Some cities also have joint sewer and stormwater systems that can overflow—this leads to “a mixture of raw, untreated sewage and stormwater” that can sometimes flow onto recreational beaches, said Rumpler. Runoff water from large farms can sometimes also contaminate beaches, he added, as can feces from wildlife.
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Sewage spills, sewage overflows, and contaminated stormwater send microbe-containing fecal matter into rivers, lakes, and storm drains which eventually flow into the ocean. Therefore, all bodies of water (fresh and salt) can be impacted by this sickness-inducing pollution.
Beaches, like swimming pools, can be contaminated with poop, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on your summer plans. But, you should consider checking the beach's water quality levels before going for a swim.
According to a recent report from Environment America, 55 percent of the 3,192 beaches around the country that were regularly tested for potential contamination by government researchers in 2022 had potentially unsafe levels of bacteria on at least one testing day.
West Coast beaches were the second-most contaminated at 70%, according to the report. Among beaches in the Great Lakes, 63% were found to have unsafe levels on at least one day. For East Coast beaches, the share of contaminated beaches was 48%.
Environment America, a national network of 30 state environmental groups, tested over 3,000 beaches across the country and found that a whopping 55% of them had fecal contamination at potentially hazardous levels.
As water flows from land to coastal waters, it is often contaminated by untreated sewage from boats, pets, failing septic systems, fertilizers, and spills from hazardous substances. High levels of bacteria and other chemicals in the water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses in those who swim directly in the water.
Some two-thirds of Great Lakes beaches that were tested had at least one unsafe day, according to the Environment America report. In Ohio and Pennsylvania, which border Lake Erie, all but three of the tested beaches had at least one unsafe day last year.
In all that litter, there is one item more common than any other: cigarette butts. Cigarette butts are a pervasive, long-lasting, and a toxic form of marine debris.
Naples, FloridaOut of 145 oceanside beach towns, Naples, Florida, took the top spot with its sunny weather and low crime rate. Located on Florida's Paradise Coast along the Gulf of Mexico, the town offers lots to see and do, including pristine, white-sand beaches and day trips to nearby Everglades National Park.