The nature, extent and sanitary significance of human enteric viruses in 8 coastal canals in the Galveston Bay area of Texas, USA, were determined. Isolated viruses included poliovirus type 1; echovirus types 1, 5, 14 and 19; and coxsackievirus B6. The relationships between virus isolation and presence of coliforms and Salmonella, and between virus isolation and salinity, turbidity, pH, temperature and suspended solids content of the waters were also examined.