Day at the beach no vacation
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released the 17th annual beach water quality report “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches” earlier this week. Using data collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the NRDC found that the “the water at American beaches was unsafe for swimming a record number of days last year.”
More than 25,000 closing and health advisory days were recorded at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches in 2006, double from the previous year. The highest risk beaches were found in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Rhode Island and Minnesota.
The record beach water pollution can be blamed on “aging and poorly-designed sewage and storm water systems” that were overloaded by record rainfall. The other major contributor is urban sprawl that depletes natural buffer zones, areas were stormwater is normally filtered through the ground and vegetation.
The health hazards include gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory ailments and other serious health problems. These are especially dangerous for senior citizens, small children, and people with weak immune systems.
The NRDC advises beachgoers to “Call your local public health authority. Ask them if the beachwater is safe for swimming. And there is any doubt, or if the water smells bad or looks dirty, stay out of it.”
At a glance:
Beach Buddies: Monitored beach water quality regularly, violated public health standards less than 10 percent of the time, and took significant steps to reduce pollution:
- North Carolina: Kure Beach and Kill Devil HillsBeach
- Wisconsin: Sister Bay Beach and North Beach
- California: Laguna Beach
- Michigan: Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park beaches
- Maine: Libby Cove, Mother’s, Middle, Cape Neddick, Short Sands and York Harbor beaches
Beach Bums: Violated public health standards 51 percent or more of the time samples were taken:
- California: Avalon Beach (north of Green Pleasure Pier) (53%) and Venice State Beach (57%)
- Maryland: Hacks Point (60%) and Bay Country Campground and Beach (56%)
- New Jersey: Beachwood Beach West (60%)
- Illinois: Jackson Park Beach (54%)
Further reading: