15A NCAC 18A .0904      APPROVED WATERS

Shellfish growing waters classified as approved for shellfish harvesting shall meet the following criteria as indicated by a sanitary survey, as set forth in Rule .0903 of this Section:

(1)           the shoreline survey indicates there are no significant point sources of pollution;

(2)           the area is not contaminated with fecal material, pathogenic microorganisms, poisonous or deleterious substances, or marine biotoxins that may render consumption of the shellfish hazardous; and

(3)           the microbiological survey, as set forth in Rule .0903(c)(3) of this Section, indicates the bacteriological water quality does not exceed the following standards based on results generated using the systematic random sampling strategy:

(a)           a median fecal coliform most probable number (MPN) or geometric mean MPN of 14 per 100 milliliters;

(b)           a median fecal coliform colony-forming units (CFU) or geometric mean CFU of 14 per 100 milliliters;

(c)           an estimated 90^th percentile of 43 MPN per 100 milliliters for a five-tube decimal dilution test; or

(d)           an estimated 90^th percentile of 31 CFU per 100 milliliters for a membrane filter membrane-Thermotolerant Escherichia coli (mTEC) test.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-182; 113-221.2; 143B-289.52;

Eff. June 1, 1989;

Readopted Eff. May 1, 2021.