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beachgoers

STATE OF OUR SEAS

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Pollution-Related Beach Closings and Advisories Climb in 2006

Stormwater from coastal cities washes more pollution than ever into beach waters.

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Pollution-related closings and health advisories at U.S. beaches were more numerous than ever in 2006, according to NRDC's annual report on beachwater quality. Across the country, there were more than 25,000 days of closings and advisories in 2006 at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches -- an increase of 28 percent from 2005. Heavy rainfall that washes sewage, debris and other pollutants from cities and towns into coastal waters was a major cause of beach closures this year. NRDC expects the upward trend to continue.

Increased monitoring continues to highlight how extensive the problem of beachwater pollution is. NRDC identified 92 high-risk beaches in 19 states that violated public health standards at least 25 percent of the time, according to monitoring data.

Yet even beaches that meet standards are not necessarily safe. The current EPA-recommended beachwater quality standards are 20 years old and rely on obsolete monitoring methods and out-of-date science that leave beachgoers vulnerable to a range of waterborne illnesses. An NRDC lawsuit filed last summer is prodding the EPA to move faster to develop an updated health standard and faster test methods.

Keeping Water Safe by Cleaning Up Pollution

The best way to keep swimmers from getting sick is to keep pollution out of the water. Pending federal legislation could give states and local governments the resources they need to track sources of beachwater pollution and make quick improvements such as fixing leaky plumbing in bathhouses, or providing special trash cans for pet waste. Controls on sewage overflows, urban stormwater and other sources of polluted runoff are also critical to keeping beaches open for swimming.

Individuals can also help clean up beach pollution by taking simple measures such as picking up pet waste, maintaining septic systems, putting plastic pants on babies, keeping trash off the beach, and properly disposing of household toxics, used motor oil and boating wastes.

Do Something
Tell Congress to Clean Up Our Beaches
Get Updates and Calls to Action from NRDC
Control Water Pollution at Home

Learn More
NRDC Report: Testing the Waters
Map of Water Quality at Popular Beaches
Wallet Card: Stay Healthy and Safe This Summer (pdf)
Gannett's Online Database of Beachwater Pollution