AME Safe For Swimming Jul19-Web

Safe for Swimming?
Water Quality at Our Beaches

Safe for Swimming?
Water Quality at Our Beaches
Written by:
Gideon Weissman
Frontier Group
John Rumpler
Environment America Research and Policy Center
July 2019
Acknowledgments
Environment America Research & Policy Center sincerely thanks Mara Dias of Surfrider Foundation and Derek
Brockbank of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association for their review of drafts of this document,
as well as their insights and suggestions. Thanks also to R.J. Cross, Tony Dutzik, Susan Rakov and Abigail Bradford
of Frontier Group for their editorial support.
Environment America Research & Policy Center thanks the Park Foundation for helping to make this report
possible. The authors bear responsibility for any factual errors. The recommendations are those of Environment
America Research & Policy Center. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not neces-
sarily reflect the views of our funders or those who provided review.
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water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help
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Layout: Alec Meltzer/meltzerdesign.net
Cover: Health advisory at Sunset Beach at Presque Isle State Park by Erie, Pennsylvania. Credit: David Fulmer via Flickr
Table of Contents
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Fecal Contamination of Swimming Areas Poses a Public Health Threat . . . 6
American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Beach Pollution by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Executive Summary
T
he Clean Water Act, adopted in 1972 with Fecal contamination makes beaches unsafe for
overwhelming bi-partisan support, had the swimming.
farsighted and righteous goal of making all
• Human contact with the contaminated water
our waterways safe for swimming. Yet 46 years later,
indicated by bacteria testing can result in gastro-
all too often, Americans visiting their favorite beach
intestinal illness as well as respiratory disease, ear
are met by an advisory warning that the water is
and eye infections and skin rash.3
unsafe for swimming. Even worse, in recent years
millions of Americans have been sickened by swim- • Each year in the U.S., swimmers suffer from an
ming in contaminated water. estimated 57 million cases of recreational water-
borne illness.4
An analysis of bacteria sampling data from beaches
in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico • Primary sources of fecal contamination include
reveals that 2,627 beach sites – more than half of urban runoff, sewage leaks and overflows, and
all sites tested – were potentially unsafe for swim- industrial-scale livestock operations.
ming on at least one day in 2018, and 610 sites were
potentially unsafe at least 25 percent of the days More than half of the thousands of beach sites
that sampling took place.1 Sites were considered sampled for bacteria across the country were
potentially unsafe if bacteria levels exceeded the U.S. potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one
Environmental Protection Agency’s most protective day in 2018.
“Beach Action Value” threshold, which the EPA sug-
• In 2018, sampling data from 4,523 beach sites in
gests states use as a “conservative, precautionary tool
29 coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico
for making beach notification decisions,” and is as-
were submitted to the National Water Quality
sociated with an estimated illness rate of 32 per 1,000
Monitoring Council.
swimmers.2 (See Methodology for details.)
• Tests at 2,627 sites indicated potentially unsafe
To keep our beaches safe for swimming and
levels of fecal contamination for swimming
protect Americans’ health, policymakers should
on at least one day, and 610 were potentially
undertake efforts to prevent runoff pollution,
unsafe at least 25 percent of the days that
including through the use of natural and green
sampling took place.
infrastructure that absorb stormwater onsite.
Executive Summary 1
Figure ES-1. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Beach Days in 2018 by County
Bacteria testing of ocean and Great Lakes beach- • Alabama: 21 of 25 beach sites sampled were
es in every region of the country revealed days of potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
potentially unsafe fecal contamination in 2018. sampling site at Fairhope Public Beach in Baldwin
County was potentially unsafe for 21 days, more
• Among Gulf Coast beaches, 329 sites, or 85
than any other site in the state.
percent of the 385 sites tested, were unsafe for at
least one day in 2018. • California: 466 of 584 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018.
• Among West Coast beaches, 573 sites, or 67
A sampling site at Inner Cabrillo Beach in Los
Angeles County was potentially unsafe for 85
least one day in 2018.
days, more than any other site in the state.
• Among East Coast beaches, 1,134 sites, or 48
• Connecticut: 81 of 113 beach sites sampled were
percent of the 2,373 sites tested, were unsafe for
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
at least one day in 2018.
sampling site at Byram Beach in Fairfield County
• Among Great Lakes beaches, 425 sites, or 76 was potentially unsafe for 6 days, more than any
percent of the 558 sites tested, were unsafe for at other site in the state.
• Delaware: 7 of 23 beach sites sampled were
In every coastal and Great Lakes state and Puerto potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
Rico, sampling revealed potentially unsafe levels sampling site at Slaughter Beach in Sussex County
of contamination in 2018. was potentially unsafe for 16 days, more than any
other site in the state.
2 Safe for Swimming?

• Florida: 180 of 263 beach sites sampled were • Massachusetts: 223 of 583 beach sites sampled
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A were potentially unsafe for at least one day in
sampling site at Bayou Texar in Escambia County 2018. A sampling site at Nahant Bay at Eastern
was potentially unsafe for 24 days, more than any Ave. in Essex County was potentially unsafe for 39
other site in the state. days, more than any other site in the state.
• Georgia: 13 of 26 beach sites sampled were • Michigan: 120 of 207 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
sampling site at St. Simons Island Lighthouse in sampling site at St. Clair Shores Memorial Park
Glynn County was potentially unsafe for 6 days, Beach in Macomb County was potentially unsafe
more than any other site in the state. for 26 days, more than any other site in the state.
• Hawaii: 90 of 218 beach sites sampled were • Minnesota: 25 of 42 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. The potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
sampling site at Keehi Lagoon (North) in Honolulu sampling site at New Duluth Boat Club landing
County was potentially unsafe for 11 days, more facility in St. Louis County was potentially unsafe
than any other site in the state. for 16 days, more than any other site in the state.
• Illinois: 19 of 19 beach sites sampled were • Mississippi: 21 of 21 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
A sampling site at South Shore Beach in Cook sampling site at Gulfport East Beach in Harrison
County was potentially unsafe for 93 days, more County was potentially unsafe for 44 days, more
than any other site in the state. than any other site in the state.
• Indiana: 22 of 23 beach sites sampled were • New Hampshire: 15 of 47 beach sites sampled
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A were potentially unsafe for at least one day in
sampling site at Jeorse Park Beach in Lake County 2018. A sampling site at State Beach in Rocking-
was potentially unsafe for 40 days, more than any ham County was potentially unsafe for 5 days,
other site in the state. more than any other site in the state.
• Louisiana: 24 of 24 beach sites sampled were • New Jersey: 133 of 356 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
sampling site at North Beach in Calcasieu Parish sampling site at Beachwood Beach West in Ocean
was potentially unsafe for 11 days, more than any County was potentially unsafe for 14 days, more
other site in the state. than any other site in the state.
• Maine: 39 of 85 beach sites sampled were potentially • New York: 276 of 422 beach sites sampled were poten-
unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A sampling site tially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A sampling site
at Goose Rocks Beach in York County was potentially at Tanner Park in Suffolk County was potentially unsafe
unsafe for 14 days, more than any other site in the state. for 48 days, more than any other site in the state.
• Maryland: 79 of 158 beach sites sampled were • North Carolina: 127 of 213 beach sites sampled
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A were potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018.
sampling site at Camp Pecometh in Kent County A sampling site by the intersection of E. Main St. and
was potentially unsafe for 9 days, more than any Tooley St., Belhaven in Beaufort County was potentially
other site in the state. unsafe for 11 days, more than any other site in the state.
Executive Summary 3
• Ohio: 56 of 58 beach sites sampled were poten- • Virginia: 19 of 37 beach sites sampled were
tially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018.
sampling site at Bay View West in Erie County A sampling site at North Community Beach in
was potentially unsafe for 48 days, more than any Norfolk City was potentially unsafe for 7 days,
other site in the state. more than any other site in the state.
• Oregon: 18 of 51 beach sites sampled were poten- • Washington: 89 of 215 beach sites sampled were
tially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A sampling potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A
site at Sunset Bay State Park Beach at mouth of Big sampling site at Sooes Beach in Clallam County
Creek in Coos County was potentially unsafe for 11 was potentially unsafe for 7 days, more than any
days, more than any other site in the state. other site in the state.
• Pennsylvania: 27 of 28 beach sites sampled were • Wisconsin: 111 of 125 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018.
sampling site at Beach 11 in Thompson Bay in Erie A sampling site at Cupertino Park in Milwaukee
County was potentially unsafe for 17 days, more County was potentially unsafe for 40 days, more
than any other site in the state. than any other site in the state.
• Puerto Rico: 76 of 139 beach sites sampled were To ensure that all of our beaches are safe for swim-
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. ming, policymakers should work to protect beaches
The sampling site at Playa Guayanes, Yabucoa in from runoff and sewage pollution. Solutions include:
Yabucoa Municipio was potentially unsafe for 16
• Dramatically increasing funding to fix sewage
days, more than any other site in the state.
systems and prevent runoff pollution through
• Rhode Island: 54 of 129 beach sites sampled were natural and green infrastructure, including rain
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A barrels, permeable pavement and green roofs.
sampling site at Easton’s Beach in Newport County
• Protecting and restoring natural infrastructure,
was potentially unsafe for 10 days, more than any
including riparian areas and wetlands that can
other site in the state.
filter bacteria, sediment and nutrients.
• South Carolina: 55 of 122 beach sites sampled
• Strengthening enforcement of standards for
were potentially unsafe for at least one day in
municipal wastewater treatment.
2018. A sampling site at Withers Swash in Horry
County was potentially unsafe for 32 days, more • Enacting moratoria on new or expanded industri-
than any other site in the state. al-scale livestock operations, particularly in areas
that threaten our beaches and other waterways.
• Texas: 141 of 167 beach sites sampled were
potentially unsafe for at least one day in 2018. A • Using the EPA’s most protective “Beach Action
sampling site at Cole Park in Nueces County was Value” bacteria standard for making beach adviso-
potentially unsafe for 52 days, more than any ry decisions, and implementing same-day bacteria
other site in the state. testing and warning systems.

Introduction
A
mericans love the beach. From the warm wa- As the following analysis shows, far too many
ters of the Gulf Coast, to the cliffside beaches beaches, in every corner of the country, can be un-
of the Pacific Northwest, to the Midwest safe for swimming.
beaches ringing the edges of every Great Lake, Amer-
In different regions of the country there are different
ica’s beaches enrich the lives of millions of Americans,
culprits for beach pollution, including many types
providing them a place to escape the city, soak up the
of urban and agricultural runoff pollution. But all
sun, and cool off in the hot summer months.
regions can implement solutions to prevent pollution
Americans should be able to expect that water at our from being created in the first place, or to keep pollu-
beaches is clean and safe for swimming. In fact, that was tion from reaching the waters where our families go
a key goal when our nation adopted the Clean Water to swim.
Act in 1972. But all too often, those looking for a summer
Making those changes can protect public health and
getaway arrive at the beach only to be met by an advi-
the environment, and help ensure that families across
sory sign warning of unsafe water. Even worse, millions of
the country can continue to look to the beach as a
Americans in recent years have been sickened by swim-
summer haven, now and in the future.
ming in contaminated water, with many hospitalized.
Introduction 5
Fecal Contamination of
Swimming Areas Poses a Public
Health Threat
P
eople who swim in water polluted with sew- Water contamination can also ruin a day at the beach,
age or other fecal contamination risk falling when it results in beach closures or swimming advi-
seriously ill. sories. In 2018, there were 871 beach closings result-
ing from elevated bacteria or sewage in the U.S., and
Human contact with fecal contamination can result in
4,824 beach contamination advisories warning peo-
gastrointestinal illness as well as respiratory disease,
ple not to go in the water.12 There were an additional
ear and eye infections and skin rash.5 Although for
5,295 swimming advisories that water contamination
testing purposes fecal contamination is typically indi-
was likely because of rainfall. While beach advisories
cated by the presence of bacteria (including the E. coli
are a critical tool to protect swimmers, many test-
and enterococcus bacteria samples in the following
ing programs rely on a testing process that requires
analysis), most illnesses contracted from swimming
nearly 24 hours to show results, meaning that swim-
in contaminated water are transmitted by viruses
mers have already been exposed to unsafe water by
contained in fecal matter.6 Norovirus is likely the most
the time advisories are posted.13
common cause of viral recreational water outbreaks,
and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stom- Causes of fecal contamination of beaches and lakes
ach pain.7 include:
Each year in the U.S., swimmers in oceans, lakes, riv- Urban runoff: When rain runoff flows over yards,
ers and ponds suffer from an estimated 57 million parks and other urban and suburban areas, it can pick
cases of recreational waterborne illness.8 From 2000 up fecal waste from pets and wildlife. Runoff flows
to 2014, 140 outbreaks caused by recreational water into streams, lakes and the ocean, either directly or
contamination reported to the Centers for Disease indirectly through storm drains. The U.S. EPA’s most
Control and Prevention (CDC) caused 4,958 illnesses recent Water Quality Assessment data shows that the
and two deaths.9 In a single 2013 incident listed on top two probable sources of impairments for coastal
the CDC’s website, 597 people fell ill and three people shoreline are municipal discharges/sewage and
were hospitalized with gastrointestinal illness from a urban-related runoff/stormwater.14
contaminated Michigan lake (the lake was not named
Impervious surfaces including roads and parking lots
by the CDC).10 Consuming oysters and other seafood
increase the quantity of runoff pollution that reaches
harvested from contaminated water can also pose a
waterways and beaches, because water flows over
health threat.11
impervious surfaces, rather than absorbing into the

ground. In recent decades, U.S. coastal areas have blockages and line breaks. 21 Deteriorating sewers can
seen significant increases in development, increas- experience exfiltration (sewage leaking from pipes)
ing impervious surface cover. From 1996 to 2010, U.S. or infiltration (groundwater or stormwater entering
coastal areas added 3.6 million acres of development, pipes, which can cause backups and overflows).22
while losing more than 14.7 million acres of forest
Failing septic systems, which are used by approxi-
and 982,000 acres of wetland.15
mately one in four Americans, are also a serious
Sewage overflows and failing septic systems: source of sewage pollution.23 Septic systems have a
When sewage systems leak or overflow, human fecal failure rate of between 5 and 35 percent.24
waste spills into the environment and can contami-
Concentrated livestock manure: Most livestock
nate waterways.16 Sewage contamination is particu-
is now raised in industrial-scale feedlot operations
larly dangerous for public health because it contains
that generate large amounts of manure, which can
human waste, which contains bacteria, viruses and
contaminate water and make it unsafe for human
parasites capable of causing disease in humans.17
contact.25 Animal manure can contain a variety of
All types of sewer systems can be a source of water bacterial and viral pathogens that cause disease
contamination, including combined sewers, sanitary in humans.26 When runoff flows over improperly
sewers, and septic systems. Combined sewers are managed manure, or when waste sites leak or spill,
particularly prone to high-volume releases of dan- manure pollution can contaminate waterways, and
gerous pollution because the combination of storm- ultimately flow into lakes and oceans.27 Nationally,
water and sewage into a single pipe can overwhelm industrial-scale livestock operations generate hun-
the system following heavy rainfall or snowmelt.18 In dreds of millions of tons of manure each year.28
2004, the EPA estimated that 850 billion gallons of
Flooding and extreme weather can exacerbate the
untreated wastewater and stormwater are released as
spread of fecal pollution from all sources. For exam-
a result of combined sewer overflows each year.19
ple, one study conducted following Hurricane Harvey
Sanitary sewers, which are designed to carry sewage found significant sewage contamination at flooded
alone, overflow as many as 75,000 times each year locations around Houston, Texas, and remarked that
in the U.S.20 Sanitary sewer overflows have causes “a large number of sewage overflows and stormwater
including inadequate capacity, system deterioration, runoff occurred during Harvey flooding.”29
Fecal Contamination of Swimming Areas Poses a Public Health Threat 7

American Beaches Are Often
Unsafe for Swimming
T
esting data collected from around the coun- • Among East Coast beaches, 1,134 sites, or 48
try reveal that, all too often, beach water may percent of the 2,373 sites tested, were unsafe for
be unsafe for swimming. at least one day in 2018.
As of May 2019, sampling data for 2018 from 4,523 • Among Great Lakes beaches, 425 sites, or 76
beach sites in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states was percent of the 558 sites tested, were unsafe for at
available through the National Water Quality Monitor- least one day in 2018.
ing Council’s Water Quality Portal. Of those sampling
sites, 2,627 had bacteria levels indicating potentially
unsafe levels of fecal contamination for swimming How the U.S. Tests for
on at least one day, and 610 were unsafe at least 25 Contaminated Water
percent of the days that sampling took place. Across the country, beach areas are monitored
Sites were considered potentially unsafe if bacteria on different schedules and with different levels of
levels exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection regularity.
Agency’s most protective “Beach Action Value” thresh- Data in this report come from sampling con-
old, which the EPA suggests states use as a “conserva- ducted by more than 40 local, state and federal
tive, precautionary tool for making beach notification agencies, and submitted to the National Water
decisions.”30 (See Methodology for details.) Quality Monitoring Council’s Water Quality Portal.
Data for 2018 indicates potentially unsafe fecal con- Different organizations test and submit testing
tamination in every region of the country. data using different sampling techniques and
equipment, over different schedules, and over
• Among Gulf Coast beaches, 329 sites, or 85 different distributions of geography and time.
percent of the 385 sites tested, were unsafe for at Beaches in this analysis were tested between 1
least one day in 2018. and 398 times in 2018, on between 1 and 258
days. As a result, comparisons between beach
• Among West Coast beaches, 573 sites, or 67
sites, let alone between regions or states, are of-
ten not meaningful. Nevertheless, beaches where
testing frequently indicates unsafe levels of fecal
contamination present health risks for swimmers.
(See Methodology for more details.)

Figure 1. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Beach Days in 2018 by County
“Average percentage” refers to the average of each beach’s percentage of potentially unsafe days out of
sampling days in 2018 within each county. See Methodology for details.
Great Lakes
West
East
Gulf
Puerto Rico
Hawaii
American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 9

Beach Pollution by State
Alabama
ĤĤIn Alabama, 21 tested
beach sites were potentially
unsafe for swimming on at
In 2018, 25 beach sites were

sampled in Alabama. Of beaches
where sampling took place, tests
at 21 indicated potentially unsafe
levels of contamination on at
Table 1. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming least one day. A sampling site at
Days in Alabama in 2018 Fairhope Public Beach in Baldwin
Percentage of County tested as potentially unsafe
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days for 21 days, more days than any
Sampling Site County Unsafe Days
Sampling with Potentially
in 2018
Unsafe Water other site in the state, and 35
Fairhope Public Beach Baldwin County 21 60 35% percent of the days that sampling
Dog River, Alba Club Mobile County 9 36 25% took place. In Mobile County, the
Camp Beckwith Baldwin County 8 58 14% average beach was potentially
Volanta Avenue Baldwin County 8 36 22% unsafe for swimming on 10 percent
Orange Street Pier Baldwin County 6 34 18% of the days that sampling took
Mary Ann
Baldwin County 5 20 25%
place, a higher percentage than
Nelson Beach
any other county in the state.
Orange Beach
Baldwin County 4 31 13%
Waterfront Park
Kee Avenue Baldwin County 4 30 13%
Spanish Cove Baldwin County 4 30 13%
May Day Park Baldwin County 3 31 10%
Table 2. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

2018 for Beaches in Alabama Counties
Average Percentage of Sampling Days with
County
Potentially Unsafe Water for Beaches in County
Mobile County 10%
Baldwin County 10%

California
ĤĤIn California, 466 tested

sampled in California. Of beaches
levels of contamination on at least
Table 3. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Inner
Days in California in 2018 Cabrillo Beach in Los Angeles
Potentially
Percentage of County tested as potentially unsafe
Days with Sampling Days
Sampling with Potentially for 85 days, more days than any
in 2018
Unsafe Water other site in the state, and 49
Inner Cabrillo Beach Los Angeles County 85 175 49% percent of the days that sampling
Coronado Ave. Beach Los Angeles County 62 144 43% took place. San Pedro Creek was
Salt Creek Beach Orange County 46 80 57% potentially unsafe on 43 out of 47
Molino Ave. Beach Los Angeles County 45 130 35% testing days, or 91 percent of the
5th Place Beach Los Angeles County 44 140 31% days that sampling took place. In
Malibu Lagoon San Mateo County, the average
Los Angeles County 43 254 17%
State Beach
San Pedro Creek San Mateo County 43 47 91%
beach was potentially unsafe for
Inner Cabrillo Beach Los Angeles County 43 175 25%
swimming on 32 percent of the
Prospect Ave-Beach Los Angeles County 42 141 30%
days that sampling took place, a
West Side Of
higher percentage than any other
Los Angeles County 41 138 30%
Belmont Pier county in the state.
Table 4. Top 10 California Counties by Average Percentage of

Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in 2018
County
San Mateo County 32%
San Francisco County 28%
Contra Costa County 25%
Santa Cruz County 22%
Humboldt County 21%
Santa Barbara County 17%
Alameda County 14%
Los Angeles County 10%
San Luis Obispo County 10%
Orange County 9%

Connecticut
ĤĤIn Connecticut, 81 tested

sampled in Connecticut. Of beach-
es where sampling took place, tests
Table 5. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Byram
Days in Connecticut in 2018 Beach in Fairfield County tested
Percentage of as potentially unsafe for 6 days,
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days more days than any other site in
in 2018
Unsafe Water the state, and 30 percent of the
Byram Beach (South) Fairfield County 6 20 30% days that sampling took place. In
Byram Beach (North) Fairfield County 6 20 30% Fairfield County, the average beach
Seaside Park Beach
Fairfield County 5 14 36%
was potentially unsafe for swim-
(Southernmost)
ming on 12 percent of the days
Seaside Park
Beach (South)
Fairfield County 4 13 31% that sampling took place, a higher
Seaside Park percentage than any other county
Beach (Mid) in the state.
New Haven
Clark Avenue Beach 4 15 27%
County
Seaside Park
Beach (North)
Seaside Park Beach
(Northernmost)
Hickory Bluff Beach Fairfield County 4 17 24%
New Haven
Seaview Beach 4 10 40%
County

2018 for Beaches in Connecticut Counties
County
Fairfield County 12%
Middlesex County 11%
New Haven County 9%
New London County 5%

Delaware
ĤĤIn Delaware, 7 tested beach
sites were potentially unsafe
for swimming on at least one
day in 2018.

sampled in Delaware. Of beaches
where sampling took place, tests at
7 indicated potentially unsafe levels
of contamination on at least one
Table 7. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at Slaughter
Days in Delaware in 2018 Beach in Sussex County tested as
Percentage of potentially unsafe for 16 days, more
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days days than any other site in the
in 2018
Unsafe Water state, and 64 percent of the days
Slaughter Beach Sussex County 16 25 64% that sampling took place. In Sus-
Fenwick Island
Sussex County 3 16 19%
sex County, the only county where
State Park Beach
testing took place,, the average
Rehoboth Beach Sussex County 3 32 9%
Broadkill Beach Sussex County 2 16 12%
swimming on 5 percent of the days
Lewes Beach North Sussex County 2 17 12%
that sampling took place.
Bethany Beach Sussex County 1 33 3%
Lewes Beach South Sussex County 1 16 6%
Towers Beach Sussex County 0 15 0%
Dewey Beach Sussex County 0 16 0%
Deauville Beach Sussex County 0 15 0%
Table 8. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days

in 2018 for Beaches in Delaware Counties (Only One County with
Testing Data)
County
Sussex County 5%

Florida
ĤĤIn Florida, 180 tested beach
day in 2018.

sampled in Florida. Of beaches
Table 9. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Bayou
Days in Florida in 2018
Texar in Escambia County tested as
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially days than any other site in the
Unsafe Water
state, and 48 percent of the days
Bayou Texar Escambia County 24 50 48%
that sampling took place. Bayou
Sanders Beach Escambia County 23 64 36%
Chico beach, in Escambia County,
Crandon Park on Miami-Dade
Key Biscayne County
17 63 27% was potentially unsafe on 14 of 20
Bird Key Park Sarasota County 17 67 25% testing days, or 70 percent of the
Venice Fishing Pier Sarasota County 15 64 23% days that sampling took place. In
Bayou Chico Escambia County 14 20 70% Hernando County, the average
South Beach Monroe County 14 31 45% beach was potentially unsafe for
Eastern Lake swimming on 38 percent of the
Walton County 13 44 30%
Dune Walkover days that sampling took place, a
Venice Beach Sarasota County 13 63 21% higher percentage than any other
Golden Beach
Miami-Dade
12 59 20% county in the state.
County
Table 10. Top 10 Florida Counties by Average Percentage of

County
Hernando County 38%
Okaloosa County 22%
Escambia County 20%
Walton County 18%
Gulf County 17%
Wakulla County 17%
Pasco County 17%
Sarasota County 14%
Miami-Dade County 13%
Broward County 11%

Georgia
ĤĤIn Georgia, 13 tested beach
day in 2018.
In 2018, 26 beach sites were sam-

pled in Georgia. Of beaches where
sampling took place, tests at 13
indicated potentially unsafe levels
Table 11. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at St. Simons
Days in Georgia in 2018 Island Lighthouse in Glynn County
Percentage of tested as potentially unsafe for 6
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days days, more days than any other
in 2018
Unsafe Water site in the state, and 12 percent of
St. Simons Island
Glynn County 6 50 12%
the days that sampling took place.
Lighthouse
In Chatham County, the average
Skidaway Narrows Chatham County 3 8 38%
Kings Ferry Chatham County 3 4 75%
Tybee Island, Polk St. Chatham County 3 46 7%
Jekyll Driftwood Beach Glynn County 2 46 4%
East Beach Glynn County 2 47 4%
county in the state.
Jekyll Island
Convention Center
4H Camp on
Jekyll Island
Capt. Wylly Rd.
near Beachview Glynn County 1 45 2%
on Jekyll Island
South Dunes on
Jekyll Island

2018 for Beaches in Georgia Counties
County
Chatham County 17%
Glynn County 4%
McIntosh County 0%

Hawaii
ĤĤIn Hawaii, 90 tested beach
day in 2018.

sampled in Hawaii. Of beaches
Table 13. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Keehi
Days in Hawaii in 2018 Lagoon (North) in Honolulu County
Potentially
Sampling with Potentially days, more days than any other site
in 2018
Unsafe Water in the state, and 12 percent of the
Keehi Lagoon (North) Honolulu County 11 91 12% days that sampling took place. In
Keehi Lagoon (South) Honolulu County 10 91 11% Kauai County, the average beach
Punaluu Beach Park Honolulu County 9 12 75% was potentially unsafe for swim-
MS2 (Kapoho Point) Honolulu County 9 20 45% ming on 13 percent of the days
Kalihi Channel Honolulu County 8 91 9% that sampling took place, a higher
West Sand Island Park Honolulu County 7 91 8% percentage than any other county
Hanauma Beach Park Honolulu County 6 37 16% in the state.
Hanakaoo Maui County 6 42 14%
Kakaako Park Honolulu County 5 91 5%
Waimanalo Beach Honolulu County 4 36 11%

2018 for Beaches in Hawaii Counties
County
Kauai County 13%
Honolulu County 8%
Maui County 5%
Hawaii County 4%

Illinois
ĤĤIn Illinois, 19 tested beach
day in 2018.

pled in Illinois. Of beaches where
sampling took place, tests at all 19
Table 15. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at South Shore
Days in Illinois in 2018 Beach in Cook County tested as
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days days than any other site in the
in 2018
Unsafe Water state, and 95 percent of the days
South Shore Beach Cook County 93 98 95% that sampling took place. In Cook
63rd Street Beach Cook County 91 95 96% County, the only county where
Foster Avenue Beach Cook County 90 96 94% testing took place,, the average
Calumet South Beach Cook County 89 96 93% beach was potentially unsafe for
Rogers Avenue
Cook County 89 95 94%
Park Beach
days that sampling took place.
Howard Street
Park Beach
Montrose Beach Cook County 88 95 93%
Hartigan Beach Cook County 88 96 92%
Marion Mahoney
Griffin Beach
Leone Beach Cook County 81 96 84%
Table 16. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in 2018

for Beaches in Illinois Counties (Only One County with Testing Data)
County
Cook County 83%

Indiana
ĤĤIn Indiana, 22 tested beach
day in 2018.

pled in Indiana. Of beaches where
Table 17. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at Jeorse Park
Days in Indiana in 2018
Beach in Lake County tested as po-
Percentage of tentially unsafe for 40 days, more
Potentially
in 2018
Unsafe Water
Jeorse Park Beach I Lake County 40 111 36%
that sampling took place. In Lake
Jeorse Park Beach II Lake County 38 111 34%
County, the average beach was po-
Buffington
Harbor Beach
Lake County 28 111 25% tentially unsafe for swimming on 17
Indiana Dunes State percent of the days that sampling
Porter County 23 101 23%
Park East Beach took place, a higher percentage
Washington
LaPorte County 22 105 21% than any other county in the state.
Park Beach
Indiana Dunes State
Porter County 17 100 17%
Park West Beach
Whihala Beach East Lake County 15 104 14%
Hammond Marina
Lake County 15 105 14%
East Beach
Lake Street Beach Lake County 14 71 20%
Whihala Beach West Lake County 11 104 11%

2018 for Beaches in Indiana Counties
County
Lake County 17%
LaPorte County 11%
Porter County 10%

Louisiana
ĤĤIn Louisiana, 24 tested

sampled in Louisiana. Of beaches
all 24 indicated potentially unsafe
Table 19. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at North
Days in Louisiana in 2018 Beach in Calcasieu Parish tested
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days more days than any other site in
Sampling Site Parish Unsafe Days
in 2018
North Beach Calcasieu Parish 11 31 35% days that sampling took place. In
Cypremort Point
St. Mary Parish 10 31 32%
Calcasieu Parish, the average beach
State Park
Fontainebleau St. Tammany
State Park Parish
10 29 34% ming on 39 percent of the days
Rutherford Beach Cameron Parish 9 31 29% that sampling took place, a higher
Holly Beach - 4 Cameron Parish 7 31 23% percentage than any other parish
Holly Beach - 1 Cameron Parish 7 31 23% in the state.
Constance Beach Cameron Parish 7 31 23%
Grand Isle State
Jefferson Parish 6 30 20%
Park - 1
Grand Isle Beach - 2 Jefferson Parish 6 30 20%
Martin Beach Cameron Parish 6 31 19%

2018 for Beaches in Louisiana Parishes
Parish
Potentially Unsafe Water for Beaches in Parish
Calcasieu Parish 39%
St. Tammany Parish 34%
St. Mary Parish 32%
Cameron Parish 18%
Jefferson Parish 17%

Maine
ĤĤIn Maine, 39 tested beach
day in 2018.

pled in Maine. Of beaches where
Table 21. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at Goose Rocks
Days in Maine in 2018
Beach - Site 5 in York County tested
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially more days than any other site in
Unsafe Water
the state, and 36 percent of the
Goose Rocks
Beach - Site 5
York County 14 39 36% days that sampling took place. In
Goose Rocks Waldo County, the average beach
York County 9 39 23%
Beach - Site 1 was potentially unsafe for swim-
Willard Beach
Cumberland
8 26 31% ming on 31 percent of the days
County
that sampling took place, a higher
Ogunquit Beach York County 7 14 50%
percentage than any other county
Kennebunk Beach York County 6 18 33%
in the state.
Long Sands Beach York County 5 14 36%
Lincolnville Beach Waldo County 5 16 31%
Cumberland
Harpswell Beach 5 13 38%
County
Colony Beach York County 4 25 16%
Cumberland
East End Beach 4 25 16%
County

2018 for Beaches in Maine Counties
County
Waldo County 31%
York County 9%
Cumberland County 9%
Lincoln County 8%
Knox County 5%
Sagadahoc County 4%
Hancock County 1%

Maryland
ĤĤIn Maryland, 79 tested

sampled in Maryland. Of beaches
Table 23. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Camp
Days in Maryland in 2018 Pecometh in Kent County tested
Potentially
in 2018
Camp Pecometh Kent County 9 16 56% days that sampling took place. In
Public Landing Beach Kent County, the average beach
Worcester County 8 15 53%
near Snow Hill
Ocean City Beach 1 Worcester County 8 28 29%
Purse State Park Charles County 7 12 58%
Ferry Park Kent County 7 10 70%
Charlestown Manor Cecil County 6 10 60%
percentage than any other county
Queen Anne's
in the state.
Rolph's Wharf 6 16 38%
County
Elm's Beach - Public Beach St. Mary's County 6 17 35%
Breezy Point Calvert County 5 17 29%
YMCA Camp Tockwogh
Kent County 4 9 44%
(Youth Camp)
Table 24. Top 10 Maryland Counties by Average Percentage of

County
Kent County 45%
Charles County 36%
Cecil County 28%
Queen Anne's County 23%
Wicomico County 22%
St. Mary's County 10%
Worcester County 10%
Somerset County 8%
Calvert County 7%
Baltimore County 6%

Massachusetts
ĤĤIn Massachusetts, 223
tested beach sites were
potentially unsafe for
swimming on at least one day
in 2018.

pled in Massachusetts. Of beaches
Table 25. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming
Days in Massachusetts in 2018
one day. A sampling site at Nahant
Percentage of
Potentially Days
Sampling Days Bay at Eastern Ave. in Essex County
Sampling Site County Unsafe Days with
with Potentially tested as potentially unsafe for 39
in 2018 Sampling
Unsafe Water
days, more days than any other
Nahant Bay at Eastern Ave Essex County 39 92 42%
site in the state, and 42 percent of
Tenean Beach Suffolk County 26 94 28%
Nahant Bay at Pierce Road Essex County 23 92 25%
Provincetown Harbor at Franklin
Nahant Bay at Kimball Road Essex County 21 92 23%
Street, in Barnstable County, was
Quincy Shore at
Norfolk County 18 93 19%
Channing Street potentially unsafe on 13 of 26
Quincy Shore at
Norfolk County 14 93 15%
testing days, or 50 percent of the
Sachem Street
days that sampling took place. In
Provincetown Harbor Barnstable
at Franklin Street County
13 26 50% Norfolk County, the average beach
Malibu Beach in was potentially unsafe for swim-
Suffolk County 11 92 12%
Dorchester Bay ming on 21 percent of the days
Quincy Shore at Milton Road Norfolk County 11 93 12% that sampling took place, a higher
Quincy Shore at Rice Road Norfolk County 10 94 11% percentage than any other county
in the state.
2018 for Beaches in Massachusetts Counties
County
Norfolk County 21%
Suffolk County 9%
Essex County 8%
Nantucket County 5%
Dukes County 4%
Bristol County 4%
Barnstable County 4%
Plymouth County 4%

Michigan
ĤĤIn Michigan, 120 tested

sampled in Michigan. Of beaches
Table 27. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at St. Clair
Days in Michigan in 2018 Shores Memorial Park Beach in Ma-
Potentially Days
Percentage of comb County tested as potentially
Sampling Days
with Potentially unsafe for 26 days, more days than
in 2018 Sampling
Unsafe Water any other site in the state, and 53
St. Clair Shores percent of the days that sampling
Macomb County 26 49 53%
Memorial Park Beach
Pier Park Wayne County 15 20 75%
took place. Pier Park, in Wayne
H.C.M.A. - Lake St. Clair
County, was potentially unsafe on
Macomb County 13 51 25%
Metropark Beach 15 of 20 testing days, or 75 percent
New Baltimore Park Beach Macomb County 12 48 25% of the days that sampling took
Singing Bridge Beach Arenac County 11 11 100% place. In Wayne County, the aver-
Kiwanis Beach Mackinac County 11 25 44% age beach was potentially unsafe
Bay City State Recreation Area Bay County 10 39 26% for swimming on 75 percent of the
South Linwood Beach
Bay County 8 39 21% days that sampling took place, a
Township Park
Holland Road Beach St. Clair County 7 33 21%
county in the state.
US 2 Sand Dunes Beach
Mackinac County 7 24 29%
(East of Brevort)
Table 28. Top 10 Michigan Counties by Average Percentage of

County
Wayne County 75%
Mackinac County 37%
Macomb County 34%
Arenac County 26%
Gogebic County 25%
Chippewa County 19%
Muskegon County 17%
Van Buren County 17%
Schoolcraft County 17%
St. Clair County 16%

Minnesota
ĤĤIn Minnesota, 25 tested

sampled in Minnesota. Of beaches
25 indicated potentially unsafe lev-
els of contamination on at least one
Table 29. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at New Duluth
Days in Minnesota in 2018
Boat Club landing facility in St.
Percentage of Louis County tested as potentially
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially unsafe for 16 days, more days than
Unsafe Water
any other site in the state, and 43
New Duluth Boat
Club landing facility
St. Louis County 16 37 43% percent of the days that sampling
Approximately 5 miles took place. In Lake County, the av-
southeast of Duluth St. Louis County 10 29 34% erage beach was potentially unsafe
Aerial Lift Bridge
for swimming on 13 percent of the
Agate Bay Lake County 5 17 29%
Twin Points
Public Access higher percentage than any other
Flood Bay Lake County 3 14 21% county in the state.
Leif Erikson Park St. Louis County 3 28 11%
Mouth of the
Gooseberry River
Burlington Bay Lake County 2 14 14%
Duluth Lake Walk
St. Louis County 2 27 7%
on Canal Park
Mouth of the
St. Louis County 2 13 15%
Lester River

2018 for Beaches in Minnesota Counties
County
Lake County 13%
St. Louis County 9%
Cook County 5%

Mississippi
ĤĤIn Mississippi, 21 tested

sampled in Mississippi. Of beaches
all 21 indicated potentially unsafe
Table 31. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Gulf-
Days in Mississippi in 2018 port East Beach in Harrison County
Potentially
in 2018
Gulfport East Beach Harrison County 44 66 67% days that sampling took place. In
Shearwater Beach Jackson County 35 64 55% Harrison County, the average beach
Long Beach Harrison County 35 67 52% was potentially unsafe for swim-
Gulfport Central ming on 50 percent of the days
Harrison County 35 62 56%
Beach
Courthouse
Road Beach percentage than any other county
Front Beach Jackson County 33 60 55% in the state.
Edgewater Beach Harrison County 32 61 52%
Pass Christian
West Beach
Biloxi West
Central Beach
Pass Christian
East Beach

2018 for Beaches in Mississippi Counties
County
Harrison County 50%
Jackson County 48%
Hancock County 35%

New Hampshire
ĤĤIn New Hampshire,
15 tested beach sites were
in 2018.

pled in New Hampshire. Of beaches
15 indicated potentially unsafe lev-
els of contamination on at least one
Days in New Hampshire in 2018
day. A sampling site at State Beach-
Percentage of
Potentially
Days with Sampling Days Left in Rockingham County tested
Sampling with Potentially as potentially unsafe for 5 days,
in 2018
Unsafe Water
more days than any other site in the
Rockingham
State Beach-Left 5 26 19%
County state, and 19 percent of the days
State Beach-Center
Rockingham
5 27 19%
that sampling took place. In Rock-
County
ingham County, the only county
New Castle Rockingham
Island-Right County
4 23 17% where testing took place,, the aver-
Rockingham age beach was potentially unsafe
State Beach-Right 3 26 12%
County for swimming on 3 percent of the
Sawyer Beach-Right
Rockingham
2 8 25% days that sampling took place.
County
Hampton Harbor Rockingham
1 8 12%
Beach-Center County
Wallis Sands State Rockingham
1 23 4%
Park-Center County
Wallis Sands Beach Rockingham
1 24 4%
At Wallis Road-Right County
New Castle Rockingham
1 23 4%
Island-Center County
Hampton Harbor Rockingham
1 9 11%
Beach-Left County

2018 for Beaches in New Hampshire Counties (Only One County with
Testing Data)
County
Rockingham County 3%

New Jersey
ĤĤIn New Jersey, 133 tested

sampled in New Jersey. Of beaches
Table 35. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Beach-
Days in New Jersey in 2018 wood Beach West in Ocean County
Potentially Days
Sampling Days
with Potentially days, more days than any other site
in 2018 Sampling
Berkeley Township at days that sampling took place. In
Ocean County 14 22 64%
Beachwood Beach West
Belmar Borough at Monmouth
Monmouth County, the average
11 21 52%
L Street Beach County beach was potentially unsafe for
Berkeley Township at
Ocean County 8 19 42% swimming on 9 percent of the days
West Beach Avon Rd
Brick Township at
Windward Beach
Ocean County 8 22 36% percentage than any other county
Highlands Borough at Monmouth in the state.
8 19 42%
Highlands Rec Center County
Berkeley Township at
East Beach Station Ave
Barnegat Light
Borough at 25th St
Upper Township at Cape May
5 21 24%
Beesley's Point Beach County
Long Beach Township
at New Jersey
Ocean Gate Borough
at Anglesea

2018 for Beaches in New Jersey Counties
County
Monmouth County 9%
Ocean County 9%
Atlantic County 4%
Cape May County 2%
Hunterdon County 0%

New York
ĤĤIn New York, 276 tested

sampled in New York. Of beaches
Table 37. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Tanner
Days in New York in 2018
Park in Suffolk County tested as
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially days than any other site in the state,
Unsafe Water
and 68 percent of the days that
Tanner Park Suffolk County 48 71 68%
sampling took place. In Erie County,
Woodlawn Beach
State Park
Erie County 47 104 45% the average beach was potentially
Shirley Beach Suffolk County 28 47 60% unsafe for swimming on 30 percent
Venetian Shores Suffolk County 28 48 58% of the days that sampling took
Valley Grove Beach Suffolk County 24 51 47% place, a higher percentage than any
Sayville Marina Park Suffolk County 23 43 53% other county in the state.
Benjamins Beach Suffolk County 21 49 43%
Corey Creek Beach Suffolk County 20 40 50%
Biltmore Beach Nassau County 20 62 32%
East Islip Beach Suffolk County 20 40 50%
Table 38. Top 10 New York Counties by Average Percentage of

County
Erie County 30%
Chautauqua County 25%
Niagara County 24%
Monroe County 21%
Jefferson County 15%
Suffolk County 15%
Westchester County 11%
Richmond County 11%
Cayuga County 10%
Queens County 9%

North Carolina
ĤĤIn North Carolina, 127
tested beach sites were
in 2018.

pled in North Carolina. Of beaches
Days in North Carolina in 2018
one day. A sampling site by the in-
Percentage tersection of E. Main St. and Tooley
Potentially
Days of Sampling
Unsafe
Sampling Site County
Days in
with Days with St., Belhaven in Beaufort County
Sampling Potentially
2018
Unsafe Water tested as potentially unsafe for 11
Sound access at the intersection of days, more days than any other
Beaufort County 11 35 31%
E. Main St. and Tooley St., Belhaven site in the state, and 31 percent of
NC Maritime Museum Sailing the days that sampling took place.
Carteret County 8 41 20%
Camp on Taylors Creek
Pamlico River- City Park Beaufort County 8 17 47%
In Beaufort County, the average
Public Access end of Shore Line Dr. Pender County 7 39 18%
Pamlico River - Washington
Beaufort County 7 17 41%
- Railroad Trestle days that sampling took place, a
Green Spring Swim Area in Neuse River Craven County 7 33 21% higher percentage than any other
Ragged Point Swim Area
Beaufort County 7 34 21% county in the state.
in Pamlico River
Mouth of Slocum Creek,
Craven County 7 18 39%
north side beach
Intracoastal Waterway, near Brunswick
6 19 32%
marker #67, Sailfish Street (HB) County
Lennoxville Boat Ramp Carteret County 6 17 35%
Table 40. Top 10 North Carolina Counties by Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in 2018
Average Percentage of Sampling Average Percentage of Sampling
County Days with Potentially Unsafe County Days with Potentially Unsafe
Water for Beaches in County Water for Beaches in County
Beaufort County 28% Dare County 5%
Craven County 17% Brunswick County 3%
Pamlico County 10% New Hanover County 3%
Carteret County 7% Pender County 3%
Onslow County 6% Hyde County 3%

Ohio
ĤĤIn Ohio, 56 tested beach
day in 2018.

pled in Ohio. Of beaches where
sampling took place, tests at 56 in-
dicated potentially unsafe levels of
contamination on at least one day.
Table 41. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming A sampling site at Bay View West
Days in Ohio in 2018
in Erie County tested as potentially
Percentage of unsafe for 48 days, more days than
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially any other site in the state, and 69
Unsafe Water
percent of the days that sampling
Bay View West Erie County 48 70 69%
took place. Maumee Bay State
Maumee Bay State
Park (Inland)
Lucas County 43 56 77% Park (Inland), in Lucas County, was
Villa Angela State Park Cuyahoga County 42 115 37% potentially unsafe on 43 of 56 test-
Lakeview Beach Lorain County 39 60 65% ing days, or 77 percent of the days
Euclid State Park Cuyahoga County 38 112 34% that sampling took place. In Lucas
Sherod Park Beach Erie County 32 67 48% County, the average beach was po-
Lake Front Park Erie County 31 69 45% tentially unsafe for swimming on 67
Huntington Beach Cuyahoga County 31 105 30% percent of the days that sampling
Maumee Bay took place, a higher percentage
Lucas County 31 54 57%
State Park (Erie) than any other county in the state.
Bay View East Erie County 25 69 36%

2018 for Beaches in Ohio Counties
County
Lucas County 67%
Lorain County 39%
Cuyahoga County 34%
Erie County 28%
Lake County 22%
Ashtabula County 20%
Ottawa County 10%

Oregon
ĤĤIn Oregon, 18 tested beach
day in 2018.

pled in Oregon. Of beaches where
Table 43. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming day. A sampling site at Sunset Bay
Days in Oregon in 2018 State Park Beach at the mouth of
Potentially Days
Percentage of Big Creek in Coos County tested
Sampling Days
with Potentially as potentially unsafe for 11 days,
in 2018 Sampling
Unsafe Water more days than any other site in
Sunset Bay State Park Beach the state, and 61 percent of the
Coos County 11 18 61%
at mouth of Big Creek
Nye Beach turnaround at
Lincoln County 5 11 45%
outflow from discharge pipe Coos County, the average beach
Harris Beach State
Curry County 5 7 71% was potentially unsafe for swim-
Park at Harris Creek
Sunset Bay, Seep Creek Coos County 5 11 45%
Sunset Bay State Park Beach
at North beach access
Coos County 4 18 22% percentage than any other county
Sunset Bay State Park in the state.
Coos County 3 17 18%
Beach at restroom
Sunset Bay, North
Coos County 3 4 75%
Parking Lot Creek
Seal Rock Beach at the
Lincoln County 2 10 20%
mouth of Hill Creek
Twin rocks Beach at Tillamook
2 8 25%
Watseco Creek County
Hubbard Creek Beach
Curry County 2 5 40%
at Hubbard Creek

2018 for Beaches in Oregon Counties
County
Coos County 25%
Curry County 15%
Lincoln County 9%
Tillamook County 5%
Clatsop County 3%
Lane County 0%

Pennsylvania
ĤĤIn Pennsylvania, 27 tested

pled in Pennsylvania. Of beaches
levels of contamination on at
Table 45. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming least one day. A sampling site at
Days in Pennsylvania in 2018
Beach 11 West in Thompson Bay in
Percentage of Erie County tested as potentially
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially unsafe for 17 days, more days than
Unsafe Water
any other site in the state, and 44
Beach 11 West in
Thompson Bay
Erie County 17 39 44% percent of the days that sampling
Beach 11 East in took place. In Erie County, the aver-
Erie County 17 39 44%
Thompson Bay age beach was potentially unsafe
Beach 11 Center in
Erie County 16 39 41% for swimming on 19 percent of the
Thompson Bay
days that sampling took place.
Barracks Beach West Erie County 9 31 29%
Barracks Beach East Erie County 7 31 23%
1 East Center Erie County 7 28 25%
Pettinato Beach Center Erie County 6 17 35%
Pine Tree Beach East Erie County 6 31 19%
Barracks Beach Center Erie County 6 31 19%
Beach 6 Center Erie County 6 32 19%
Table 46. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days

in 2018 for Beaches in Pennsylvania Counties (Only One County with
Testing Data)
County
Erie County 19%

Puerto Rico
ĤĤIn Puerto Rico, 76 tested

sampled in Puerto Rico. Of beaches
Table 47. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Playa
Days in Puerto Rico in 2018
Guayanes, Yabucoa in Yabucoa Mu-
Percentage of nicipio tested as potentially unsafe
Potentially Days
Sampling Days
Sampling Site Municipio Unsafe Days with
in 2018 Sampling
with Potentially for 16 days, more days than any
Unsafe Water
other site in the territory, and 48
Yabucoa
Playa Guayanes
Municipio
16 33 48% percent of the days that sampling
Naguabo took place. In Naguabo Municipio,
Tropical Beach 16 33 48%
Municipio the average beach was potentially
Playa Muelle De Arecibo Arecibo Municipio 15 34 44% unsafe for swimming on 71 percent
Balneario Manuel “Nolo” Dorado
7 28 25% of the days that sampling took
Morales O Sardinera Municipio
place, a higher percentage than
Humacao
Balneario Punta Santiago 7 28 25%
Municipio any other municipio in the territory.
Balneario Punta Guilarte Arroyo Municipio 6 26 23%
Balneario Tres Hermanos Añasco Municipio 6 27 22%
Balneario Pico De Piedra Aguada Municipio 6 26 23%
Playa Vacia Talega Loíza Municipio 5 28 18%
Balneario Punta Salinas Toa Baja Municipio 5 27 19%
Table 48. Top 10 Puerto Rico Municipios by Average Percentage of

Average Percentage of Sampling Days with Potentially
Municipio
Unsafe Water for Beaches in Municipio
Naguabo Municipio 71%
Guayama Municipio 67%
Mayagüez Municipio 67%
Humacao Municipio 65%
Maunabo Municipio 50%
Yabucoa Municipio 50%
Santa Isabel Municipio 42%
Salinas Municipio 35%
Juana Díaz Municipio 33%
Guayanilla Municipio 33%

Rhode Island
ĤĤIn Rhode Island, 54 tested

pled in Rhode Island. Of beaches
Table 49. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Easton’s
Days in Rhode Island in 2018
Beach in Newport County tested as
Potentially
in 2018
Unsafe Water
Easton's Beach Newport County 10 29 34%
that sampling took place. In Kent
Conimicut Point
Beach -West
Kent County 6 25 24% County, the average beach was po-
Goddard Memorial tentially unsafe for swimming on 14
Kent County 5 27 19%
State Park -Center percent of the days that sampling
Sandy Point
Newport County 5 26 19% took place, a higher percentage
Beach -South
than any other county in the state.
Oakland Beach -Center Kent County 5 26 19%
Sandy Point
Newport County 5 26 19%
Beach -North
Goddard Memorial
State Park -West
Oakland Beach -East Kent County 4 26 15%
Conimicut Point
Beach -East
Goddard Memorial
State Park -East

2018 for Beaches in Rhode Island Counties
County
Kent County 14%
Newport County 12%
Bristol County 10%
Washington County 5%

South Carolina
ĤĤIn South Carolina, 55 tested

pled in South Carolina. Of beaches
Table 51. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at With-
Days in South Carolina in 2018
ers Swash in Horry County tested
Potentially
in 2018
Unsafe Water
the state, and 46 percent of the
Withers Swash Horry County 32 70 46%
Myrtle Beach at
24th Ave. N
Horry County 30 70 43% Horry County, the average beach
White Point Swash Horry County 26 70 37% was potentially unsafe for swim-
Bear Branch Swash Horry County 26 70 37% ming on 20 percent of the days
Cane Patch Swash Horry County 26 70 37% that sampling took place, a higher
Midway Swash Horry County 25 70 36% percentage than any other county
Myrtle Beach at in the state.
Horry County 21 72 29%
34th Ave. N
Myrtle Beach at
8th Ave. N
North Myrtle Beach
at 17th Ave. S
Myrtle Beach at
23rd Ave. S

2018 for Beaches in South Carolina Counties
County
Horry County 20%
Beaufort County 2%
Georgetown County 2%
Colleton County 1%
Charleston County 1%

Texas
ĤĤIn Texas, 141 tested beach
day in 2018.

sampled in Texas. Of beaches
Table 53. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Cole
Days in Texas in 2018
Park - Site 3 in Nueces County
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially days, more days than any other
Unsafe Water
Cole Park - Site 3 Nueces County 52 64 81%
Ropes Park - Site 2 Nueces County 43 59 73%
In Chambers County, the average
Poenisch Park Nueces County 35 55 64%
Corpus Christi
Marina South
Nueces County 34 54 63% higher percentage than any other
Cole Park - Site 6 Nueces County 26 46 57% county in the state.
Sylvan Beach - South Chambers County 21 45 47%
Texas City Dike Galveston County 20 43 47%
Sylvan Beach - North Chambers County 18 45 40%

2018 for Beaches in Texas Counties
County
Chambers County 44%
San Patricio County 27%
Jefferson County 23%
Matagorda County 23%
Nueces County 22%
Aransas County 20%
Galveston County 13%
Brazoria County 12%
Cameron County 2%

Virginia
ĤĤIn Virginia, 19 tested beach
day in 2018.

sampled in Virginia. Of beaches
Table 55. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at North
Days in Virginia in 2018
Community Beach in Norfolk City
Potentially
in 2018
Sampling with Potentially days, more days than any other
Unsafe Water
North Community
Beach
Norfolk city 7 18 39% the days that sampling took place.
Captains Quarters Norfolk city 5 18 28% In Norfolk city, the average beach
10th View, Behind was potentially unsafe for swim-
Quality Inn,1010 W Norfolk city 4 18 22% ming on 18 percent of the days
Ocean View Ave
Virginia
15th Street 4 20 20%
Beach city percentage than any other county
13th View, North End Norfolk city 3 18 17% in the state.
Sarah Constant
Norfolk city 3 18 17%
Park, East End
5th Bay St., North End Norfolk city 2 19 11%
Capeview Ave.,
North End
East Community
Beach, End Of East Norfolk city 2 19 11%
Ocean View Ave.
Ocean View Park, East
Side Of Parking Lot

2018 for Beaches in Virginia Counties
County
Norfolk city 18%
Hampton city 6%
Virginia Beach city 3%
Accomack County 2%

Washington
ĤĤIn Washington, 89 tested

sampled in Washington. Of beach-
es where sampling took place, tests
Table 57. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Sooes
Days in Washington in 2018
Beach in Clallam County tested as
Potentially Days
Sampling Days
in 2018 Sampling
with Potentially days than any other site in the
Unsafe Water
Sooes Beach Clallam County 7 41 17%
that sampling took place. In What-
Lummi Bay directly
adjacent to second tidegate
Whatcom County 5 34 15% com County, the average beach
Dakwas Park Beach, Neah Bay Clallam County 5 48 10% was potentially unsafe for swim-
Little Squalicum Park Whatcom County 5 15 33% ming on 12 percent of the days
Cline Spit County Park Clallam County 4 15 27% that sampling took place, a higher
Golden Gardens King County 4 14 29% percentage than any other county
Richey Viewpoint King County 4 13 31% in the state.
Kayak Point County Park Snohomish County 3 17 18%
Dakwas Park Beach, Neah Bay Clallam County 3 48 6%
Hollywood Beach Clallam County 3 16 19%
Table 58. Top 10 Washington Counties by Average Percentage of

County
Whatcom County 12%
Island County 7%
King County 6%
Clallam County 5%
Skagit County 5%
Snohomish County 5%
Jefferson County 3%
Kitsap County 3%
Mason County 2%
Pierce County 2%

Wisconsin
ĤĤIn Wisconsin, 111 tested

sampled in Wisconsin. Of beaches
Table 59. Top 10 Beach Sites by Most Potentially Unsafe Swimming one day. A sampling site at Cu-
Days in Wisconsin in 2018
pertino Park in Milwaukee County
Potentially
in 2018
Unsafe Water
in the state, and 67 percent of the
Cupertino Park Milwaukee County 40 60 67%
McKinley Marina
Roundhouse
Milwaukee County 36 61 59% Ashland County, the average beach
Wolfenbuttel Park Kenosha County 27 51 53% was potentially unsafe for swim-
North Nicolet Bay ming on 49 percent of the days
Door County 18 59 31%
Campground that sampling took place, a higher
Racine North
Racine County 18 65 28% percentage than any other county
Beach - Site 1
in the state.
Racine North
Racine County 18 65 28%
Beach - Site 3
Racine North Beach -
Site 4 (northernmost)
Racine North
Beach - Site 2
Memorial Park in
Ashland County 16 30 53%
Chequamegon Bay
Grant Park Milwaukee County 16 37 43%
Table 60. Top 10 Wisconsin Counties by Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in 2018
Average Percentage of Sampling Average Percentage of Sampling
County Days with Potentially Unsafe County Days with Potentially Unsafe
Water for Beaches in County Water for Beaches in County
Ashland County 49% Racine County 22%
Douglas County 40% Sheboygan County 21%
Kenosha County 31% Ozaukee County 15%
Milwaukee County 27% Bayfield County 11%
Manitowoc County 26% Door County 8%

Conclusion and Policy
Recommendations
I
n every corner of the country, Americans should • Upgrade or relocate wastewater facilities that
be able to enjoy beaches that are clean and safe are in danger of overflowing during storms and
for swimming. There are many steps that com- floods.
munities can take to keep beaches safe.
• Ensure more frequent inspections and proper
Policymakers at every level of government should maintenance of residential septic systems.
take actions to prevent dangerous pollution from
Prevent manure pollution.
reaching the beaches where Americans swim, includ-
ing the following: • Enact moratoriums on new or expanded industri-
al-scale livestock operations, especially in water-
Prevent urban runoff pollution.
sheds already overburdened by manure pollution.
• Dramatically increase public investment in natural
• Require best practices for reducing manure pollu-
and green infrastructure features that prevent
tion from cropland, including the maintenance of
bacteria-laden pollution, such as rain barrels, perme-
conservation buffers set up around fields.
able pavement, urban greenspace, and green roofs
• Encourage livestock operations to raise animals on
• Require the use of green infrastructure in new devel-
rotational pasture.
opment/redevelopment and use additional policy
tools to promote its use at existing development. Policymakers should also take actions to provide
beachgoers with the information they need to
• Protect and restore natural infrastructure, includ-
stay safe, including the following:
ing riparian areas and wetlands that can filter
bacteria, sediment and nutrients. • Use the EPA’s most protective “Beach Action Value”
bacteria standard for posting beach advisories.
Prevent sewage pollution.
• Put in place systems for same-day water testing
• Dramatically increase public investment in fixing
and warnings, particularly during times of heavy
aging sewage systems and using green infrastruc-
water recreation.32
ture to prevent sewage overflows by reducing the
quantity or rate of water flowing into sewer systems.31 Finally, federal policymakers should maintain a strong
Clean Water Act that protects all streams and other
• Strengthen enforcement of standards for municipal
waterways that flow to our beaches and wetlands
wastewater treatment, as opposed to allowing a
that help filter out pollution before it reaches the
“blending” of partially treated sewage into wastewater.
places where we swim.

Methodology
N
ational beach data was downloaded from were assumed to be whatever result followed
the National Water Quality Monitoring the symbol.
Council’s Water Quality Data portal on 20
• Certain errors in latitude and longitude values
May 2019.33 Sampling data was included in this analy-
from the Water Quality Data portal were corrected.
sis if it met the following criteria:
For example, latitude and longitude values were
• Result parameter CharacteristicName: Enterrococ- swapped for many South Carolina sites.
cus or Escherichia coli.
Beach sites were considered “potentially unsafe” if
• Station parameter MonitoringLocationTypeName: samples exceeded the EPA’s Beach Action Value (BAV),
BEACH Program Site-Estuary, BEACH Program which corresponds to an estimated illness rate of 32
Site-Great Lake, BEACH Program Site-Ocean, Great per 1,000 swimmers and assumes that single samples
Lake, Ocean, or Ocean: Coastal. represent the 75th percentile of a sample site’s bacteria
distribution.34 BAVs are more stringent than the EPA’s
Some data cleanup and categorization were per-
recommended criteria for recreational water quality.
formed before conducting the analysis:
The EPA suggests states use them “as a conservative,
• Because not all beach station data included an precautionary tool for making beach notification
associated county, beach stations were associated decisions.”35 For enterococcus, the BAV threshold is 60
with counties by performing an analysis overlay- colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/mL), and for E.
ing station latitude and longitude data with coli the BAV is 190 cfu/mL (or, for both, the equivalent
geographic county data downloaded from the “most probable number” or MPN/mL).
U.S. Census Bureau.
For the purposes of this analysis, bacteria tests were
• Samples with parameter ResultConditionText grouped together by day to determine “potentially
of “Not Detected,” “Detected Not Quantified” unsafe days.” If multiple tests occurred on a single
and other similar entries were treated as safe day, and one of those tests exceeded the safe limit for
samples. Samples with ResultConditionText bacteria, that day was considered an “unsafe day.”
of “Present Above Quantification Limit” were
Average percentage of unsafe days by county, used for
treated as unsafe.
county comparisons, were calculated by averaging per-
• Measure values that included a “<” (less than) centages of unsafe sampling days for all beaches within
symbol were treated as safe samples. Measure each county (as opposed to dividing the total number of
values that included a “>” (more than) symbol unsafe beach days by total sampling days in the county).
Methodology 41
Notes
1 Bacteria sample and testing site data source: Na- 10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013–
tional Water Quality Monitoring Council, Water Quality Data, 2014 Recreational Water–associated Outbreak Surveillance
downloaded from https://www.waterqualitydata.us/portal/ Report Supplemental Tables, archived at http://web.archive.
on 20 May 2019. See Methodology for details. Data was org/web/20181209150147/https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-
downloaded separately for testing results, “Sample Results water/surveillance/recreational/2013-2014-tables.html.
(Physical/Chemical Metadata),” and for sampling stations.
11 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,
2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2012 Recre- Six TMDLs for Bacteria in Oyster Waters: Improving Water
ational Water Quality Criteria, 2012, archived at http://web. Quality in Upper Texas Coast Bays and Estuaries, March 2017,
archive.org/web/20190502174719/https://www.epa.gov/ archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20180304114648/
sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/rwqc2012.pdf. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/waterquality/
tmdl/74uppercoast/74-uppercoastbacteria-po.pdf.
3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National
Beach Guidance and Required Performance Criteria for 12 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, BEACON
Grants, 2014 Edition, 31 July 2014, archived at https://web. - Beach Advisory and Closing On-line Notification - Beach
archive.org/web/20180706154821/https://nepis.epa.gov/ Actions (Advisories and Closures), data for 2018 downloaded
Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100KZDK.PDF?Dockey=P100KZDK.PDF. on 31 May 2019 from https://watersgeo.epa.gov/beacon2/.
4 See Table 3: Stephanie DeFlorio-Barker et al., “Es- 13 Leslie Nemo, “How Chicago Got a Lot Faster
timate of Incidence and Cost of Recreational Waterborne at Beach Water Warnings,” CityLab, 14 June 2019, avail-
Illness on United States Surface Waters,” Environ Health, able at https://www.citylab.com/environment/2019/06/
doi: 10.1186/s12940-017-0347-9, 9 January 2018. safe-beaches-swim-chicago-lake-water-quality-test-
alert/591727/.
5 See note 3.
14 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water
6 See note 2.
Quality Assessment - National Summary of State Information,
7 R.G. Sinclair et al., “Viruses in Recreational Water- accessed on 31 May 2019 at https://ofmpub.epa.gov/wa-
Borne Disease Outbreaks: A Review,” J Appl Microbiol, 107(6), ters10/attains_nation_cy.control#COASTAL.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04367.x, December 2009.
15 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
8 See note 4. tion, Coastal Land Cover Change Summary Report 1996–
2010, date not given, archived on 4 March 2017 at http://
9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Out- web.archive.org/web/20170304210552/https://coast.noaa.
breaks Associated with Untreated Recreational Water — gov/data/digitalcoast/pdf/landcover-report-summary.pdf.
United States, 2000–2014,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report 2018, 29 June 2018, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/
mmwr.mm6725a1External.

16 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Report to Con- 27 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Protect-
gress on Impacts and Control of Combined Sewer Overflows and ing Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff, March 2005,
Sanitary Sewer Overflows, August 2004, archived at http://web. archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20170801222640/
archive.org/web/20170525051046/https://www.epa.gov/sites/ https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/
production/files/2015-10/documents/csossortc2004_full.pdf. documents/ag_runoff_fact_sheet.pdf; Pramod K Pandey
et al., “Contamination of Water Resources by Pathogenic
17 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Beach
Bacteria,” AMB Express, doi: 10.1186/s13568-014-0051-x,
Closures, archived on 12 April 2019 at http://web.archive.
28 June 2014; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
org/web/20190412165744/https://www.whoi.edu/know-
Microbial Source Tracking: How Did That Get in There?, 10
your-ocean/ocean-topics/pollution/beach-closures/.
September 2018, archived at http://web.archive.org/
18 See note 16. web/20190417152134/https://www.epa.gov/science-
matters/microbial-source-tracking-how-did-get-there;
19 Ibid. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Using Microbial
Source Tracking to Support TMDL Development and Imple-
20 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sanitary
mentation, April 2011, archived at http://web.archive.
Sewer Overflows (SSOs), archived on 4 June 2019 at http://
org/web/20170717011753/https://www.epa.gov/sites/
web.archive.org/web/20190604222204/https://www.epa.
production/files/2015-07/documents/mst_for_tmdls_
gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflows-ssos.
guide_04_22_11.pdf.
21 See note 16.
28 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Protect-
22 Exfiltration: Robert Amick and Edward Burgess, ing Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff, March 2005,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Exfiltration in Sewer archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20170801222640/
Systems, March 2003, available at https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/docu-
ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P100E5PY.txt; Infiltration: U.S. Environ- ments/ag_runoff_fact_sheet.pdf.
mental Protection Agency, Sanitary Sewer Overflows, 2014,
29 Vikram Kapoor, “Real-Time Quantitative PCR
archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20170630223708/
Measurements of Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Human-
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/docu-
Associated Source Tracking Markers in a Texas River
ments/epa-green-infrastructure-factsheet-3-080612.pdf.
following Hurricane Harvey,” Environmental Science and
23 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Decen- Technology Letters, DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00237, 10
tralized Wastewater Treatment Systems, A Program Strat- May 2018.
egy, January 2005, archived at http://web.archive.org/
30 See note 2.
web/20170702143702/https://www.epa.gov/sites/produc-
tion/files/2015-06/documents/septic_program_strategy.pdf. 31 Philadelphia Water Department, Green Stormwa-
ter Infrastructure, archived on 12 October 2018 at http://
24 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National
web.archive.org/web/20181012165740/http://phillywater-
Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution
sheds.org:80/what_were_doing/green_infrastructure.
from Urban Areas, November 2005, archived at http://web.ar-
chive.org/web/20170626233124/https://www.epa.gov/sites/ 32 See note 13.
production/files/2015-09/documents/urban_guidance_0.pdf.
33 See note 1.
25 See note 17.
34 See note 2.
26 Christy Manyi-Loh et al., “An Overview of the Con-
trol of Bacterial Pathogens in Cattle Manure,” J Environ Res 35 Ibid.
Public Health, September 2016, doi: 10.3390/ijerph13090843.
Notes 43

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Safe for Swimming?

Water Quality at Our Beaches

Layout: Alec Meltzer/meltzerdesign.net

Conclusion and Policy Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

2 Safe for Swimming?

4 Safe for Swimming?

6 Safe for Swimming?

Fecal Contamination of Swimming Areas Poses a Public Health Threat 7

8 Safe for Swimming?

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 9

In 2018, 25 beach sites were

Table 2. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

10 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 584 beach sites were

Table 4. Top 10 California Counties by Average Percentage of

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 11

In 2018, 113 beach sites were

Table 6. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

12 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 23 beach sites were

Table 8. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 13

In 2018, 263 beach sites were

Table 10. Top 10 Florida Counties by Average Percentage of

14 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 26 beach sites were sam-

Table 12. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 15

In 2018, 218 beach sites were

Table 14. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

16 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 19 beach sites were sam-

Table 16. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in 2018

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 17

In 2018, 23 beach sites were sam-

Table 18. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

18 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 24 beach sites were

Table 20. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 19

In 2018, 85 beach sites were sam-

Table 22. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

20 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 158 beach sites were

Table 24. Top 10 Maryland Counties by Average Percentage of

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 21

In 2018, 583 beach sites were sam-

22 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 207 beach sites were

Table 28. Top 10 Michigan Counties by Average Percentage of

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 23

In 2018, 42 beach sites were

Table 30. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

24 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 21 beach sites were

Table 32. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 25

In 2018, 47 beach sites were sam-

Table 34. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

26 Safe for Swimming?

In 2018, 356 beach sites were

Table 36. Average Percentage of Potentially Unsafe Sampling Days in

American Beaches Are Often Unsafe for Swimming 27