The Petri plates containing the filters are placed in an incubator and allowed 24 hours of growth. After that, colonies of bacteria can be seen with the naked eye and they are counted at 10X magnification.

Results of enterococci counts are reported to the communities who request (and pay for) this sampling program. They are also posted on Sally Hornor's website, www2.aacc.cc.md.us/scisghornor/, during the swim season. These results provide information on water quality that enables residents to assess the risks associated with swimming or other recreational use of their waterfronts.

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