Oceans and Estuaries - Beach Watch

Hundreds of times each year, beach closings take place to protect the public from possible exposure to pathogens (disease-causing organisms). The bacteria that cause the closings are generally harmless, but they are present in large numbers in the sewage of humans and warm-blooded animals. Their presence indicates the possible presence of disease-causing organisms.

The most common problem caused by swimming in contaminated water is gastroenteritis, contracted by swallowing water while swimming and characterized by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps. While gastroenteritis is generally not harmful to healthy adults, it can cause serious illness in children and those with weakened immune systems such as the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases.

The major pollution sources responsible for the closings and advisories include runoff of storm water following rainfall and sewage spills or overflows. Some beaches are closed "just in case," or issue advisories against swimming when rainfall exceeds certain levels. Almost every coastal state reported having at least one beach where storm water drains onto or near bathing beaches.

The EPA established the BEACH program in 1997 to significantly reduce the risk of waterborne illness at the nation's beaches and recreational waters through improvements in water protection programs and risk communication. Through the EPA's BEACH Watch Web site, the public can access detailed information on hundreds of individual coastal, Great Lakes, and freshwater beaches. Other information on local beach programs and health issues and links to other relevant sites are provided. Users can also learn more about how to avoid unnecessary exposure to contaminated water while at the beach.

In the EPA's survey of the beaches for the 2002 swimming season, thirty-one states and four territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) representing all coastal and Great Lakes states reported data on 2,823 beaches. Of this total, 2,031 were coastal beaches and 729 were on inland waterways. About one-quarter of these beaches (25%) were affected by at least one advisory or closing event during 2002.