As many Americans flock to the beach for Labor Day weekend, concerns have arisen about water safety. The issue is serious enough that people have been warned about water quality from Crystal River, Florida, all the way to Ogunquit, Maine, due to heightened levels of bacteria linked to fecal waste. Recommendations have been issued against submerging in the water, as exposure can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, skin rashes, and even nausea.
This week, several popular beach spots faced closures. Notable locations included Keys Memorial Beach in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Benjamin’s Beach on Long Island, and a stretch of Imperial Beach shoreline near San Diego. Even Hawaii’s picturesque beaches are not exempt; the Hawaiian Department of Health has indicated high germ counts at Kahalu Beach Park on the Big Island.
This water quality issue has been prevalent for years. A report from Environment America revealed that nearly two-thirds of beaches tested across the U.S. in 2024 experienced at least one day of unsafe fecal contamination levels. The report was released this summer.
The review included coastal and Great Lakes beaches, revealing that a staggering 84% of Gulf Coast beaches exceeded acceptable contamination levels at least once. On the West Coast, that figure stood at 79%, while the East Coast recorded 54%. In the Great Lakes, the number was 71%.
According to the report, over 450 beaches were deemed unsafe for swimming for at least 25% of the testing days. John Lamper, director of clean water at Environment America, attributed this to aging water and sewer systems allowing sewage to pollute swimming areas.
“These beaches are treasures for families across the country,” Lamper noted. “We really need to invest in preventing our waste from contaminating the waters where we swim.”
There are other factors contributing to this pollution, like severe weather events that can overwhelm sewage systems and suburban expansion, which reduces the natural landscape’s ability to manage stormwater.
Despite the warnings, many are still eager to enjoy the ocean. Last month, Yaromyr Oryshkevych was unconcerned about a two-day alert regarding increased fecal indicator bacteria at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. “We don’t think we’re at risk of contamination,” he said, believing the ocean’s natural currents could mitigate local pollution.
Dana West, a federal employee visiting the same beach, shared a memory of a friend who suffered gastrointestinal issues after snorkeling earlier in the year in Mexico. However, he doesn’t foresee any similar troubles in Delaware this weekend.
“But in general, I’m not worried about bacterial levels,” West added, expressing faith that local officials would alert the public if conditions worsened.
Yet, it’s worth noting that several beaches in the Rehoboth area, including Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Beach, received water quality warnings this week. These alerts aren’t always communicated through visible public signs.
Environment America assessed beach safety by comparing fecal bacteria levels to EPA standards that trigger swimming advisories. At such levels, illnesses can affect approximately 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.
Additionally, five beaches in North Carolina were recommended for caution due to increasing fecal bacteria levels. While the beaches remain open, swimmers are warned about potential hazards. Erin Brian Mirsch, an environmental program supervisor in North Carolina, noted that Hurricane Erin and heavy rains have worsened the pollution issues along the coast.
“Storm runoff carries everything,” Mirsch said. “This can be particularly dangerous for those with weakened immune systems.”
