As summer approaches, many people are eager to head to the beach for relaxation. However, a recent report warns that some of the country’s most popular beaches are facing serious contamination issues. According to the Surfrider Foundation’s 2024 Clean Water Report, many beaches are polluted with unsafe levels of bacteria, putting swimmers at risk.
The worst-affected beach is Kahalu’u Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, where 92 percent of water samples failed to meet health standards. Close behind is Waikomo Stream at Koloa Landing in Poipu, Hawaii, with a 90 percent failure rate. These are not isolated cases; the report highlights bacterial contamination at beaches across the United States, including locations on both coasts and Puerto Rico. These beaches serve as community centers, attract tourists, and support important ecosystems.
The Surfrider Foundation identifies stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, agricultural waste, and aging infrastructure as the main causes of this pollution. Each year, nearly 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater enter U.S. waterways, along with 900 billion gallons of untreated sewage. This combination creates significant health risks.
Although these beaches may look clean, the bacteria present can cause skin rashes, stomach illnesses, infections, and other health problems. Raw sewage also contributes to harmful algal blooms, fish kills, and damage to coral reefs. Climate change worsens the situation by increasing sea levels and causing more severe storms, which put additional strain on already fragile water systems.
In 2024, the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force tested over 10,000 water samples from 604 locations. Alarmingly, 80 percent of these samples showed high bacteria levels. While volunteers continue to monitor and trace pollution sources, they cannot solve these problems without larger-scale action. The foundation urges Congress to stop cutting funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and to invest more in clean water initiatives and infrastructure improvements. They argue that clean and safe beaches should be a right, not a privilege.
Among the U.S. beaches with the highest bacteria levels are Waikomo Stream at Koloa Landing in Kauai, Kahalu’u Beach in Oahu, Imperial Beach in San Diego, San Luis Creek Mouth at Avila Beach, Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, South Sound Thea Foss Floating Dock in Tacoma, Playa Crashboat in Aguadilla, Park View Kayak Launch in Miami Beach, Ballard Park in Melbourne, and Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor.
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