Which beaches have fecal contamination?

Eighty-four percent of Gulf Coast beaches, 70% of West Coast beaches, and 63% of the Great Lakes reached these potentially unsafe levels at least once in 2022. A tool on the Environment America website shows state-by-state data if you want to see how your local beaches stack up.



People Also Ask

According to a damning new report from Environment America, over half of all U.S. beaches are contaminated with poop. Yep, you read that right. Pollution, overdevelopment, and unsanitary conditions have given many beaches a filthy reputation, making swimming in the water potentially unsafe.

MORE DETAILS

55% of American beaches have unsafe levels of fecal contamination. WASHINGTON (TND) — More than half of all beaches in America had at least one day in 2022 when the water tested positive for potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination, according to the advocacy group Environment America.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Nonprofit group Environment Texas found that 90% of Texas beaches tested in 2022 for fecal bacteria tested positive at least one day. Pathogens in fecal matter pose a health risk to swimmers, sometimes forcing beaches to close for public safety.

MORE DETAILS

Kamilo Beach, located on the south-eastern tip of Hawaii's Big Island, has been dubbed one of the most plastic-polluted spots on the planet.

MORE DETAILS

You can get sick with diarrhea if you swallow contaminated water in pools, hot tubs, splash pads, oceans, lakes, or rivers. In fact, diarrhea is the most common illness reported for outbreaks linked to water in these places.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Distance from sediment sources: Beaches located far from major sediment sources, such as rivers or coastal erosion, tend to have clearer water. Sediments suspended in the water, including particles like sand, silt, or clay, can decrease water clarity and make it appear murky.

MORE DETAILS

Travel disrupts many of the body's natural rhythms, including digestion says Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Time changes, altered eating schedules, and impaired sleep are all likely culprits, especially in those who already have sensitive guts.

MORE DETAILS

However, if you are ready to travel, here are the five cleanest beaches in the world.
  • Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles. The Anse Source d'Argent in Seychelles has long been a favorite among photographers from around the world. ...
  • Maya Bay, Thailand. ...
  • Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia. ...
  • Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos.


MORE DETAILS

Henderson Island, located in the South Pacific, has been named the world's dirtiest island due to the high concentration of plastic debris on its shores. The island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is estimated to have over 37 million pieces of plastic litter on its beaches.

MORE DETAILS

A new study by Environment Texas found that almost every Texas beach tested positive for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in 2022.

MORE DETAILS

HOUSTON - A trip to Texas beaches could leave you and your loved ones sick. A new report by Environment America tested beaches across the U.S. shows for potentially unsafe water quality. It found Texas beaches as a whole did worse than the national average, and some of the worst are in the greater Houston area.

MORE DETAILS