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.

2012年，美国环境保护署发布了新的《娱乐用水质量标准》，其中首次包括了定量值，定量聚合酶链反应（qPCR）测量或肠球菌评估的标准值和海滩作用值。qPCR方法可以在数小时内生成指示性细菌测试结果，并立即（而不是第二天）通知公众，如果使用培养方法的话。BEach行动与关闭在线通知（BEACON）数据表明，使用qPCR产生的2014-2018年微生物海滩水结果不足1％。为了协助辖区考虑实施当天的沙滩水监测和通知，我们描述了一种基于qPCR的海滩监测程序，其中中央实验室每天，每周7天每天最多测试20个海滩的水样，并在中午之前将结果报告给公众。描述了从基于文化的监控程序到qPCR程序的过渡，人员配置，管理，通信需求，固定成本和程序的可变成本。如果要实现有关提高健康风险的当日通知的好处，可能需要USEPA支持州和地方政府实施qPCR计划的资金。以及该计划的可变成本。如果要实现有关提高健康风险的当日通知的好处，可能需要USEPA支持州和地方政府实施qPCR计划的资金。以及该计划的可变成本。如果要实现有关提高健康风险的当日通知的好处，可能需要USEPA支持州和地方政府实施qPCR计划的资金。