contact recreation at monitored sites.
Data is sourced from the [California Environmental Data Exchange Network](https://ceden.org/) (CEDEN) database, BeachWatch database, and the Central Valley Water Board [Lower American River Recreational Water Quality Map](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/47e27f245e044ac2a8e15083307e75f6/?draft=true&org=waterboards). There is some overlap with the [CEDEN Water Chemistry dataset](https://data.ca.gov/dataset/surface-water-chemistry-results). Both portal datasets draw from the same source, but the resources here are updated more frequently to support the Safe to Swim map.
Resources
13 resources available
-
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - 2010-2020
CSV -
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - 2020 to present
CSV -
Safe to Swim 1969-2010 (no longer updated)
CSV -
Safe to Swim 2020-present (no longer updated)
CSV -
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - before 2010
CSV -
Safe to Swim 2010-2020 (no longer updated)
CSV -
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - Excluded Records
CSV -
Monitoring sites for Safe to Swim (no longer updated)
CSV -
Data Dictionary - Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - 2010-2020
CSV -
Data Dictionary - Safe to Swim 2020-present (no longer updated)
CSV -
Data Dictionary - Safe to Swim 2010-2020 (no longer updated)
CSV -
Data Dictionary - Monitoring sites for Safe to Swim (no longer updated)
CSV -
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - Data Dictionary
PDF
Complete Metadata
| @type | dcat:Dataset |
|---|---|
| accessLevel | public |
| contactPoint |
{
"fn": "SWAMP General Inbox",
"@type": "vcard:Contact",
"hasEmail": "mailto:swamp@waterboards.ca.gov"
}
|
| description | <p>This dataset contains fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) monitoring results collected from surface waters across California. It includes results for _Escherichia coli_ (E. coli), enterococci, fecal coliforms, and total coliforms - key indicators used to assess microbial water quality and potential health risks associated with recreational water use.</p> <p>The data has been cleaned and standardized to ensure consistency and usability. For each valid data point, the dataset also includes calculated 6-week and 30-day geometric means, which are commonly used to evaluate long-term water quality trends and compliance with bacteria water quality objectives. Some records are excluded from the final dataset during processing. These typically include duplicate or replicate results, records with missing or invalid result values, or any data that cannot be used to calculate a geometric mean. These records are saved to the "Excluded Records" data resource.</p> <p>This dataset serves as the primary data source for the Water Boards My Water Quality Portal [Safe to Swim Map](https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/safe-to-swim/content/interactive_map/index.html), which provides the public with timely information about potential health risks associated with water contact recreation at monitored sites.</p> <p>Data is sourced from the [California Environmental Data Exchange Network](https://ceden.org/) (CEDEN) database, BeachWatch database, and the Central Valley Water Board [Lower American River Recreational Water Quality Map](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/47e27f245e044ac2a8e15083307e75f6/?draft=true&org=waterboards). There is some overlap with the [CEDEN Water Chemistry dataset](https://data.ca.gov/dataset/surface-water-chemistry-results). Both portal datasets draw from the same source, but the resources here are updated more frequently to support the Safe to Swim map.</p> |
| distribution |
[
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"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - 2010-2020",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=04d98c22-5523-4cc1-86e7-3a6abf40bb60&limit=0",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/04d98c22-5523-4cc1-86e7-3a6abf40bb60/download/safetoswim_geomeans_2010-2020.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
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{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - 2020 to present",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=15a63495-8d9f-4a49-b43a-3092ef3106b9&limit=0",
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},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Safe to Swim 1969-2010 (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=18c57345-bf87-4c46-b358-b634d36be4d2&limit=0",
"description": "This data resource will no longer be updated. Please use "Safe to Swim Results/Geomeans before 2010" resource instead.",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/18c57345-bf87-4c46-b358-b634d36be4d2/download/safetoswim_1969-2010_2024-03-12.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Safe to Swim 2020-present (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=1987c159-ce07-47c6-8d4f-4483db6e6460&limit=0",
"description": "This data resource will no longer be updated. Please use "Safe to Swim Results/Geomeans 2020 to present" resource instead.",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/1987c159-ce07-47c6-8d4f-4483db6e6460/download/safetoswim_2020-present_2025-03-25.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - before 2010",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=1d333989-559a-433f-b93f-bb43d21da2b9&limit=0",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/1d333989-559a-433f-b93f-bb43d21da2b9/download/safetoswim_geomeans_before-2010.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Safe to Swim 2010-2020 (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=7639446f-8c62-43d9-a526-8bc7952dd8bd&limit=0",
"description": "This data resource will no longer be updated. Please use "Safe to Swim Results/Geomeans 2010-2020" resource instead.",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/7639446f-8c62-43d9-a526-8bc7952dd8bd/download/safetoswim_2010-2020_2024-03-12.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
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{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - Excluded Records",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=81dd9a2f-0f19-4e7d-bd74-7fff848f5aa4&limit=0",
"description": "This dataset contains monitoring records that were excluded during the data processing workflow for the [Safe to Swim map](https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/safe-to-swim/content/interactive_map/). These records typically include duplicate or replicate results, records with missing or invalid result values, or any data that cannot be used to calculate a geometric mean.
The purpose of publishing this dataset is to promote transparency in how data is handled and to provide users with access to the full context of the data processing decisions. Each record includes a value in the "Comments" column that explains the reason for exclusion. If you believe a record was excluded in error and should be reconsidered for inclusion, please contact us for review.",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/81dd9a2f-0f19-4e7d-bd74-7fff848f5aa4/download/safetoswim_excluded_records.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
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"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Monitoring sites for Safe to Swim (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
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"describedBy": "https://data.ca.gov/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=848d2e3f-2846-449c-90e0-9aaf5c45853e&limit=0",
"description": "This data resource will no longer be updated.",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/848d2e3f-2846-449c-90e0-9aaf5c45853e/download/safetoswim_sites_2025-03-25.csv",
"describedByType": "application/json"
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Data Dictionary - Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - 2010-2020",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"description": "Data Dictionary for https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/04d98c22-5523-4cc1-86e7-3a6abf40bb60/download/safetoswim_geomeans_2010-2020.csv",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/datastore/dictionary_download/04d98c22-5523-4cc1-86e7-3a6abf40bb60",
"isDataDictionary": true
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Data Dictionary - Safe to Swim 2020-present (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"description": "Data Dictionary for https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/1987c159-ce07-47c6-8d4f-4483db6e6460/download/safetoswim_2020-present_2025-03-25.csv",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/datastore/dictionary_download/1987c159-ce07-47c6-8d4f-4483db6e6460",
"isDataDictionary": true
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Data Dictionary - Safe to Swim 2010-2020 (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"description": "Data Dictionary for https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/7639446f-8c62-43d9-a526-8bc7952dd8bd/download/safetoswim_2010-2020_2024-03-12.csv",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/datastore/dictionary_download/7639446f-8c62-43d9-a526-8bc7952dd8bd",
"isDataDictionary": true
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Data Dictionary - Monitoring sites for Safe to Swim (no longer updated)",
"format": "CSV",
"mediaType": "text/csv",
"description": "Data Dictionary for https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/848d2e3f-2846-449c-90e0-9aaf5c45853e/download/safetoswim_sites_2025-03-25.csv",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/datastore/dictionary_download/848d2e3f-2846-449c-90e0-9aaf5c45853e",
"isDataDictionary": true
},
{
"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
"title": "Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results - Data Dictionary",
"format": "PDF",
"mediaType": "application/pdf",
"downloadURL": "https://data.ca.gov/dataset/6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139/resource/5e8e1314-6511-4447-a392-5be07c821e92/download/safe-to-swim_data-dictionary_2025-11-06.pdf"
}
]
|
| identifier | 6723ab78-4530-4e97-ba5e-6ffd17a4c139 |
| issued | 2019-08-10T03:21:08.075700 |
| keyword |
[
"CEDEN"
]
|
| modified | 2026-02-26T19:01:53.880295 |
| publisher |
{
"name": "California State Water Resources Control Board",
"@type": "org:Organization"
}
|
| theme |
[
"Water"
]
|
| title | Surface Water - Fecal Indicator Bacteria Monitoring Results |
