More than half of US beaches contained potentially dangerous levels of fecal bacteria last year, according to a new report by the Environment America Research and Policy Center (EARPC). The analysis of data from 29 states and Puerto Rico found that 58% of 2,620 beaches exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's 'beach action value' on at least one day in 2018.
A total of 605 sites were deemed unsafe on at least a quarter of testing days. The worst-affected states included Illinois, Mississippi, and Louisiana, where every beach tested failed on at least one day. The worst beach overall was Singing Bridge Beach in Michigan, which had unsafe levels each time it was tested.
Fecal contamination, caused by runoff and sewage overflows, can lead to gastrointestinal illness, respiratory disease, and infections, the report noted. Each year, an estimated 57 million cases of recreational waterborne illness occur in the US. John Rumpler, EARPC clean water program director and co-author, said the findings were disappointing but not surprising.
Rumpler warned that climate change is likely to exacerbate the problem, with increasingly severe storms causing more runoff and sewage overflows. However, some communities are investing in green infrastructure such as rain barrels and rooftop gardens to absorb stormwater.
An EPA spokesperson countered that America's beaches were open and safe 95% of the time during the 2018 swimming season, based on its own report. Nonetheless, the EARPC called for increased funding for sewer systems and stronger protections under the Clean Water Act, expressing concern that the Trump administration might weaken rules on sewage treatment plants.
