Many US beaches 'have high levels of pollution'

Around ten per cent of US beaches do not meet the benchmark for swimmer safety set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the 24th annual Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) report, a number of water quality samples taken from almost 3,500 Great Lakes and coastal beaches in 2013 contained unsafe levels of bacteria.

The findings show that many beach areas of the US are continuing to suffer serious pollution issues. Historically, the biggest culprits behind the polluting of bathing areas in the US are sewage overflows and stormwater runoff. Not only can these instances cause pollution along beaches, they can also impact drinking and groundwater.

The bacteria spread by sewage and stormwater in bathing water can cause a number of illnesses and conditions, including skin rashes, respiratory infections, stomach flu, eye infections, hepatitis and meningitis. While everyone is at risk from polluted water, children are more prone to develop these illnesses as they tend to swallow more water while swimming.

The EPA estimates that around 3.5 million people a year in the US develop an illness as a result of coming into contact with raw sewage in swimming water.

According to the report, the Great Lakes had the highest level of polluted beaches. They were followed by beaches along the Gulf Coast and the West Coast, and throughout New England. In terms of low pollution levels, the Delmarva region (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia), The New York-New Jersey area and the southeast scored well. Ohio was found to have the highest rate of beaches failing to meet the minimum safety standard. 

Jon Devine, NRDC senior attorney, said: "Sewage and contaminated runoff in the water should never ruin a family beach trip. But no matter where you live, urban slobber and other pollution can seriously compromise the water quality at your favourite beach and make your family sick. To help keep us healthy at the beach and stem the tide of water pollution, our government leaders can finalise a critical proposal - the Clean Water Protection Rule - to restore vital protections for the streams and wetlands that help sustain clean beaches."