Fecal Contamination Warnings at Thousands of U.S. Beaches Cause Concern this Labor Day Weekend
Over the Labor Day weekend, thousands of Americans are set to visit coastal destinations across the nation, yet many will find swimming prohibited due to unsafe levels of fecal contamination in the water. This week, beaches from Crystal River, Florida, to Ogunquit, Maine have issued advisories warning about elevated bacteria levels linked to sewage waste.
These advisories generally advise beachgoers against entering the water as the presence of these bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal illness, rashes, and nausea. Closures this week were reported at popular beach destinations such as Keyes Memorial Beach in Hyannis, Massachusetts; Benjamin’s Beach on Long Island, New York; and a section of San Diego’s Imperial Beach shoreline. Even pristine Hawaiian beaches have warnings about high bacteria counts at Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island.
A report by conservation group Environment America revealed that nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day with potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination indicators. The study examined coastlines and Great Lakes, finding that 84% of Gulf Coast beaches exceeded the standard at least once, while the numbers were 79% for West Coast beaches, 54% for East Coast beaches, and 71% for Great Lakes beaches.
More than 450 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25 percent of tested days. Outdated water and sewer systems that allow sewage contamination to reach swimming areas is a key factor, according to John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney with Environment America. Other contributing factors include severe weather that overwhelms sewage systems and suburban development that reduces the ability of ecosystems to absorb stormwater.
Despite warnings, many individuals still choose to swim. A retired dentist named Yaromyr Oryshkevych was not worried about potential fecal contamination at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, despite a two-day warning in August. He believed that the ocean’s currents would handle any issues with contamination in the area. Dana West, a federal worker visiting Rehoboth Beach, recalled an instance earlier this year where several vacationing companions experienced gastrointestinal issues after a snorkeling excursion off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Beaches in the Rehoboth area, including Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Beach bayside, were under water advisories this week. Advisories may not always be posted on public signs. Environment America assessed beach safety by examining whether fecal bacteria levels surpassed standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that trigger a warning to avoid the water. At these levels, illness could occur in 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.
In North Carolina, five beaches were under advisories in late August due to elevated fecal bacteria levels. The beaches remain open but swimming poses a risk, according to Erin Bryan-Millush, environmental program supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Hurricane Erin caused extensive erosion and storm surge in some coastal areas, while heavy rain events this summer exacerbated contamination problems in various locations, as reported by Bryan-Millush.
“Those storm drains carry everything,” Bryan-Millush explained. “It could be particularly harmful for someone who is immune compromised.”