Surfrider Foundation Identifies America’s Most Bacteria-Polluted Beaches in 2023

The Surfrider Foundation’s recent report highlights a concerning trend in the cleanliness of America’s beaches. According to the foundation’s findings, two beaches—Imperial Beach in San Diego County, California, and Nawiliwili Stream at Kalapaki Bay in Lihue, Hawaii—failed every water quality test conducted throughout 2023, with bacterial levels consistently exceeding state health standards.

The foundation’s Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) played a crucial role in gathering this data, sampling water from 567 sites across the U.S., including beaches, estuaries, and freshwater creeks. With 9,538 samples collected, the report revealed that approximately 22% of these samples exhibited high levels of bacteria. Moreover, 64% of the nearly 600 beaches monitored did not meet state health standards at least once.

A significant concern highlighted in the report is the chronic underfunding of beach monitoring programs, which has led states to reduce sampling frequency and prioritize certain beaches over others. This reduction in monitoring has resulted in many beaches only being tested during peak summer months, leaving gaps in data and potentially exposing the public to unsafe water conditions.

The Surfrider Foundation’s report emphasizes that stormwater runoff is the primary culprit behind beach pollution. Runoff from urban areas carries pollutants like chemicals, oil, and animal waste into waterways and, eventually, to the ocean. This can lead to beach closures and swimming advisories due to elevated levels of harmful bacteria.

“Nearly 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater runoff flow into U.S. waterways every year,” the report states, carrying a mix of pollutants that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and other health issues.

The Pollution problem is particularly severe at Imperial Beach, where local authorities have recorded 930 days of beach closures due to unsafe water conditions. However, beach closures alone do not fully protect public health. Surfrider notes that some pollutants can become airborne, leading to respiratory issues among residents.

South Bay Urgent Care in Imperial Beach reported a 140% increase in patients needing breathing treatments over the past year. Dr. Mathew Dickson, who is researching the long-term effects of Pollution exposure, observed that residents are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and watery eyes.

The Surfrider Foundation urges more comprehensive monitoring and greater funding to address these environmental health issues. They also highlight the importance of community involvement in monitoring efforts, as volunteers often fill in gaps left by state and local agencies. For those interested in staying informed, the BWTF posts recent water test results on their website, and the EPA maintains a list of monitored beaches, including closures and advisories.

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