CARRYING CAPACITY AND THE EFFECT OF BATHERS ON THE SANITARY QUALITY OF WATER AT A RURAL RECREATIONAL BEACH

The influx of users to recreational beaches increases during vacation periods with potential effects on water quality and public health. This study was carried out in a rural recreational beach in northwest Mexico. We hypothesized that the massive influx of users during vacation periods exceeds the carrying capacity of the beach, being a source of fecal pollution that poses risks to public health. To test the hypothesis, we estimated the carrying capacity of the beach and measured the actual influx of users and the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria in beach water before, during, and after the Easter holiday (EH). The concentrations of total and fecal coliform bacteria in water provided evidence of recent fecal pollution during and after EH. The concentration of enter-ococci before EH showed low levels that indicate no risk to the health of users, but increased to health risk levels during and two months after EH. Our results highlight the importance of implementing management strategies that include installing sufficient infrastructure and sanitation services, as well as regulating the entry of visitors and pets according to the carrying capacity of the beach.