| #R001 | operational | health | recommended | Annual EHSS Conduct | recreational water | An EHSS should be conducted on an annual basis, just before the start of the swimming season. | Prior to the start of the swimming season | high |
| #R002 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Monitoring Plan Development | recreational water | Using the data from the EHSS, a well-structured and documented monitoring plan should be developed. | | high |
| #R003 | corrective_action | health | recommended | BAV Exceedance Actions | recreational water | If E. coli or enterococci concentrations exceed the established BAVs, this should trigger actions. | When fecal indicator concentrations exceed beach action values (BAV) | high |
| #R004 | reporting | health | recommended | Planktonic Bloom Advisory | recreational water | A swimming/contact advisory should be issued as a precaution. | Where a planktonic bloom has developed, or the guideline value for total microcystins is exceeded | high |
| #R005 | reporting | health | recommended | Swimmer's Itch Warning Signs | recreational water | Warning signs should be posted in recreational water areas where cases of swimmer's itch have been reported. | Where cases of swimmer's itch (cercarial dermatitis) have been reported | high |
| #R006 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sampling and Analysis Protocol | recreational water | All collection procedures and laboratory analyses should be carried out as directed by the responsible authority. | | high |
| #R007 | operational | health | recommended | Physical Hazard Management | recreational water | Check for hazards in the water and on the beach, remove hazards or post warnings, when required. | When hazards (e.g., litter, shells, sharp rocks) are identified | high |
| #R008 | reporting | health | recommended | Benthic Mat Public Notification | recreational water | In areas where benthic mats can be reached, individuals should be advised to avoid these areas, including keeping pets away from the impacted areas. | In areas where benthic mats are present and accessible | high |
| #R009 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Weekly Monitoring Frequency | drinking water, other | In general, recreational areas used for primary contact activities are monitored for fecal indicators (such as E. coli or enterococci) at a minimum frequency of one sampling event per week during the swimming season. | During the swimming season for primary contact activities | high |
| #R010 | administrative | reporting | guidance | Fecal Source Identification | drinking water, other | Responsible authorities are encouraged to identify the sources of fecal contamination impacting a recreational water area to aid in public health decisions and to inform remediation prioritization to improve water quality. | | high |
| #R011 | operational | operational | recommended | Laboratory Safety and Staffing Standards | other | If testing is necessary, it should be conducted by qualified staff in laboratories with proper biosafety level, design, equipment, and procedures. | When testing for pathogenic microorganisms is necessary | high |
| #R012 | prohibition | operational | guidance | Restricted Pesticide Use for Plant Control | other | Actions that involve trying to remove these organisms from natural waters or to treat them using pesticides may be harmful to the aquatic environment and are discouraged. | Regarding the removal or treatment of aquatic vascular plants and algae | high |
| #R013 | operational | health | recommended | Cyanobacteria Management Plan | recreational water | Areas that are at greater risk for cyanobacteria impacts may need a cyanobacteria management plan in place. | Areas identified as being at greater risk for cyanobacteria impacts | high |
| #R014 | monitoring | health | recommended | Case-by-Case Chemical Assessment | recreational water | Assess on a case-by-case basis, taking local factors into account. | Assessment of organic and inorganic chemicals in recreational waters | high |
| #R015 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Weekly Monitoring Frequency | recreational water | In general, recreational areas used for primary contact activities are monitored for fecal indicators (such as E. coli or enterococci) at a minimum frequency of one sampling event per week during the swimming season. | During the swimming season for primary contact activities | high |
| #R016 | administrative | reporting | guidance | Fecal Source Identification | recreational water | Responsible authorities are encouraged to identify the sources of fecal contamination impacting a recreational water area to aid in public health decisions and to inform remediation prioritization to improve water quality. | | high |
| #R017 | operational | operational | recommended | Laboratory Safety and Staffing Standards | recreational water | If testing is necessary, it should be conducted by qualified staff in laboratories with proper biosafety level, design, equipment, and procedures. | When testing for pathogenic microorganisms is necessary | high |
| #R018 | prohibition | operational | guidance | Restricted Pesticide Use for Plant Control | recreational water, aquatic life | Actions that involve trying to remove these organisms from natural waters or to treat them using pesticides may be harmful to the aquatic environment and are discouraged. | Regarding the removal or treatment of aquatic vascular plants and algae | high |
| #R019 | reporting | health | recommended | Advisory Duration | recreational water | Once issued, an advisory should remain in place until the associated health risk has returned to an acceptable level. | Once a swimming/contact advisory has been issued | high |
| #R020 | operational | operational | recommended | Risk Management Plan Integration | recreational water | This monitoring should be included as part of the overall risk management plan for a recreational water area. | Monitoring for cyanobacteria blooms | high |
| #R021 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Public Information Access | recreational water | The public also need access to information on the recreational water areas they are visiting, including any existing water quality hazards and the steps they can take to protect themselves. | Applicable to all managed recreational water areas | high |
| #R022 | administrative | operational | guidance | Secondary Contact Guideline Development | recreational water | For recreational water areas that are used solely for secondary contact activities, responsible authorities may choose to develop secondary contact guidelines. | Areas used solely for secondary contact activities (e.g., canoeing, boating) | high |
| #R023 | operational | operational | recommended | Beach Grooming and Cleaning | recreational water | Beach grooming and cleaning can help minimize fecal contamination and reduce its transport to swimming areas. | Part of a preventive risk management approach for beach sand | high |
| #R024 | administrative | unknown | recommended | Technical Document Consultation | recreational water | the individual guideline technical documents should be consulted for the most current and complete information. | When implementing the summary guidelines | high |
| #R025 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Corrected Weekly Monitoring Subdomain | recreational water | In general, recreational areas used for primary contact activities are monitored for fecal indicators (such as E. coli or enterococci) at a minimum frequency of one sampling event per week during the swimming season. | Recreational areas used for primary contact activities during the swimming season | high |