Latest news with #CleanWaterReport
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
One of the most polluted waterways in the US is in WA. Here's where
Washington is home to one of the most bacteria-ridden beaches in the country, according to the Surfrider Foundation. The nonprofit organization recently released its 2024 Clean Water Report to 'build awareness of issues that affect water quality and your health at the beach.' The report, published on May 20, pinpoints 10 beaches across the United States and Puerto Rico where high bacteria levels consistently exceed state health standards and could put public health at risk. The Surfrider Foundation tested more than 600 sites across the nation, with 80% of samples yielding 'at least one high bacteria result that exceeded state health standards,' according to the report. One urban waterway in Tacoma landed on Surfrider's list of 2024 Beach Bacteria Hot Spots: Thea Foss. It had a 64% rate of unhealthy levels of bacteria detected. The location also made the hot-spot list last year. Across the state, testing took place 41 times in the Northwest Straits, 94 times in the South Sound and 46 times in Olympia. 'The ultimate goal is to use (Surfrider Foundation's) Blue Water Task Force data to find and fix the sources of pollution and prioritize local efforts to restore clean water locally,' the nonprofit notes in a statement about the report. According to the Clean Water Report, Surfrider Foundation chapters measured high bacteria levels in 2024 at multiple sampling sites across the United States. At these bacteria hot spots, the foundation consistently measured levels of high bacteria that exceeded state health standards for recreational waters, the report said. 'That means more than one in every three samples collected fail to meet safe swimming standards at this popular spot for children to play, paddle and splash around in the water,' the Surfrider Foundation report notes. Surfrider Foundation's Blue Water Task Force provides interactive data of testing sites in Washington. Testing locations, with updates through May 2025, include: Olympia - Squaxin Park Steilacoom - Sunnyside Beach University Place - Titlow Beach Tacoma - Thea Foss Floating Dock Tacoma - Jack Hyde Park Tacoma - Lee Davis Dive Steps Point Defiance - Owen Beach Gig Harbor - Jerisich Dock Dash Point - Dash Point State Park Farther north, the Northwest Straits Blue Water Task Force tests waterways in the Bellingham and Whatcom County region. In the last year, three locations there have tested positive for 'high' rates of bacteria that exceed Washington state health safety standards. Those locations include: Fairhaven - Padden Creek Mouth 1 Bellingham - Locust Beach 2 Bellingham - Locust Beach 3 No locations in eastern Washington were tested. If you don't see your beach on the list, you can check Washington's beach status tool through the Department of Ecology for information on specific beaches that are monitored by the state. According to the Surfrider Foundation, these were the 10 most polluted beaches in the United States and Puerto Rico, based on the percentage of samples that tested high for bacteria in 2024: Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor, New York: 43% of samples Ballard Park in Melbourne, Florida: 52% Park View Kayak Launch in Miami Beach, Florida: 90% Playa Crashboat in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico: 23% South Sound Thea Foss Floating Dock in Tacoma, Washington: 64% Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica: 71% San Luis Creek Mouth in Avila Beach: 38% Imperial Beach in San Diego: 82% Kahalu'u in Oahu, Hawai'i: 92% Waikomo Stream at Koloa Landing in Kauai, Hawai'i: 90% A total of 60 Blue Water Task Force labs processed 10,120 water samples collected from 604 distinct sampling sites in 2024, the Surfrider Foundation said. Of those sampling sites, 483 yielded at least one high bacteria result that exceeded state health standards. 'This shows the importance of regular water quality monitoring at the beach to protect public health and safe recreation,' the Surfrider Foundation report notes.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This Southern California Beach Has the Highest Bacteria Rates in the State—and It's One of the Dirtiest in the U.S.
Ocean-focused environmental nonprofit the Surfrider Foundation recently released its annual Clean Water Report. It found that Imperial Beach, near San Diego, had the highest bacteria rate in California. A large part of the problem stems from an overflow of sewage from a treatment plant in long coastline might be known for its beautiful and dramatic beaches, but one of them is a bacteria hot spot—and a threat to public health. The nonprofit environmental organization, the Surfrider Foundation, recently released its annual Clean Water Report. For its report, the foundation collected 10,120 water samples from 604 sampling sites across the country. After analyzing all the samples, it found that Imperial Beach in San Diego County, California, was the dirtiest beach in the state—and one of the most contaminated in the U.S.—with a bacteria rate of 82 percent. However, this is a known problem to the city, and the high bacteria rate is largely due to an overflow of sewage pollution from the Tijuana River. The beach is currently closed. 'The failures in Tijuana's sewage treatment, conveyance, and pump station network have been responsible for the decades of transboundary sewage flows coming through the Tijuana River, which have significantly worsened since 2017,' the City of Imperial Beach said in a February statement on its website. 'The beach is closed because sewage flows in the Tijuana River are exceptionally high.' Imperial Beach is actively trying to address the issue, but the problem spans across the border into Mexico, and despite its best efforts, the high levels of pollution and unpleasant smells from the pollution continue on the beach. 'The City of Imperial Beach is engaged in continuous advocacy at every level of government, including requests to fund immediate solutions and petitions for declarations of emergency from the Governor of California and President of the United States,' the Imperial Beach said in its February statement. 'Unfortunately, all requests for a declaration of emergency have been denied.' A declaration of emergency would make it easier for Imperial Beach to access emergency funding and work on infrastructure projects that could ease the flow of pollution from Mexico into the San Diego area. The city encourages residents to file official complaints about the odor and air quality problems—the formal reports serve as an official record of the scope of the problem at Imperial Beach. 'Everyone deserves to enjoy a fun day at the beach without worrying about getting sick from exposure to pollution,' the SurfRider organization said in its Clean Water Report. Other hotspots that made the list this year include places like Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor, New York; Ballard Park in Melbourne, Florida; and Kahaluu on Oahu in Hawaii. Using the information they've gathered the Surfrider Foundation works to protect clean water for all by advocating at the local, state, and federal levels. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Health
- Travel + Leisure
This Southern California Beach Has the Highest Bacteria Rates in the State—and It's One of the Dirtiest in the U.S.
California's long coastline might be known for its beautiful and dramatic beaches, but one of them is a bacteria hot spot—and a threat to public health. The nonprofit environmental organization, the Surfrider Foundation, recently released its annual Clean Water Report. For its report, the foundation collected 10,120 water samples from 604 sampling sites across the country. After analyzing all the samples, it found that Imperial Beach in San Diego County, California, was the dirtiest beach in the state—and one of the most contaminated in the U.S.—with a bacteria rate of 82 percent. However, this is a known problem to the city, and the high bacteria rate is largely due to an overflow of sewage pollution from the Tijuana River. The beach is currently closed. 'The failures in Tijuana's sewage treatment, conveyance, and pump station network have been responsible for the decades of transboundary sewage flows coming through the Tijuana River, which have significantly worsened since 2017,' the City of Imperial Beach said in a February statement on its website. 'The beach is closed because sewage flows in the Tijuana River are exceptionally high.' Imperial Beach is actively trying to address the issue, but the problem spans across the border into Mexico, and despite its best efforts, the high levels of pollution and unpleasant smells from the pollution continue on the beach. 'The City of Imperial Beach is engaged in continuous advocacy at every level of government, including requests to fund immediate solutions and petitions for declarations of emergency from the Governor of California and President of the United States,' the Imperial Beach said in its February statement. 'Unfortunately, all requests for a declaration of emergency have been denied.' A declaration of emergency would make it easier for Imperial Beach to access emergency funding and work on infrastructure projects that could ease the flow of pollution from Mexico into the San Diego area. The city encourages residents to file official complaints about the odor and air quality problems—the formal reports serve as an official record of the scope of the problem at Imperial Beach. 'Everyone deserves to enjoy a fun day at the beach without worrying about getting sick from exposure to pollution,' the SurfRider organization said in its Clean Water Report. Other hotspots that made the list this year include places like Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor, New York; Ballard Park in Melbourne, Florida; and Kahaluu on Oahu in Hawaii. Using the information they've gathered the Surfrider Foundation works to protect clean water for all by advocating at the local, state, and federal levels.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
See the Southern California beaches you'll want to avoid swimming in for Memorial Day weekend
Southern California beaches are certain to get busy with Memorial Day just days away and the start to summer near, but not all beaches boast ocean water you'll want to take a dip in. In fact, the annual Clean Water Report named three California beaches as some of the country's dirtiest. So, ahead of the holiday weekend, the Desert Sun is checking which beaches you'll want to avoid swimming at across Southern California. All information regarding beach advisories and ocean water quality was retrieved on May 23, so be sure to check the beach you're headed to for the latest information. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued beach area warnings on May 22 for the following places due to bacteria levels exceeding health standards: Santa Monia Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain Health officials say visitors should avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the ocean in the areas under the warning. For the most up to date information about beach warnings and ocean water quality, visit the county's public health website. Be sure to check Long Beach's recreational water monitoring website to check for any possible beach warnings in the area. As of May 22, all sampling sites at various Long Beach beaches show that bacteria levels are within state standards. Hobie Beach in the Channel Islands Harbor has failed to meet state standards for bacteria, and people are advised to avoid contact with the ocean water for a minimum of 50 yards on either side of the posted signs, according to Ventura County's Resource Management Agency's update on May 23. Visit Ventura County's Resource Management website for the most up to date information regarding beach warnings and ocean water quality. Two Orange County beaches are under advisories, warning that ocean water bacteria levels exceed state health standards and could cause illness. The beaches are: 75 feet upcoast to 75 feet downcoast of the Salt Creek at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point 75 feet upcoast to 75 feet downcoast of the Poche Creek at Poche Beach in the Dana Point and San Clemente area Visit for the most up to date information regarding beach warnings and ocean water quality. Sixteen beaches between Guadalupe Dunes Beach and Carpinteria State Beach are tested. Sample results from the week of Monday, May 19, find that all 16 beaches have water quality that meet state health standards, according to Santa Barbara County environmental health services. Visit Santa Barbara County's public health website for the most up to date information about beach advisories and ocean water quality. Five areas are under advisories due to bacteria levels exceeding health standards, according to San Diego County officials: Avenida Lunar, Coronado San Diego River outlet to 300 feet south, Ocean Beach Dog Beach North Cove Vacation Isle, Mission Bay San Luis Rey River outlet to 300 feet south, Oceanside Children's Pool, La Jolla Visitors are urged to avoid contact with water. The following beaches are closed due to bacteria levels, and visitors are similarly urged to avoid contact with water in the closure areas: Tijuana Slough Shoreline Silver Stand Shoreline Imperial Beach Shoreline Visit for the most up to date information about beach advisories and ocean water quality. Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@ This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Don't swim in these SoCal beaches this Memorial Day weekend
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Map Shows US Beaches With Highest Levels of Bacteria in Water
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ten beaches across five states and Puerto Rico were identified as hotspots for bacteria, according to the Surfrider Foundation's annual Clean Water Report. The report comes as Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, with countless Americans venturing to beaches to celebrate. Why It Matters Beach closures due to algal blooms or high levels of bacteria aren't unusual, particularly during the summer months. Warmer weather can harbor bacteria, causing contaminated waterways to rise. Some beaches across the United States have experienced widespread impacts. However, beach contamination is on the rise, with Surfrider's recent report showing that 80 percent of beaches tested exceeded state health standards for bacteria levels at least once in 2024. Stock photo of seagulls on a beach Stock photo of seagulls on a beach MarkusBeck/Getty What To Know More than 10,000 water tests were conducted across 604 testing sites for the 2024 report, released on May 20. Water was tested in Washington, Oregon, California, Puerto Rico, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. Of those tested, 483 exceeded state health standards at least once. High bacteria levels appeared in 25 percent of all samples, a 3 percent jump from 2023 numbers. The report listed 10 beaches as being bacterial hotspots. This means the beaches consistently measured high bacteria levels when tested by Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force. In some cases, water testing showed high levels of bacteria more than 90 percent of the time. Beaches included in the top 10 are: Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor, New York Ballard Park in Melbourne, Florida Park View Kayak Launch in Miami Beach, Florida Playa Crashboat in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico South Sound Thea Foss Floating Dock in Tacoma, Washington Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, California San Luis Creek Mouth in Avila Beach, California Imperial Beach in San Diego, California Kahalu'u in Oahu, Hawaii Waikomo Stream at Koala Landing in Kauai, Hawaii "These popular recreational beaches pose real health risks to swimmers, surfers, and families. Each location regularly shows dangerous levels of fecal-indicator bacteria tied to human illnesses, including gastrointestinal issues, flu-like symptoms, and serious skin conditions like MRSA and staph infections," the report said. Some of the causes behind the bacterial contamination were attributed to stormwater runoff and failing sewage infrastructure. The cleanest beaches in the U.S. were not ranked. What People Are Saying A Surfrider Foundation spokesperson told Newsweek: "[G]enerally speaking beaches located near storm drains, creeks or river mouths are most likely to be affected as these freshwater flows collect pollution from the watershed—stormwater and urban runoff, seepage from septics or sewer line failures, pet waste or other wildlife—and bring it down to the ocean. So ocean beaches without these freshwater discharges tend to have good water quality supportive of safe swimming or surfing, unless there has been a large rain event or some type of pollution discharge like a sewage overflow." The spokesperson added: "What's most important is that people are aware that water quality is something that can affect a fun day at the beach and they should check local water quality conditions before getting into the water." The report said: "Not only do our beaches provide an opportunity for rest and relaxation, but they are also the foundation of valuable coastal tourism and ocean recreation industries that sustain 2.5 million jobs nationwide and contribute $240 billion in gross domestic product to the national economy each year. Despite the inherent value of our nation's coastal resources, the CDC estimates that more than 5 million people get sick from swimming in contaminated water each year." What Happens Next Surfrider Foundation is "working urgently" in the affected communities to alert the public about the health hazards, the report said. In some cases, beaches will close because of high bacteria levels, and the public is urged to follow any guidance from local officials.
