WASHINGTON (August 7, 2007) – The water at
American beaches was unsafe for swimming a record number of days last year,
according to the 17th annual beach water quality report released today by
the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Using data just collected from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the report, “Testing the Waters:
A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches,” tallied more than 25,000
closing and health advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches in
2006. The number of no-swim days caused by stormwater more than doubled from
the year before.
“Vacations are being ruined. Families can’t
use the beaches in their own communities because they are polluted. Kids are
getting sick – all because of sewage and contaminated runoff from
outdated, under-funded treatment systems,” said Nancy Stoner, director of
NRDC’s water program.
In addition to compiling data on 3,500 U.S.
beaches, the report this year takes an especially close look at the
nation’s highest risk beaches – those that are either very popular, very
close to pollution sources, or both. Of those highest risk beaches, Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Rhode Island, and Minnesota ranked the worst for failing
to meet national health standards. This new area of focus is the result of a
peer review process NRDC undertook with five professionals from local and
state health agencies, academia, and the research community. Click
here for the full report.
Aging and poorly-designed sewage and storm water
systems hold much of the blame for beach water pollution. The problem was
compounded by record rainfall, which added to the strain on already
overloaded infrastructure. The authors also say that careless urban sprawl
in coastal areas is devouring wetlands and other natural buffers such as
dunes and beach grass that would otherwise help filter out dangerous
pollution.
“A summer rainstorm should not have to mean
that endless amounts of pollution are washed down to the beach, or that
sewers will overflow. We can fix leaky pipes; we can require costal
developers to maintain vegetation to absorb rain. The solutions are out
there,” Stoner said.
Sewage spills and overflows caused 1,301 beach
closing and advisory days in 2006, an increase of 402 days from 2005.
Elevated bacteria levels from miscellaneous sources, such as boat discharges
or wildlife, accounted for 410 closing and advisory days, an increase of 77
days from 2005. In addition, more than 14,000 closing and advisory days were
due to unknown sources of pollution.
Not only are the beaches polluted, the way they
are tested is also failing the American public, according to NRDC public
health and water experts. The current beach water quality standards are 20
years old and rely on obsolete monitoring methods and outdated science that
leave beachgoers vulnerable to a range of waterborne illnesses. Risks
include gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory ailments and
other serious health problems. For senior citizens, small children, and
people with weak immune systems, the results can be fatal.
“What this report means for families heading
to the beach this weekend is that they need to be careful. That means they
need to do a little homework,” said Stoner. “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.”
Beach Buddies and Beach Bums
Based on the report’s findings, NRDC today
announced the best and worst beaches for protecting beachgoers from
contaminated water. This year there are 13 Beach Buddies, six
Beach Bums, and for the first time, a Beach Hero.
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
For the first time this year NRDC is recognizing
an individual as a Beach Hero. Dr. Carl Berg of
Hawaii, a marine ecologist and long-time water quality champion, was
nominated as a Beach Buddy by the staff of the Hawaii Department of Health
for his work with the Hanalei Heritage River organization and the Hanalei
Watershed Hui. Dr. Berg worked to set up monitoring
programs for the beaches, rivers and streams of Hanalei Bay and to protect
them by replacing cesspools on beach parks and on private land along the
river, working with farmers to reduce sediment discharge, and developing
best practices to protect the upper watershed.
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%)
NRDC is also offering beachgoers an opportunity
to discuss their personal Beach Bums and Beach Buddies. To post a
comment, visit NRDC's new Your Oceans
website, where you also will find fun summer tips for having a safe and
healthy time at the beach this summer season.
About the 2007 Beach Protection Act
In May, the Beach Protection Act of 2007 (H.R.
2537/S. 1506) was introduced in the U.S. Congress, reauthorizing the Beaches
Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act) of 2000. If
passed, the Act will mandate the use of rapid testing methods to detect
beach water contamination in two hours or less so that beachgoers can be
notified of public health risks promptly. The Act will also increase the
amount of grant money available to states from $30 million to $60 million
annually through 2012, and expand the uses of grant funds to include source
tracking and pollution prevention.