50 
of only one attempt to recover them from the sediments off our 
coasts, and that was the work cited in the May 1 report in which 
examination of 70 sediment samples from Santa Monica Bay for 
enteric pathogens proved negative. Certainly, considering the 
importance of the question this is not an adequate sampling, 
since from what is now known one would choose either the Whites 
Point or the Orange County areas for such a survey. 
It is not the intention of the author to attempt to anti- 
cipate any action on the part of the Water Pollution Control 
Board which might result in the establishment of coliform 
standards for the sediments. In terminating this discussion, 
however, I would like to express two opinions; first, there is 
at the moment insufficient evidence pro or con to decide whether 
such standards are necessary; second, that every effort should 
be made to obtain the information necessary for a considered 
decision. 
Summary 
It has been shown that an extensive coliform field exists 
in the sediments around the Orange County and Whites Point out- 
falls where unchlorinated effluent is being discharged constantly. 
Although coliforms have been found around the present Hyperion 
outfall, it is believed that their occurrence is either tran- 
sitory or else that they are unevenly distributed. It is pre= 
dicted that a similar coliform field would build up around the 
proposed new outfall and ultimately extend to the shore. 
The possibility that coliforms in the inshore sediments could 
contribute to the beach counts in the water during periods of 
