• Total Coliforms - Coliform bacteria are organisms that are natural inhabitants of the gut of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but can also be natural inhabitants of vegetation and soils. Coliforms are not necessarily harmful in themselves, but they can indicate the presence of more harmful bacteria. The total coliforms result gives the number of all coliform bacteria (including faecal coliforms) found in 100 millilitres of water and is used as a general indicator of pollution by bacteria.
• Faecal Coliforms - Faecal coliforms are a specific type of coliform bacteria which are found only in the gut - where they can aid the digestion of food - and consequently can be found in waters that have been recently contaminated with human sewage or animal faeces. The faecal coliform result gives the number of faecal coliform bacteria found in 100 millilitres of water, and is used as an indicator of pollution by faecal material (sewage).
• Faecal Streptococci - Faecal streptococci are also natural inhabitants of the gut of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Faecal streptococci tend to be found in greater numbers in waters contaminated by agricultural pollution. However, as faecal streptococci have a greater ability to survive outside of the gut, they could be used as an indicator of less recent contamination by sewage. The faecal streptococci result gives the number of these bacteria found in 100 millilitres of water.

The standards

• With these bacteria in mind the first standard is a mandatory one that must not be exceeded; there should be no more than 10,000 total coliforms per 100ml of water or 2,000 faecal coliforms per 100ml of water. 
• The second standard is a guideline that should be achieved where possible; within 100ml of water there should be no more than 500 total coliforms, 100 faecal coliforms and 100 faecal streptococci.

Sampling within Castle Morpeth Borough Council is carried out by the Environment Agency and starts two weeks before the beginning of the bathing season. Generally the season runs from the 15th May to the 30th September, with the aim of taking 20 samples or one every week.

Samples are collected at the Druridge Bay Visitors Centre, the National Trust Druridge Links and at Cresswell. Once the samples have been tested by the Environment Agency the results are forwarded to the Environmental Protection Unit here at Castle Morpeth where we analyse the results and then publish them. Posters with the results on can be found at each of the locations.