As Americans flock to beaches for Labor Day weekend, many will face advisories warning against swimming due to unsafe levels of fecal contamination. Beaches up and down the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts have issued warnings about elevated bacteria levels linked to fecal waste. These advisories caution beachgoers against entering the water, as the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, rashes, and nausea.
Notable closures include Keyes Memorial Beach in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Benjamin’s Beach in Bay Shore, New York, and part of Imperial Beach near San Diego. Even Hawaii’s Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island is under advisory for high bacteria counts. According to CNN, nearly two-thirds of U.S. beaches tested in 2024 experienced at least one day of potentially unsafe fecal contamination levels.
Environment America, a conservation group, reported that outdated water and sewer systems, severe weather, and suburban sprawl contribute to this contamination. John Rumpler from Environment America emphasized the need for investment to prevent human waste from polluting swimming areas. Despite the warnings, many beachgoers, like Yaromyr Oryshkevych at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, remain unconcerned, trusting natural currents to mitigate contamination.
With beaches across the nation under advisories, swimmers are urged to heed warnings and avoid water contact to protect their health during the holiday weekend.
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