NRDC: Testing the Waters 2013

Transcription

Testing the Waters
June 2013, 23rd Edition
Authors
Mark Dorfman
Angela Haren
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Project Design and Development
Jon Devine
Natural Resources Defense Council
Dedication
NRDC dedicates “Testing the Waters” this year to the memory of Senator Frank
Lautenberg, whose long list of legislative achievements includes sponsoring and leading
the Congress in the passage of the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal
Health Act of 2000. That legislation is responsible for a marked improvement in beach
monitoring and notification of water contamination, and is the reason that a significant
amount of the data in “Testing the Waters” is available.
Acknowledgments
NRDC wishes to acknowledge the support of the Pisces Foundation and the TOSA Foundation.
NRDC would like to thank Janie Chen, Kelly Coplin, Marisa Kaminski, Anna Kheyfets, and Gopi Shah for reviewing
various aspects of the report this year and Carol James for her input on elements of the report and distributing the
report nationwide. We thank Spencer Eldred, Joey Firman, Emily Hampton, Amanda Jahshan for their contribution
to the report.
We wish also to thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for sharing data with us again this year, and to the
state program coordinators, who provided information for the state chapters along with review of the monitoring
and notification data. We recognize that this work is time-consuming and that budgets are tight all around, so we
very much appreciate the effort that went into compiling and reviewing these data. Thanks, especially, to all those
federal, state, and local officials who work hard every day to keep our beaches clean and to address the sources of
beach water pollution.
Thank you to Matt Howes, Alexandra Kennaugh, Auden Shim, Patrick Hensley, Michael Barrish, Elise Marton,
Rumi Matsuyama, and Sue Rossi for managing and supporting the production of the report. Many thanks to members
of our media team—Dylan Gasperik, Jessica Lass, Josh Mogerman, Jenny Powers, Kate Slusark, and Jacqueline Wei—
for orchestrating the release of the report to the press. Thanks to Steve Fleischli, Noah Garrison, Henry Henderson,
Karen Hobbs, Larry Levine, Rob Moore, and Melissa Waage for helping to develop, release and publicize the report for
NRDC this year. Thank you as well to our outreach partners in Maine, Michigan, and Ohio.
TESTING THE WATERS: A GUIDE TO WATER QUALITY AT VACATION BEACHES
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
NRDC’s annual analysis of water quality and public notification data at coastal U.S. beaches found
that the number of beach closing and advisory days totaled 20,120 in 2012 (a decrease of 14 percent
from 2011), exceeding 20,000 for the 8th time in the past 9 years. The decrease was largely due to a
substantially drier beach season in large areas of the continental U.S. and Hawaii in 2012. Hawaii,
which reported that it had much less rain in 2012 than the previous year, had the largest decrease in
closing/advisory days (-3,960).
More than 80 percent of closings and advisories were issued because bacteria levels in beachwater
exceeded public health standards, indicating the potential presence of human or animal waste in the
water. The portion of all monitoring samples that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s
health standards for designated beach areas decreased to 7 percent in 2012 from 8 percent in 2011;
the national exceedance rate has fluctuated between 7 percent and 8 percent since NRDC started
tracking this type of water quality information in 2005. In addition, there were 3,673 beaches with
reported monitoring results in 2012, an increase of 2 percent from 2011. The largest known source
of pollution was stormwater runoff (identified as a reason for 28 percent of closing/advisory days,
compared with 47 percent the previous year). The 2012 results confirm that our nation’s beaches
continue to experience significant water pollution that puts swimmers and local economies at risk.
NRDC continues to push for improvements in beachwater quality standards and test methods. Last
November, the Environmental Protection Agency issued new beachwater standards that leave the
public inadequately protected from unsafe levels of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. While
beachwater quality standards are critical, ultimately the most important long-term action is to adopt
21st-century solutions that address the sources of beachwater pollution, particularly stormwater
runoff. The most important of these solutions remains incentivizing our cities to implement green
infrastructure such as green roofs, porous pavement, and street plantings, which stop rain where
it falls. Green infrastructure effectively reduces the amount of runoff that makes its way into
beachwater or triggers harmful sewage overflows, transforming a source of beach pollution into
a tremendous local water supply resource.
POLLUTED BEACHWATER MAKES SWIMMERS SICK AND HURTS COASTAL ECONOMIES
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that up to 3.5 million people become ill from contact with raw
sewage from sanitary sewer overflows each year.1 Many public health experts believe that the number of illnesses caused by
untreated sewage and other beach pollution actually could be much higher than is currently recognized because people who
get sick from swimming in contaminated recreational waters are not always aware of the cause of their illness and may not
report it to doctors or local health officials.
Illnesses associated with polluted beachwater include stomach flu, skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, meningitis,
and hepatitis. Children are especially vulnerable, perhaps because they tend to submerge their heads more often than
adults and are more likely to swallow water when swimming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded
that the incidence of infections associated with recreational water use has steadily increased over the past several decades.2
One study found that swimmers at polluted beaches in the Great Lakes region were more likely than nonswimmers to have
gastrointestinal illnesses; another study found that fecal contamination at Los Angeles and Orange County beaches caused
between 627,800 and 1,479,200 excess gastrointestinal illnesses each year.3,4
PAGE 3 Executive Overview Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2013
Our coasts provide more than just local recreation—approximately 85 percent of all U.S. tourism dollars are spent in coastal
states. According to a report by the National Ocean Economics Program, the nation’s shoreline-adjacent counties contributed
more than $6 trillion to the nation’s gross domestic product and more than 47 million jobs in 2011.5 With respect to beaches
specifically, economists have estimated that a typical swimming day is worth approximately $35 (in year 2000 dollars) for each
individual, so depending on the number of potential visitors to a beach, the “consumer surplus” loss on a day that the beach is
closed or under advisory for water quality problems can be quite significant. For example, one study estimated that economic
losses as a result of closing one Lake Michigan beach due to pollution could be as high as $37,030 per day.6 Similarly, the Los
Angeles/Orange County study mentioned above concluded that the public health cost of the excess gastrointestinal illnesses
caused by poor water quality was $21 million to $51 million per year.7
CLOSINGS AND ADVISORIES FOR 2012
In 2012, the number of closing and advisory days at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beaches exceeded 20,000 days for the third
consecutive year despite a beach season with substantially less rainfall than in 2011. There were a total of 20,120 closing and
advisory days nationwide. This is a decrease of 14 percent (3,267 days) from the previous year. This total includes only those
days occurring during events lasting six consecutive weeks or less.
In addition, there were 59 closing and advisory events that lasted more than six but not more than 13 consecutive weeks
(which NRDC calls “extended” events) and 38 closing and advisory events that lasted more than 13 consecutive weeks
(“permanent” events). Including closing and advisory days that occurred during extended events (3,277 days), the total
number of beach closing and advisory days in 2012 comes to 23,397.
The continued high number of closings and advisories is an indication that serious water pollution persists at our nation’s
beaches. The most common reason officials cited for closing beaches or issuing advisories in 2012 was testing that revealed
bacteria levels exceeding beachwater quality standards, indicating the potential presence of human or animal waste in the
beachwater. Advisories and closings issued as a precaution when poor water quality was suspected were the second-most
common type of notification (see Figure EO-1: Reasons Officials Closed Beaches or Issued Advisories in 2012).
Figure EO-1: Reasons Officials Closed Beaches or Issued Advisories in 2012
I 83% (16,662 days)
Monitoring detected bacteria levels exceeding beachwater quality standards.
I 12% (2,448 days)
Precautionary actions issued because of excessive rainfall, which, at
many beaches, leads to stormwater runoff that carries pollution to
swimming waters.
I 3% (542 days)
Other precautionary actions, predominantly due to algae and storm-related
swimmer safety concerns such as riptides and high waves.
I 2% (443 days)
Known pollution events, such as sewage treatment plant failures or breaks in
sewage pipes; in these cases, localities did not wait for monitoring results
before deciding to close beaches or issue advisories.
I Less than 1% (48 days)
Preemptive, due to real-time computer modeling using readily measurable
physical parameters, such as wind speed and wave height, to predict indicator
bacteria levels.
Totals exceed the number of closing and advisory days discussed in this section because some events began as preemptive rain advisories and were
then continued when monitoring revealed high bacteria levels.
POLLUTION SOURCES THAT CAUSED CLOSINGS AND ADVISORIES IN 2012
Most beach closings are issued because beachwater monitoring detects bacteria that are contained in human and animal
waste. These bacteria levels indicate the presence of various pathogens—microscopic organisms that pose a threat to human
health. The key reported contributors of these contaminants are (1) stormwater runoff, (2) sewage overflows and inadequately
treated sewage, (3) agricultural runoff, and (4) other sources, such as beachgoers themselves, wildlife, septic systems, and
boating waste.
Advisories may also be issued as precautionary measures when a pollution event is expected to occur, for instance during
rainstorms. (See also Figure EO-2: Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2000–2012.)
For advisory and closing days issued during events that lasted six weeks or less:
• 63 percent (12,773 closing/advisory days) were attributed to unknown sources of pollution.
• 28 percent (5,654 closing/advisory days) were attributed to polluted runoff and stormwater. In 2011, 47 percent of closing
advisory/days were attributed to polluted runoff and stormwater.
• 19 percent (3,747 closing/advisory days) were attributed to miscellaneous pollution sources. Of those, 1,887 days were
attributed to wildlife sources.
• 10 percent (2,004 closing/advisory days) were attributed to sewage spills and overflows. This category includes combined
sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, breaks or blockages in sewer lines, and faulty septic systems.
(Totals exceed total closing/advisory days and 100 percent because more than one contamination source was reported for
some events.)
Figure EO-2: Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2000–2012
Thousands of Closing/Advisory Days
30
I A-Sewage
I B-Rain/Runoff/Stormwater
I C-Unknown
I D-Other
25
20
15
10
5
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Total days shown are greater than annual totals because more than one pollution source may have contributed to each closing/advisory.
Key: (A) Sewage spills and overflows. (B) Polluted runoff, stormwater, or preemptive due to rain. (C) Unknown. (D) Other reasons (including
closings/advisories with no source information provided).
BEACHWATER MONITORING FOR 2012
In 2012, the portion of all monitoring samples exceeding national recommended health standards for designated beach areas,
indicating the potential presence of human or animal waste, decreased to 7 percent from 8 percent in 2010 and 2011. The
exceedance rate was 7 percent each year from 2006 through 2009. Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maine, and South Carolina
had the highest percentage of samples exceeding the EPA’s single-sample maximum for designated beach areas (see Table
EO-1: Rank of States by Percentage of Beachwater Samples Received Exceeding the National Standard in 2012).8
Table EO-1: Rank of States by Percentage of Beachwater Samples Received Exceeding the National Standard in 2012
2012
Total Samples
Beaches
With Reported
Monitoring Results
Delaware
559
24
New Hampshire
1,006
16
North Carolina
6,704
240
Hawaii
3,516
149
Alaska
153
10
Virginia
1,198
47
New Jersey
4,214
356
4%
Washington
3,168
64
4%
Massachusetts
8,006
601
10
5%
Oregon
541
16
11
5%
Maryland
801
67
Rank
Percent
Exceedance
1
<1%
2
1%
3
2%
4
4%
5
4%
6
4%
7
4%
8
9
State
12
5%
Georgia
970
27
13
5%
Florida
8,248
262
14
5%
Rhode Island
2,032
73
15
6%
Michigan
13,337
246
16
6%
Louisiana
827
26
17
8%
Connecticut
2,263
72
18
8%
Alabama
940
25
19
8%
Mississippi
1,128
22
20
8%
California
27,092
504
21
9%
Texas
7,086
62
22
9%
New York
9,280
359
23
9%
Pennsylvania
1,119
10
24
10%
Illinois
4,392
50
25
10%
Indiana
2,885
33
26
11%
South Carolina
2,209
22
27
11%
Maine
1,455
60
28
12%
Minnesota
1,136
52
29
14%
Wisconsin
4,531
117
30
21%
Ohio
2,898
61
The percent exceedances shown in this table are rounded to the nearest whole number, but state ranks are based on percent exceedances to one or
two decimal places.
Ways in Which NRDC’s Report Differs From the EPA’s Beach Report
Most years, the EPA also issues a beach report summarizing closing/advisory information (see water.epa.gov/type/oceb/
beaches/upload/national_facsheet_2011.pdf ). NRDC’s report differs from the EPA report in several important ways:
1. NRDC includes an analysis of monitoring data and compares states and beaches using the available water quality data.
2. NRDC provides state-by-state reporting and analysis of individual beach programs.
3. With respect to closings and advisories, NRDC reports the total number of days and focuses its analysis on events lasting
up to six consecutive weeks. Events lasting longer are grouped as either extended or permanent events. EPA reports the
number of beaches with closings or advisories and the percentage of total “beach days” that were affected.
4. NRDC analyzes reported contamination sources associated with closings and advisories.
5. NRDC reports closings and advisories beyond monitored beaches. (In 2012, there were 325 closing/advisory days at 125
non-monitored beaches in seven states, plus 1 extended and 8 permanent events.) Additionally, NRDC’s report does not
exclude closing/advisory information from beaches with reported data that are not included in the state’s BEACH Act
program.
The Great Lakes had the highest exceedance rate (10 percent) of all regions in 2012, followed by the Gulf Coast (8 percent),
western states (7 percent), the New York–New Jersey region (6 percent), New England (5 percent), the Southeast (4 percent),
and the Delmarva region (3 percent).
In 2012, the list of beaches exceeding the national recommended daily standard more than 25 percent of the time included
115 beaches in 18 states, a decrease from 159 beaches in 22 states in 2011. Twenty beach areas in six states (California, Indiana,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin) made this list in each of the last five years, 2008 through 2012 (see Table EO-2:
Repeat Offenders: Beaches With More Than 25 Percent of Samples Received Exceeding the EPA’s Applicable Recommended
Single-Sample Maximum Bacteria Standards for Designated Beach Areas, Each Year, 2008–2012). Chronically high bacteria
counts indicate that the beachwater is probably contaminated with human or animal waste.
Table EO-2: Repeat Offenders: Beaches With More Than 25 Percent of Samples Received Exceeding the EPA’s
Applicable Single-Sample Maximum Bacteria Standards for Designated Beach Areas, Each Year, 2008–2012
State
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
California
Los Angeles
Avalon Beach 100 feet west of the Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/wk
California
Los Angeles
Avalon Beach 50 feet east of the Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/wk
California
Los Angeles
Avalon Beach 50 feet west of the Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/wk
California
Los Angeles
Avalon Beach East of the Casino Arch at the steps
1
1/wk
California
Orange
Doheny State Beach, 1000' South Outfall
1
2/wk
California
Orange
1
2/wk
California
Orange
1
2/wk
California
Orange
Doheny State Beach, North Beach
1
1/mo
California
Orange
Doheny State Beach, North of San Juan Creek
1
2/wk
California
Orange
Doheny State Beach, Surfzone at Outfall
1
2/wk
California
Orange
Poche County Beach
1
2/wk
Indiana
Lake
Jeorse Park Beach I
2
5/wk
Indiana
Lake
Jeorse Park Beach II
2
5/wk
New Jersey
Ocean
Beachwood Beach (Beachwood)
1
1/wk
New York
Monroe
Ontario Beach
1
Daily
Ohio
Ashtabula
Lakeshore Park
1
4/wk
Ohio
Cuyahoga
Euclid State Park
1
Daily
Ohio
Cuyahoga
Villa Angela State Park
1
Daily
Ohio
Erie
Edson Creek
1
4/wk
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
South Shore Beach
1
3/wk
It is important to note that while a high percent exceedance rate is a clear indication of contaminated coastal recreational
waters, it is not necessarily an indication that the state’s beachwater quality monitoring program is deficient or fails to protect
public health when beachwater quality is poor. For example, many states always or almost always close a beach or issue an
advisory when a sample exceeds the standard. That is, they do not wait for the results of a resample or check other conditions
first, as some other states do. Similarly, states commonly will prioritize monitoring near suspected pollution sources, which
can lead to higher exceedance rates. But identifying locations with high contamination levels is a responsible practice that
helps local authorities protect swimmers from exposure to pathogens.
For 2012, the NRDC data set includes monitoring results for 123,706 samples at 3,673 beaches and beach segments (most
state and local officials divide longer beaches into manageable sections for monitoring).9 Although 2 percent more beaches
were monitored in 2012 than in 2011, slightly fewer samples (<1 percent) were collected (123,886 samples were taken at 3,591
beaches and beach segments in 2011).
METHODS BEACH OFFICIALS USE TO SAMPLE, MONITOR, AND/OR
PREDICT BEACHWATER QUALITY
Beach officials in all states continue to use traditional methods approved by the EPA that require about 24 hours to quantify
bacterial indicator levels in beachwater samples. Because of this, swimmers generally do not know until the next day if the
water they swam in was contaminated. On the other hand, because of this delay, beaches may remain closed even after
water quality meets standards. There is a great deal of interest in technologies that can provide same-day beachwater quality
results. Rapid test methods utilitize quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), an analytical method that quantifies the
presence of a targeted genetic sequence. Traditional methods are used to analyze the samples alongside qPCR analysis, and
the qPCR results, either alone or in combination with culture method results, are used to determine whether warnings about
beachwater quality would be issued and posted.
Over the last three years, an increasing number of states have begun employing rapid test methods. In 2010, Racine,
Wisconsin, and in Orange County, California, were the first to use rapid test method for issuing beachwater quality
notifications at coastal beaches in the United States. In 2011, Ocean County New Jersey and Los Angeles County, California
began issuing notifications based on rapid test pilot projects. In 2012, other states, including Ohio and Michigan, conducted
field research on rapid test methods but have not yet used them to issue notifications.
Beachwater quality generally depends on many complex factors, but for some beaches, predictions of water quality can
be calculated fairly accurately on the basis of measurements of a few physical conditions. Some states have taken advantage
of this by creating computer models that rely on data such as rainfall level, wind speed and direction, tides, wave height, and
currents. These models rapidly prepare predictions of beachwater quality and allow officials to close beaches or place them
under advisory on the day that bacterial levels are expected to be high, rather than 24 hours later. States using computer
models to inform closing and advisory decisions for at least some of their beaches in 2012 were California, Illinois, Indiana,
New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Other states, including Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas are building
predictive models to use at some of their beaches in the future.
Because the water quality at many beaches is adversely impacted by contaminated stormwater runoff, another means of
protecting public health—less sophisticated but often effective—is to preemptively close beaches or issue advisories when
indicator bacteria levels are expected to be high after rainfall events. Many states have developed standards for issuing
preemptive rainfall advisories based on rainfall intensity or some other rain-related factor for at least some of their beaches.
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, and Wisconsin all have quantitative rainfall standards at some of their beaches, and New Hampshire is
developing them. Eleven states reported preemptive rainfall closures or advisories at specific beaches in 2012: California,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Some states, including California, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and
Washington, issue standing advisories warning the public to avoid beachwater contact after heavy rainfall or when storm
drains are running. (These standing advisories are not always reported in the closing and advisory data that the states send
to the EPA.) For example, in North Carolina standing rainfall advisories take the form of permanent signs posted on either
side of storm drain outfalls stating that swimming between the signs is not recommended when there is water flowing through
the drain.
FACTORS THAT CONFOUND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS
Although it is understandable to expect a correlation between year-to-year changes in water quality and the number of
closing/advisory days, there are confounding factors that make such correlations unlikely. While the year-to-year change in
the percentage of monitoring samples that exceed health standards is an objective assessment of water quality, a year-to-year
change in the total number of closing/advisory days is subject to differences in programs and practices. For example, some
states or localities:
• Take multiple samples at each monitoring station. When making closing/advisory decisions, beach officials might use
the average value of all samples taken that day. With this method, the average value might not exceed the standard even
though one (or more) of the multiple samples does. In such a case, the beach would not be closed or put under advisory.
Despite this possibility, NRDC includes the results of every reported sample when calculating the percentage of all samples
that exceed the standard in a given year.
• Resample a beach after an exceedance before issuing a closing or advisory. In some places, an exceedance triggers a
resample, and if the resample does not exceed the standard, the beach is not put under closing or advisory.
• Preemptively close a beach or issue an advisory without waiting for the results of beachwater monitoring. Officials
in some locations may act without current monitoring information if they suspect that pollution has affected beachwater
quality or if there are non-pollution reasons to close a beach or issue an advisory. Reasons for these preemptive actions may
include heavy rainfall events, known sewage leaks, chemical spills, and high winds and waves.
• Continue monitoring at beaches that are closed for more than six consecutive weeks during the reporting year.
NRDC does not include extended or permanent beach closings or advisories when comparing closing/advisory days from
year to year, but the monitoring data collected at these beaches are included in the percent exceedance analysis.
• Continue monitoring at beaches that have been closed for reasons other than pollution. In some locations, officials
may collect monitoring data even at beaches that are closed due to such factors as budget cuts or low attendance. While
results of this sampling are reported to the EPA, the beach closing days may not be reported, or they may occur during
events that are classified as extended or permanent and excluded from NRDC’s analysis.
Also, year-to-year changes in beach monitoring frequency could impact the total number of closing/advisory days but
not the percentage of samples that exceed health standards. For example, increasing routine monitoring from once every
two weeks to once a week could decrease the number of closing/advisory days for the same number of events because the
duration of many events could go from two weeks to one.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING BEACHWATER QUALITY
To improve beachwater quality nationwide, our leaders need to adopt policies that clean up the sources of beach pollution.
There are numerous things that federal, state, and local officials can do to rein in the sources of beach contamination and to
improve beachwater monitoring and public information. For example, the federal government can and should increase its
contribution to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides critical assistance for projects that repair and rebuild
failing water and wastewater infrastructure.
However, the EPA is responsible for two national actions—one that it completed last year, and one in development—that
would have a significant impact on efforts to make beaches cleaner and safer for swimming. Specifically, in November 2012,
the EPA established standards designed for beach officials to use to keep people from being exposed to unsafe levels of
disease-causing bacteria and viruses. The agency is currently developing revisions to the national requirements for sources of
polluted runoff. EPA needs to strengthen both of these measures, as discussed below.
Cleaning Up Polluted Runoff: Stormwater runoff is the most frequently identified source of beach closings and advisory
days, and the EPA estimates that more than 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater make their way into our surface waters
each year.10
Often, the best way of avoiding runoff-related pollution is to reduce the volume of stormwater flowing into the storm drains
that carry it to nearby water bodies or, in some cases, into sewage systems that can overflow. Green infrastructure, which
restores or mimics natural conditions, allows rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, thereby reducing the volume of runoff. Green
infrastructure includes the use of porous pavement, green roofs, parks, roadside plantings, and rain barrels to stop rain where
it falls, either storing it or letting it filter into the ground naturally. This keeps stormwater runoff from overloading sewage
systems and triggering overflows and from carrying pollutants into natural bodies of water.
These smarter water practices on land not only prevent pollution at the beach but also beautify neighborhoods, cool and
cleanse the air, reduce asthma and heat-related illnesses, save on heating and cooling energy costs, boost economies, and
support American jobs. Many cities and states have embraced green infrastructure practices.
Consequently, the EPA needs to make overdue changes to its water pollution regulations for stormwater sources. Strong
stormwater retention requirements will help spur widespread implementation of green infrastructure and help keep urban
and suburban runoff from reaching beaches. The EPA’s rules must require new and redeveloped impervious areas—wherever
they are located—to infiltrate, evaporate, or reuse the rain that falls on them and must ensure that existing sources of runoff
pollution are similarly controlled to meet water quality goals.
Likewise, federal, state, and municipal leaders must use existing authorities—such as Clean Water Act permitting, oversight
of sewage overflow control plans, and local planning responsibilities—to promote green infrastructure and reduce runoffrelated contamination problems. NRDC’s recent report Rooftops to Rivers II11 spotlights how numerous cities around the
country are embracing green infrastructure to address runoff pollution and improve the health of their inhabitants. These
leaders have demonstrated the feasibility of green infrastructure solutions and are paving the way for policies that advance
green infrastructure nationally.
Standards to Protect Beachgoers: The EPA is responsible for ensuring that recreational waters are safe for people. One
element of this responsibility is establishing criteria that are sufficient to protect the public from contaminants in beachwater.
Unfortunately, the agency’s new allowable bacteria levels in recreational waters miss a critical opportunity to better protect
the public. In fact, in some respects the criteria are even less protective than the 25-year-old standards they replace.
Most egregiously, EPA’s criteria fail to protect against single-day exposures to pathogens. The prior criteria adopted in 1986
included a “single sample maximum” which was not to be exceeded. EPA now allows water quality to exceed the criteria up
to 10 percent of the time without triggering a violation. This approach could mask a serious pollution problem and expose
families to an unnecessary risk of illness. The criteria also are based on what the EPA has determined is an acceptable
gastrointestinal illness risk of 3.6 percent. That is, the agency believes it is acceptable for 36 in 1,000 (1 in 28) swimmers to
become ill with gastroenteritis from swimming in water that just meets its water quality criteria. This risk is unacceptably high
and is not protective of public health. Additionally, the EPA does not adequately consider other health effects such as rashes
and ear, eye, and sinus infections, all of which are commonly experienced by swimmers at U.S. beaches.
To address these flaws, the EPA must revise the level of acceptable risk so that it is protective of public health. A coalition of
groups concerned about water quality, including NRDC, recently filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue EPA seeking to compel
EPA to take action to protect beachgoers on any given day and to adopt criteria that adequately protect public health from all
types of illnesses.
Endnotes
1
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, NPDES Permit Requirements for Municipal Sanitary Sewer
Collection Systems, Municipal Satellite Collection Systems, and Sanitary Sewer Overflows,” January 4, 2001; withdrawn January 20, 2001.
2
Yoder, J.S., et al., “Surveillance for Waterborne Disease and Outbreaks Associated with Recreational Water Use and Other Aquatic Facility–
Associated Health Events—United States, 2005–2006,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 12, 2008/57(SS09), 1-29, available
at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss5709.pdf.
3
Wade, T.J., et al., “Rapidly Measured Indicators of Recreational Water Quality Are Predictive of Swimming-Associated Gastrointestinal Illness,”
Environmental Health Perspectives 114, No. 1 (January 2006): 24-28.
4
Given, S., et al., “Regional Public Health Cost Estimates of Contaminated Coastal Waters: A Case Study of Gastroenteritis at Southern California
Beaches,” Environmental Science and Technology 40 (2006): 4851.
5
National Ocean Economic Program, Market Data, Coastal Economy Data, Shore Adjacent Coastal Zone Counties, noep.mbari.org/Market/coastal/
coastalEcon.asp.
6
Rabinovici, S.J., et al., “Economic and Health Risk Trade-Offs of Swim Closures at a Lake Michigan Beach,” Environmental Science and
Technology 38, No. 10 (2004): 2742.
7
Given et al.
8
For the eighth consecutive year, NRDC used the BEACH Act’s single-sample maximum standards for designated beach areas to compare water
quality at U.S. beaches, whether or not the state applies that standard at all of its reported beaches. Before the EPA issued new standards in 2012,
the designated beach area standard for enterococcus density was 104 cfu per 100 milliliters for marine waters; for freshwater, the standard was
235 cfu E. coli per 100 milliliters.
9
Beginning with last year’s report, NRDC began to count each managed beach segment of longer beaches in California as an individual beach. This
was prompted by California’s update of the beach identification system it uses to report monitoring and notification data to EPA. For purposes of
comparison with previous years, however, NRDC used the older beach identification/counting system.
10
EPA, “Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs,” April 26, 2004, EPA 833-R-04-001, 4-29, available at cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/
cso/cpolicy_report2004.cfm.
11
Natural Resources Defense Council, “Rooftops to Rivers II: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows”
(November 2011), available at www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftopsII/default.asp.
Testing the Waters
Authors
Mark Dorfman
Angela Haren
Jon Devine
Policy Solutions for Improving Water
Quality at Vacation Beaches
Testing the Waters: Policy Solutions for Improving Water Quality at Vacation Beaches
Introduction
Coastal flooding from Hurricane Sandy caused scores of sewage treatment plants spanning from
Virginia to Rhode Island to release 11 billion gallons of untreated or partially-treated sewage into
waterways. Yet, everyday rain events trigger an estimated 10 trillion gallons a year of untreated
stormwater to run off roofs, roads, parking lots, and other paved surfaces (often through America’s
aging sewer systems) into rivers and waterways where it can contaminate our drinking water
supplies and beachwaters.
In this 23rd edition of NRDC’s annual beachwater quality report, our water quality experts analyze
government data from 2012 at more than 3,000 beachwater testing locations nationwide.
Unfortunately the findings confirm that America’s beaches still suffer from health-threatening
contamination and pollutants, including human and animal waste.
Federal officials must curb the most commonly identified cause of beach closings and swimming
advisories—polluted stormwater runoff—and stop delaying final rules. To better protect swimmers
at our nation’s beaches, NRDC strongly recommends the following:
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must update national clean water requirements for
stormwater sources that reflect the performance of “green infrastructure” techniques
• State and Federal authorities must enforce existing laws for stormwater and sewage pollution
• Congress must increase financial assistance for needed repairs to aging sewer systems
• Communities need to ensure long-term financing is available for stormwater infrastructure
improvements
• EPA must adopt commonsense safeguards for recreational water quality and adequate funding
for state monitoring and notification programs should be provided.
• Leaders must help to stop pollution at its source by protecting nature’s pollution filters and flood
barriers, and by improving the resilience of wastewater infrastructure to coastal flooding, like the
kind seen in Hurricane Sandy’s wake.
PAGE 2 Policy Solutions Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2013
The EPA should reduce polluted
stormwater runoff, the most
commonly identified cause of beach
closings and swimming advisories
Reform national clean water requirements
for stormwater sources
Polluted urban and suburban runoff is the most commonly
identified reason for beach closures and swimming
advisories. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
the authority and the responsibility to help communities
clean up this stormwater pollution by reforming the national
regulations that govern how sources that discharge polluted
runoff are controlled. These revamped rules can and should
promote widely accepted and cost-effective techniques that
prevent rainfall from becoming polluted stormwater and
improve communities in a variety of other ways as well.
Existing EPA regulations for sources of runoff pollution,
designed more than 20 years ago, have not been
implemented in a particularly rigorous way and have failed to
address key sources of pollution adequately. Historically, the
permitting process for stormwater systems has done a poor
job of ensuring that discharges from those systems will not
contribute to degraded water quality. In particular, municipal
sewer systems and private developers frequently have not
been required to meet quantitative limits on stormwater
runoff volumes and associated pollution levels from sites
undergoing development or redevelopment, and they rarely
have been required to improve developed sites to reduce
runoff pollution. Moreover, current requirements typically
do not apply to rapidly developing areas outside of existing
cities.
In view of these deficiencies, in 2009, EPA initiated an
effort to reform the minimum requirements applicable to
urban and suburban runoff sources. This is a once-in-ageneration opportunity to improve the requirements that
govern how stormwater sources are controlled to protect
water quality. In response to litigation filed by NRDC and
the Waterkeeper Alliance several years ago over EPA’s failure
to update its standards for pollution from construction
and development activities, the agency is now working to
revise the requirements that apply to long-term runoff from
developed sites. However, the agency has extended several
times its schedule for completing the rulemaking. Most
recently, the EPA missed a deadline of June 10, 2013, for
issuing a proposed rule. To address this enormous beach
pollution source, the agency must get back on track to issue a
proposed rule this year and a final rule in 2014.
The EPA’s new rules must adopt objective performance
requirements for control of runoff volume from new
development and redeveloped sites, which will create strong
incentives for the deployment of “green infrastructure”
approaches. Green infrastructure helps stop runoff pollution
by capturing rainwater and either storing it for use or letting
it filter back into the ground, replenishing vegetation and
groundwater supplies. Examples of green infrastructure
include green roofs, street trees, increased green space,
rain barrels, rain gardens, and permeable pavement.
These solutions have the added benefits of beautifying
neighborhoods, cooling and cleansing the air, reducing
asthma and heat-related illnesses, lowering heating and
cooling energy costs, boosting economies, and supporting
American jobs.
What might a runoff retention standard look like? The
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires
development and redevelopment projects “involving
a Federal facility with a footprint that exceeds 5,000
square feet” to ensure that the property will “maintain or
restore, to the maximum extent technically feasible, the
predevelopment hydrology of the property with regard to the
temperature, rate, volume, and duration of flow.”1 The EPA
has explained that “retaining all storms up to and including
the 95th percentile storm event is analogous to maintaining
or restoring the predevelopment hydrology with respect
to the volume, flow rate, duration, and temperature of the
runoff for most sites.”2 The EPA should similarly require
new development and redevelopment activities to achieve a
very high degree of runoff retention, such that any affected
site makes only a minimal contribution to the water quality
problems caused by stormwater.
In addition, the revised EPA rules should require
improvements so that existing developed areas and
infrastructure reconstruction projects retain stormwater
on-site to address water quality needs. Impervious areas
that exist right now are responsible for major water quality
problems already; in 2010, the EPA estimated that urban
stormwater nationwide “is the primary source of water
quality impairment [for] 13% of all rivers and streams[,] 18%
of all lakes[, and] 32% of all estuaries.”3 Accordingly, EPA’s
regulatory reforms must ensure that existing impervious
areas stop contributing to water degradation by requiring
that they be redesigned to retain runoff and thereby minimize
their pollution.
Finally, the agency needs to ensure that significant runoff
sources are covered by the new rules wherever they are
located, and that these sources do their fair share to protect
clean water supplies. Rather than restricting pollution
controls to urban areas, the EPA must include areas of new
or expected development, lands providing critical wildlife
habitat, and areas that cause or contribute to water quality
problems. Likewise, the EPA’s rules should require categories
of impervious sites that are important contributors to water
quality problems to be controlled no matter where they are.
For instance, the rules should require that large parking
lots be designed and constructed in a way that prevents
runoff from flowing off site and causing problems for nearby
waterways. In addition, within municipalities, the EPA’s
new rules can and should address new development and
redevelopment in both combined sewer and separate sewer
areas. By requiring owners of sites that create runoff pollution
to be responsible for curbing it, the EPA’s rules would ease
the compliance obligations of municipalities that today are
forced to deal with the consequences of increased urban
runoff and to bear much of the costs of complying with clean
water mandates.
Maintain Core Clean Water Act Requirements
for Sewage Treatment, and Increase Financial
Assistance for Needed Repairs to Aging Sewer
Systems
One of the core requirements of the Clean Water Act is that
municipal sewage receive, at a minimum, both “primary”
treatment (mainly to remove solids) and “secondary”
treatment (which today typically involves using microbes
to break down organic material and kill harmful bacteria,
viruses, and protozoa) before the treated wastewater
is discharged to waterways. These basic requirements,
coupled with substantial federal funding for modern
wastewater treatment infrastructure in the 1970s and 1980s,
are responsible for huge improvements in water quality
nationwide over the past four decades.
Today, however, some municipal wastewater utilities want
to weaken the law to create routine exemptions from these
requirements whenever rainwater enters poorly maintained
sewer systems that were designed to handle only sanitary
sewage, overwhelming the capacity of collection systems and
treatment facilities. The resulting discharges of untreated
sewage from sewer pipes are called sanitary sewer overflows;
when sewage receives partial treatment and is diluted
with other treated sewage before release into waterways,
the practice is known as blending. Current law requires
that wastewater utilities remedy these deficiencies in their
infrastructure to ensure that partially treated or untreated
sewage—which commonly contains high levels of harmful
bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens—is not released into
waterways, except under extraordinary conditions when
there is “no feasible alternative.”
A decade ago, when the EPA attempted to roll back these
requirements and allow the routine discharge of partially
treated sewage during rain events, more than 98,000 public
comments were submitted in opposition, and the U.S.
House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to reject
the proposal. Today, Congress should similarly refuse any
calls by wastewater utilities to weaken the existing rules, and
should instead increase financial assistance to municipalities
to support the necessary repairs to their aging, failing sewer
systems.
Enforce Existing Laws for Stormwater
and Sewage Pollution
As noted above, the EPA has failed to update its stormwater
pollution control requirements. Consequently, it is
critical that pollution control officials take advantage of
opportunities under existing law to reduce the amount and
the impacts of stormwater pollution in our communities.
Current Clean Water Act rules require most stormwater
discharges to be covered by a pollution-limiting permit.
For municipal separate stormwater systems, such permits
must reduce pollutants to the “maximum extent practicable”
and require controls sufficient to meet water quality
standards in local water bodies. Those cities with combined
stormwater and sewage systems must develop long-term,
combined sewer overflow control plans that similarly contain
requirements sufficient to meet water quality standards.
Although the existing requirements have not been
vigorously or evenly enforced, they have spurred a number
of communities to incorporate the types of controls that
ultimately need to be adopted at the national level—
including quantitative limits on stormwater retention
volume for new development and redevelopment sites, and
requirements to improve the existing built environment
to reduce runoff volume and pollution levels. State
pollution control officials and municipal sewer system
operators must enforce these requirements, especially
as communities await EPA’s improved national rules
Although schools represent only 2 percent of impervious cover in the
combined sewer area, Philadelphia’s Water Department believes the
high visibility and educational opportunities associated with schools
make them important places to showcase green infrastructure.
Philadelphia: To address chronic pollution problems related
to combined sewer overflows, Philadelphia has established
the “Green City, Clean Waters” program, an ambitious effort
focused on green infrastructure solutions that will require
the retrofit of nearly 10,000 acres of impervious surface on
both public and private property over the next 25 years.
Enforceable targets—both for acres of green infrastructure
retrofits and for measurable reductions in sewage overflow
pollution—are embodied in a state consent order and will
be incorporated into the city’s Clean Water Act permits. As
part of this program, the city has established a requirement
that new development and redevelopment projects infiltrate
the first inch of runoff on-site. The city has also adopted a
stormwater fee structure that provides a substantial credit
(up to nearly 80 percent) for nonresidential property owners
who can install retrofits to manage the first inch of rainfall
over their entire parcel on-site, with no discharge.
New York: In a 2012 state consent order, New York City
committed to investing more than $1 billion in green
infrastructure–based controls to reduce combined sewer
overflows. Importantly, the consent order includes a
requirement that the city use green infrastructure retrofits to
manage one inch of runoff from 10 percent of the impervious
acreage in its combined sewer service area by 2030, with
interim targets for 2015, 2020, and 2025. Runoff can be
managed using either retention, which is a superior means
of addressing stormwater issues, or detention, with delayed
release to the sewer system. These commitments have been
incorporated into Clean Water Act permits, even as the city
continues comprehensive planning efforts to reduce its sewer
overflows and to establish long-term green infrastructure and
water quality goals.
New York State’s general statewide stormwater permit
refers to a stormwater design manual that calls for
development projects to retain on-site the 90th percentile
storm. The manual, however, sets a less stringent standard for
redevelopment sites, and the permit does not unambiguously
require that the manual’s standards be met. Also notable
is that the statewide permit requires some municipalities
discharging runoff to severely polluted waterways to develop
“retrofit plans” to reduce pollution from existing developed
areas. However, for other municipalities discharging to
similarly polluted waters, the permit does not require a
decrease in current pollution levels. In sum, the New York
State requirements are progressive in many respects but
should be strengthened to ensure protection of local waters.
© NYC Environmental Protection
© Paul Rider
and especially if those reformed rules do not address all
important stormwater pollution sources. NRDC has been
working with states, municipalities, businesses, and citizens
in many communities to promote these principles. Some
examples of cities and states taking steps to meet clean water
requirements with green infrastructure are discussed below.
Porous concrete sidewalk Paerdegat Basin, CSO Detention Facility,
Brooklyn, New York.
© Capitol Greenroofs
alifornia: Clean Water Act permits in the San Francisco
C
Bay region, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, the San Diego
region, and smaller communities statewide all require
new development and redevelopment projects to retain
the runoff produced by the 85th percentile storm event.
Stormwater permits in California have also begun to promote
stormwater capture as a means of increasing local water
supplies, something that is critical to the state’s well-being,
highlighting the ability of local permits to adapt to specific
conditions in the region they cover. Although the 85th
percentile standard is not as stringent as requirements in
some other parts of the country, California’s Central Coast
region has proposed retention of the 95th percentile storm
event based on regional predevelopment hydrology and the
feasibility of meeting the standard.
To help incentivize privately financed green roofs, Washington,
D.C.’s Department of the Environment initiated a green roof subsidy
program. The Department provides a rebate of $3 per square foot
for installed green roofs; as a result, more than 50,000 square feet
of green roof projects are under construction. The rebate has since
grown to $5 per square foot.
Washington, D.C.: The city operates a separate storm sewer
system that conveys stormwater runoff independently from
sewage over much of the city. Its stormwater permit requires
new development and redevelopment projects to retain 1.2
inches of rainfall from each storm event. Recently proposed
regulations to implement the permit’s requirements would
establish a first-of-its-kind program that sets retention
standards and a volume credit system that allows some of
the retention obligation to be met off-site. This program
still must be significantly improved to ensure that the draft
regulations fully implement the requirements of the Clean
Water Act, but it could be used to target critical sources of
runoff and pollution to the region’s waters.
ortland, Oregon: Portland established a comprehensive
P
stormwater management program to comply with its
NPDES permit, which includes design standards for source
control devices as well as best management practices for
reducing stormwater pollution. Portland’s runoff retention
standard prioritizes the use of green infrastructure over all
other control measures for new and redevelopment projects
involving as little as 500 square feet of impervious area.
The city also requires the development of a retrofit plan for
existing impervious areas and is implementing programs to
replace city-owned impervious areas along streets and on
municipal building roofs.
The City of Portland is taking a holistic approach toward improving
the health of the local watershed with the Brooklyn Creek Basin
Program. The program introduces the first prototype for “green”
main streets in the country, manages more than 1 million gallons of
stormwater runoff, and creates 126 jobs during construction.
© Sean Foltz
Cleveland: A federal consent decree with the Northeast
Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) to address the flow
of untreated sewage into Cleveland’s waterways and Lake
Erie requires NEORSD to invest at least $42 million in green
infrastructure projects to annually capture 44 million gallons
of CSO discharges. The decree also enables NEORSD to look
for opportunities to propose additional green infrastructure
in exchange for reducing the scope of conventional, or “gray,”
infrastructure projects.
© MMSD Graphics Department
Installation of porous pavers at the Energy Exchange
(November 2009).
Bio-retention swales for stormwater treatment along Grange Avenue
in the Village of Greendale, Milwaukee.
Milwaukee: The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage
District (MMSD) considers green infrastructure to be a key
component of its 2035 Vision for zero basement backups,
zero overflows, and improved water quality. MMSD recently
released a draft regional green infrastructure plan with a
goal to capture 740 million gallons of rainwater per storm
event, the equivalent of capturing the first 0.5 inch of rain.
In addition, the MMSD’s 2012 clean water permit requires
the district to add one million gallons of green infrastructure
capacity to the region on an annual basis.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater
Chicago: Compared with the green infrastructure investment
many of the cities and utilities identified above are making
to meet clean water requirements, a proposed consent
decree settlement between EPA and the Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)4 is a
disappointment. For example, the consent decree contains a
generally-stated requirement that MWRD develop 10 million
gallons in retention capacity using green infrastructure by
2015. But without robust modeling and targeting of the
development of specific green infrastructure measures—
neither of which is required in the development of MWRD’s
green infrastructure plan—there’s no basis to assume that
the overall retention capacity requirement will actually
be implemented strategically where needed to achieve
its goal “to reduce CSO discharges, localized flooding and
stormwater impacts.”5 Neither does the consent decree
require—as do other cities’—post-construction monitoring to
assess its effectiveness.
These local and state efforts, although surely in need of
further improvement, are critical to advancing stormwater
pollution control efforts. They help serve as a platform for
development of a national rule as the EPA continues to
contemplate revisions to its regulations, and they ensure
that important runoff sources that may not be covered by a
national rule are addressed. Moreover, current law empowers
pollution control officials to address specific local water
quality needs.
A final tool that the EPA and states have available under
current law is a provision that stormwater sources that
contribute to water quality problems or are significant
pollution sources must implement pollution controls. The
EPA must follow these requirements, starting with sources
discharging to waterways that are already too polluted for
activities for which the state has designated them.
Ensure That Long-term Financing Is Available for
Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements
Congress should help states and communities make the
necessary investments in stormwater infrastructure by
substantially increasing the federal resources available to
meet clean water needs. Specifically, the federal government
should increase its annual contribution to the Clean
Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides critical
assistance for projects that repair and rebuild failing water
and wastewater infrastructure but which has been a target
for cuts during recent federal budget debates. It should also
address this issue for the long term, through the creation of a
trust fund or other dedicated source of clean water funding.
Cities and states must also do their part to ensure that
adequate funding exists to support local stormwater
management programs. States, which administer federal
monies under the SRF, should ensure that there are no
eligibility hurdles for municipalities to implement a range
of green infrastructure projects with SRF funds. Moreover,
states should proactively encourage applicants to seek
funding for such projects, learning from the states that most
successfully implemented the SRF Green Project Reserve
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.6
States can also establish their own dedicated sources of
funding to support environmental improvements like green
infrastructure.
Further, states should ensure that cities are authorized to
establish financing structures (such as stormwater utilities)
that can both generate public revenues for stormwater
infrastructure and stimulate private investment in green
infrastructure retrofits. Cities should use such authority—
as more than a thousand already do—to charge private
properties a stormwater fee based on the amount of
impervious surface area on the property, with the proceeds
applied toward the capital and operating expenses associated
with publicly owned stormwater infrastructure.7 These
fee systems often include a credit or discount component
whereby customers pay smaller fees if they install qualifying
green infrastructure practices on their properties that reduce
runoff into the public storm sewer system. Particularly when
coupled with innovative financing methods that have been
used to spur investment in energy efficiency—and/or when
coupled with additional financial incentives—such feeand-credit systems could lure billions of dollars in private
investment nationwide, which would offset a portion of the
costs otherwise borne by public agencies.
Finally, states and local governments should explore
the use of public-private partnership structures (including
so-called pay-for-performance mechanisms) to build
and maintain new green stormwater infrastructure. This
approach has the potential to deploy large amounts of
private capital in ways that may be able to accelerate
implementation of green infrastructure retrofits while
achieving cost savings for municipalities.8
Improve public health protections
through recreational water quality
criteria
The EPA is the government agency responsible for ensuring
that recreational waters are safe. Unfortunately, the agency’s
recently adopted allowable bacteria levels—called “criteria”
in the Clean Water Act—in recreational waters miss a critical
opportunity to better protect the public from the dangers of
swimming in polluted water.
Risk of Swimming in Polluted Waters
Illnesses associated with swimming or otherwise
recreating in polluted water include gastrointestinal
upset, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, upper respiratory
tract infections, meningitis, and hepatitis. Children
are especially vulnerable, in part because they tend to
submerge their heads more often than adults and are
more likely to swallow water in large volumes when
swimming. The most common health complaint is
gastrointestinal illness, which typically involves symptoms
such as vomiting, fever, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
In 2000, Congress enacted the Beaches Environmental
Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act), requiring
the EPA to modernize criteria for water quality that would
protect beach users from illnesses caused by pathogens
such as viruses and bacteria. The criteria were to be based
on, among other things, the results of recent public health
studies required by the BEACH Act. The EPA updated these
criteria in 2012. However, its 2012 Recreational Water Quality
Criteria are inadequate and fail to protect public health in at
least three ways.
First, the EPA’s criteria do not protect against singleday exposures to pathogens. The EPA allows water quality
averaging over a period of 30 days and permits periodic
exceedances of what was once defined as a single-sample
maximum for allowable pollution. This approach allows
bacterial levels to repeatedly exceed pathogen exposure
limits that the EPA has determined are unsafe. Swimmers
using beaches vulnerable to dangerous but short-lived
fluctuations in water quality—caused by sewer overflows
after rainstorms, for example—are especially at risk. These
swimmers do not swim on an “average” day measured
over a 30-day period, nor are they aware that they may be
swimming on a day when a periodic exceedance is allowed;
they swim on the single day they choose and, on that day,
they risk greater or lesser degrees of exposure to a variety of
illnesses. The EPA’s criteria ignore the health risks faced by
swimmers from daily exposures to pathogens.
Second, EPA’s allowable risk rate for illness is unacceptably
high. The agency’s 2012 criteria include a set of values
corresponding to a risk rate for gastrointestinal illness of 36
illnesses per 1,000 swimmers in marine and fresh waters.
In other words, the EPA has deemed it acceptable for 36 of
every 1,000 beachgoers to become ill with gastroenteritis—
including vomiting, nausea, or stomachache—from
swimming in waters that just meet its criteria values. The
EPA’s only apparent justification for the 36/1,000 illness rate is
that a comparable value had been included in its 1986 criteria
and therefore has a “history of acceptance by the public.” But
the fact is that most people have no idea what level of risk
they are taking when swimming in waters that are supposed
to be safe. EPA’s reliance on the public’s so-called acceptance
of this risk is misguided.
Third, the EPA fails to adequately address the risk of
non-gastrointestinal illnesses that result from recreating
in contaminated waters. Non-gastrointestinal effects of
pathogen exposure include rashes; upper respiratory
illness; and ear, eye, and sinus infections, all of which are
commonly contracted by recreational swimmers. The EPA
did not properly account for swimmers’ risks of contracting
non-gastrointestinal illnesses in preparing the 2012 criteria.
Instead, it simply assumed that non-gastrointestinal illnesses
will occur at a lower rate than gastrointestinal illnesses, and a
measurement of one could therefore be a proxy for the other.
Whatever incidental protection the EPA’s approach may
offer is insufficient to guard against the non-gastrointestinal
effects of pathogen exposure.
The EPA needs to correct the 2012 Recreational Water
Quality Criteria so that the above issues are addressed.
Ensure Adequate Funding for
State Monitoring and Notification
Programs
The Obama administration should maintain funding for
coastal and Great Lakes states to monitor beachwater quality
and inform the public about health risks. States’ monitoring
and notification efforts are critical safeguards that protect
more than 100 million beachgoers and swimmers across the
nation from waterborne diseases. Monitoring programs help
states determine whether there are bacteria in the water that
can make people sick, while notification programs let the
public know when beaches are closed or present potentially
dangerous swimming conditions. Both types of programs are
needed to keep families safe and healthy.
States do not have the financial resources to run these
programs entirely on their own, without federal assistance.
Historically, the EPA’s BEACH Act grant program has
provided nearly $10 million each year to help states keep
their monitoring and notification programs and up and
running.9 Though these small grants are less than Congress
authorized, they represent critical investments in safeguards
for our nation’s $90 billion coastal tourism economy,
which generates nearly 2 million jobs at more than 100,000
businesses each year.10
However, the president’s budget proposals for the past two
years have suggested the elimination of all federal funding
for the BEACH Act grant program. Last year the program was
saved when Congress did not adopt the president’s proposal,
but the program is at risk again this year. If BEACH Act grants
are eliminated, many states will have to reduce their beach
monitoring efforts, and others—including Florida, Alabama,
and Maine, whose programs are funded solely by federal
grants—may be forced to shut down their monitoring and
notification programs entirely.
With thousands of beach closures and advisories issued
last year, now is not the time to stop monitoring beachwater
and notifying the public of danger. The administration should
not jeopardize the health of millions of people, billions of
dollars in economic activity, and millions of jobs in order to
shave a tiny fraction off of the EPA’s budget. It just doesn’t
make sense. The administration should restore EPA funding
of the BEACH Act grant program at least at the previous level
of $9.8 million.
Require Pollution Controls for
Discharges into All Tributary
Streams, and Protect PollutionFiltering Wetlands
Overwhelming bipartisan majorities in Congress passed
the Clean Water Act in 1972, guaranteeing that all of our
nation’s waters would be covered by a suite of pollution
control programs. Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and
2006 undermined this bedrock environmental legislation by
creating uncertainty about what types of waters are protected
by the law. Agency “guidance” issued under former president
George W. Bush further limited the ability of pollution control
officials to protect our waters, making implementation of
the law difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. As a result,
it became unclear whether the law protected a variety of
waters, especially those that are geographically isolated from
others or that lack permanent flow. Over the past decade,
tens of millions of wetland acres, which provide crucial
flood protection as well as wildlife habitat, and about 2
million miles of streams, which provide drinking water for
117 million people, have been in legal limbo. Without clear
rules protecting critical waterways, it is difficult to keep our
waters—and our beaches—clean.
To address this problem, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers developed new guidelines that better protect
critical waters and are more faithful to the Clean Water Act’s
history and purpose.11 The agencies released those guidelines
for public feedback in 2011 and received more than 230,000
comments, the vast majority of which were positive. Despite
this overwhelming support, the Obama administration has
not released the guidelines, which means that industrial
polluters can continue to dump chemicals, bacteria, and
other waste into many small streams and wetlands without
penalty; that waste can then wash into bigger lakes, rivers,
and even oceans. According to The New York Times, EPA
regulators reported that in a four-year period, more than
1,500 major pollution investigations involving oil spills,
carcinogenic chemicals, and dangerous bacteria in lakes,
rivers, and other water bodies had been suspended or
dropped.12
As this report goes to press, the president has still
not released these guidelines to strengthen clean water
protections. We continue to call on the administration
to do so, and to follow the release of the guidance with
durable rules.
Improve the Resiliency of Wastewater
Infrastructure to Coastal Flooding
Hurricane Sandy caused scores of sewage treatment plants
in eight states—from Virginia to Rhode Island—to release 11
billion gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage into
waterways (and, in some cases, city streets). Nearly all of that
spilled sewage (94%) resulted from coastal flood damage
rather than excessive rainfall. This includes storm surges that
overwhelmed treatment plants and pumping stations, as well
as power outages that disabled facilities.13
Wastewater treatment plants are often sited in low-lying
areas along the coast, since sewers are typically gravity-fed.
In the face of rising sea levels and the increased frequency
and intensity of storms that climate change will bring, these
facilities, with the assistance of state and federal funding,
need to improve their resiliency to coastal flood events.
Specifically, wastewater utilities immediately should start
to implement the strategies highlighted in NRDC’s recent
report Getting Climate Smart: A Water Preparedness Guide for
State Action.14 Such strategies include these:
• Evaluate flood-proofing vulnerable wastewater facilities
by raising the elevation of structures, installing watertight
doors and windows, replacing wet/dry well pumps
with submersible pumps, increasing emergency power
backup for all key equipment operations, and relocating
vulnerable equipment.
• Update water and wastewater emergency response and
maintenance procedures to prepare for more common
and more extensive coastal flooding of vulnerable
infrastructure.
• Plan for alternative power supplies to support operations
in case of loss of power.
• Install effluent pumping systems for wastewater
treatment plants affected by sea level rise, and ensure the
adequacy of emergency generator systems.
• Relocate high-risk facilities over the long term, but build
berms as a short-term protective measure.
Endnotes
1Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Pub. L. 110-140, sec. 438 (December 19, 2007).
2U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Technical Guidance on Implementing the Stormwater Runoff Requirements for Federal Projects
Under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act,” at 12 (December 2009).
3U.S. EPA, Office of Water, “Stormwater Rulemaking: Listening Sessions,” web presentation (February 2010), www.epa.gov/npdes/outreach_files/
webcast/feb020310/187267/final_sw_rulemaking.pdf.
4“Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS): June 2013 Motion to Enter Decree,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; http://www.epa.gov/
region5/chicagoriver/.
5
nited States and State of Illinois v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, case 1:11-cv-08859 (N.D. Ill. 2011), consent
U
decree, www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/decrees/civil/cwa/mwrd-cd.pdf.
6U.S. EPA, ARRA—Clean Water Sate Revolving Fund – Green Project Reserve Report (June 2012), water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwsrf/upload/
ARRA-CWSRF-GPR-Report.pdf.
7
Western Kentucky University, Stormwater Utility Survey 2012, www.wku.edu/engineering/documents/swusurveys/swusurvey-2012.pdf.
8See NRDC, “Creating Clean Water Cash Flows: Developing Private Markets for Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Philadelphia,”http://www.nrdc.
org/water/stormwater/files/green-infrastructure-pa-report.pdf. (January 2013). See also NYS 2100 Commission, “Recommendations to Improve the
Strength and Resilience of the Empire State’s Infrastructure,” (2013), www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/NYS2100.pdf.
9U.S. EPA, EPA Grants Available to Implement Beach Monitoring and Public Notification Programs in 2012, fact sheet (January 2012), water.epa.
gov/grants_funding/beachgrants/upload/2012fs.pdf.
10National Ocean Economics Program, Ocean Economy Sector & Industry Data, www.oceaneconomics.org/Market/ocean/oceanEcon.asp (search
results for economic data in all coastal states’ tourism and recreation sectors in 2010).
11U.S. EPA, Clean Water Act Definition of ‘Waters of the United States,’ water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm.
12Charles Duhigg and Janet Roberts, “Rulings Restrict Clean Water Act, Foiling E.P.A.,” New York Times, February 28, 2010; www.nytimes.
com/2010/03/01/us/01water.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0.
13Climate Central, “Hurricane Sandy’s Untold Filthy Legacy: Sewage,” www.climatecentral.org/news/11-billion-gallons-of-sewage-overflow-fromhurricane-sandy-15924.
14American Rivers & NRDC, “Getting Climate Smart: A Water Preparedness Guide for State Action,” (April 2013) www.nrdc.org/water/climatesmart/.
Testing the Waters
Authors
Mark Dorfman
Angela Haren
Jon Devine
GREAT LAKES SUPPLEMENT
TESTING THE WATERS: A GUIDE TO WATER QUALITY AT VACATION BEACHES
The people of the Great Lakes region are justifiably proud of their beautiful lakeshore beaches.
However, these beaches are threatened by a variety of pollution sources and major environmental
stresses, which contribute to contaminated beachwater that can make people sick. In 2012, out of all
the areas measured, the Great Lakes region had the highest percentage of monitoring samples that
exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s health standards for E. coli bacteria. Approximately
1 in every 10 samples taken in the region last year was more contaminated than EPA’s standards
allowed.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS HURTING THE GREAT LAKES
The impacts of climate change on water systems—changes in precipitation patterns and intensity, greater incidence of
drought, increasing evaporation and water temperatures, reductions in lake and river ice, changes in soil moisture and runoff—
are increasingly evident in the Great Lakes region.1 These shifts are magnified by other factors, including aging and failing
infrastructure, runoff pollution, and invasive species.
Across the Great Lakes Basin, 2012 began with a mild winter, quickly followed by an early spring and a hot summer of record
highs. As a historic drought crippled 65 percent of the country, the first five months of the year were the warmest on record for
many Great Lakes cities.2 Lake Superior, the northernmost, coldest, and deepest of the five Great Lakes, recorded its warmest
temperatures in at least a century.3
Lakes Michigan and Huron, the hardest-hit of the five lakes, experienced record low levels this past winter. These conditions
are troubling to the shipping industry, which spent the last year struggling to move cargo into ports with low water levels—a
situation similar to the disruption of barge traffic on the Mississippi River.4
The irregular weather, while specific to one year, illustrates a larger trend. Extreme drought and high temperatures have
kept water levels in the Great Lakes below their long-term averages for the past 14 years. Over the past 43 years, Michigan has
been the second-fastest-warming state in the country, followed by Minnesota and Wisconsin.5 From 1973 to 2011, annual ice
cover on the Great Lakes shrank by 63 percent.
Reduced ice cover can have large impacts on the health of the Great Lakes. Increased light penetration promotes algae
growth and the survival of invasive species. Without ice and snow coverage, the lakes suffer from water loss due to increased
evaporation. Stable ice that once prevented shoreline and wetland erosion is disappearing—and, with it, parts of our beaches.6
Known for its signature perched dunes, Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is one of many Great Lakes parks
vulnerable to increased erosion. The loss of winter ice and snow cover renders the dunes’ sands vulnerable to wind and
exposes the bluffs to undercutting waves.7
The Great Lakes are also affected by extreme precipitation events. The frequency of extreme storms—those delivering
more than 3 inches of precipitation in 24 hours—has increased significantly in recent years. In fact, seven in the past 12
years ranked at the top for the number of extreme storms in the Midwest since 1961.8 Storms are expected to become not
only more frequent but also stronger. In southern Wisconsin, extreme precipitation events are projected to become 10 to
40 percent stronger; in Illinois, heavy downpours are already twice as frequent as they were a century ago; and winters and
springs in Ohio are projected to experience 30 percent more precipitation, which could increase flooding risks to floodplain
communities. 9,10,11
PAGE 2 Great Lakes Supplement Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2013
FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE
The Great Lakes region also faces threats from a combination of outdated and failing infrastructure. The American Society
of Civil Engineers’ 2013 Infrastructure Report Card gave the nation’s aging wastewater system a grade of D-plus. In the eight
Great Lakes states, $100.6 billion in wastewater infrastructure investment is needed over the next 20 years to achieve a basic
level of functionality.12
Crumbling and outmoded infrastructure causes several problems that can pollute Great Lakes beaches. For one, aging
sanitary sewer systems can leak or allow stormwater to infiltrate, causing overflows or treatment facility bypasses. These
system failures often lead to human waste in our waterways. Beyond that, many cities have conventional stormwater systems
that simply dump polluted runoff from buildings, streets, and parking lots into nearby water bodies; these systems collect and
discharge stormwater that has picked up fecal matter, pesticides, and other pollutants before flowing into sewers. As highintensity storm events occur more frequently, heavy rainfall will flush even more pollutants into waterways.13
In addition, more than 70 percent of all combined sewers in the United States are located in the Great Lakes region.14
Combined sewers collect sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff within a single pipe system and route the mixture to sewage
treatment plants. When heavy rainfall overwhelms these systems, they are designed to send excess flow through wastewater
outfall locations into local waterways, including the Great Lakes, to prevent sewage from flooding homes and businesses. 15
Of the five states with the highest number of outfall locations, four of them—Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Illinois—have
Great Lake shorelines.16 In 2010, these outfalls, along with outfalls in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New York, released
18.7 billion gallons of combined sewage and storm runoff into the Great Lakes.17
As the frequency of extreme rainfall events increases, the instances of combined sewer overflows will also increase. In
southern Wisconsin, the frequency of combined sewer overflows is expected to rise 50 to 120 percent by the end of the
century.18 The problem of increasing volumes of combined sewage is so acute in Chicago that runoff has caused the Chicago
River to reverse its flow. In the past five years, the river has reversed eight times, sending more than 20 billion gallons of
contaminated water into Lake Michigan.19
THREATS TO HUMAN HEALTH
Despite the size of the Great Lakes, pollution pouring into lake waters is a threat to human health. Untreated sewage can
contain more than 120 viruses, two of which, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, can cause intestinal illnesses and even death.20
These viruses and pollutants don’t simply disappear under the lakes’ surface. For example, in a study of four Ohio beaches,
researchers frequently found Arcobacter, a pathogen associated with human and animal fecal contamination, at each beach.
Arcobacter is known to cause gastrointestinal disease in humans.21
Pollutants released into surface waters in the Great Lakes Basin increased by 12 percent from 2010 to 2011. Most of these are
nitrates and pesticides from municipal wastewater treatment plants and agricultural sources. Primary metals facilities—such
as iron and steel mills and smelters—and food and beverage manufacturers also contribute nitrate pollution.22
As increasing temperatures reduce lake levels and increasing storm events dump more pollutants into the Great Lakes, it
is expected that climate change will increase the concentration of pollutants in the Great Lakes as well as instances of beach
contamination and closings in the future.23
ALGAE AND INVASIVE SPECIES
Nitrogen and phosphorus in stormwater runoff, sewage from CSOs and water treatment plants, and agricultural runoff spur
the growth of large, harmful algal blooms. These slimy mats of algae foul beaches and the taste of drinking water and produce
toxins that are dangerous to humans.24 In 2011, a toxic algal mat blanketing Lake Erie was so massive it could be seen from
space. Though algal blooms in 2012 weren’t as extreme, experts fear that another infestation of harmful blooms will occur this
year; indeed, there are indications that it is already happening.25,26
Dissolved reactive phosphorus loads from fertilizer and animal manure have increased 218 percent in Lake Erie since
1995.27 When algae feed off these excess nutrients, they overproduce.28 The growth of algae suffocates the Great Lakes by
creating a condition called hypoxia, a depletion of oxygen levels in the water caused by their growth and decomposition.29
Similar to the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico, hypoxia in the Great Lakes’ aquatic ecosystem suffocates fish and other
organisms.30
NRDC and a coalition of top environmental groups are suing the EPA for its refusal to address this critical pollution
problem, which it has acknowledged for decades: the contribution of nitrates and phosphorus to the growth of harmful algal
blooms. The EPA called on states in 1998 to adopt specific limits on nitrogen and phosphorus pollution for their water bodies
and promised to enact its own limits if states did not act by 2003. States have ignored the deadline, as has EPA, forcing the
current litigation.31
Temperature increases associated with climate change, including both rising overall temperatures and more extreme
temperature fluctuations, also contribute to nutrient-fueled algal growth in the Great Lakes.32 Cladophora, a green alga found
in the Great Lakes, thrives in warmer temperatures. When toxic clumps of cladophora wash onto beaches, they become
smelly breeding grounds for bacteria such as E. coli, enterococcus, and type B botulinum, creating high pathogen counts and
triggering beach closures.33 Cladophora is also a threat to wildlife that depends on the Great Lakes. In the fall of 2012, nearly
900 loons died while migrating south across Lake Michigan. Scientists believe that type B botulinum fostered by the algae-rich
environment worked its way up the food chain from tiny worms and invertebrates to the loons. Low water levels and high
temperatures intensify these botulism outbreaks.34
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which produce the hepatoxin microcystin, pose another health threat. Acute exposure to
the toxin can lead to gastrointestinal illness, while chronic exposure can result in liver disease and damage and possible tumor
promotion.
Unfortunately, monitoring harmful algal blooms and their toxins is difficult, and methods for doing so are still under
development.35 None of the Great Lakes states currently have harmful algal bloom monitoring in place to protect swimmers.36
Another force abetting the growth of algae is the decimating impact of invasive species, such as quagga and zebra mussels
and filter-feeding Asian carp. These invasive species relentlessly filter out plankton at the base of the food chain, increasing
water clarity and promoting the growth of large mats of green algae on the lake floor.37 These mats can break free and
eventually accumulate on the coast, fouling Great Lakes beaches.38
While short-term efforts are under way to stop the Asian carp from moving into the Great Lakes, a longer-term solution is
desperately needed. NRDC, along with other states and organizations, have pressed for the construction of a physical barrier
between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin to permanently solve this problem. At a recent meeting of the Great
Lakes Commission, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn expressed his support for this position.39
GREAT LAKES 2012 BEACH CLOSING/ADVISORIES AND POLLUTION SOURCES
Total closing/advisory days for 1,683 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less increased 7% to 3,632 days in 2012 from
3,410 days in 2011. In prior years, there were 3,766 days in 2010, 3,300 days in 2009, and 3,437 days in 2008. In addition, there
were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than
13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 1,683 events lasting six
consecutive weeks or less, 91% (3,317) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels,
1% (48) were preemptive based on the results of computer modeling, 3% (96) were preemptive due to other reasons, and 6%
(211) were preemptive due to heavy rainfall. (Totals exceed total days and 100% because more than one reason was reported
for some events.)
Reported Sources of Beachwater Contamination (number of closing/advisory days)
• 2,995 (82%) unknown contamination sources
• 513 (14%) stormwater runoff
• 120 (3%) other contamination sources
• 4 (<1%) wildlife
GREAT LAKES 2012 BEACH WATER QUALITY
In 2012, Great Lakes states reported 1,144 coastal beaches, of which 41 (4%) were assigned a monitoring frequency of daily,
210 (18%) more than once a week, 354 (31%) once a week, 7 (1%) every other week, 1 (<1%) once a month, and 3 (<1%) less
than once a month; 528 (46%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 10% of all reported beach monitoring
samples exceeded the national daily maximum bacterial standard of 235 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest
percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012 were Jeorse Park Beach I in Indiana (70%), Camp Perry in
Ohio (70%), Wisconsin Point Beach 2 in Wisconsin (64%), Arcadia Beach in Ohio (57%), Jeorse Park Beach II in Indiana (52%),
Lakeview Beach (52%) and Bay View West (49%) in Ohio, Bender Beach in Wisconsin (48%), Park Point 20th Street/Hearding
Island Canal Beach in Minnesota (47%), and Port Clinton (Deep\Lakeview) (47%) and Lakeshore Park in Ohio (44%). Ohio
had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (21%), followed by New York (Great Lakes beaches
only, 14%), Wisconsin (14%), Minnesota (12%), Indiana (10%), Illinois (10%), Pennsylvania (9%), and Michigan (6%). NRDC
considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis.
This includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if any.
Percent of Samples Exceeding the State’s Daily
Maximum Bacterial Standard for 469 Beaches
Reported 2008-2012
2012 Beachwater Quality Summary
182
BEACHES
15%
13%
12%
11%
11%
543
BEACHES
223
BEACHES
113
BEACHES
83
BEACHES
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
■ 0%
■ >10-20%
■ >0-10%
■ >20%
■ Less than 12
samples in 2011
BACTERIAL STANDARDS
Seven of the eight Great Lakes states use the BEACH Act single-sample standard to inform beach closing/advisory decisions.
This standard is 235 cu/100 ml of E.coli. Michigan’s single-sample standard is 300 cfu/100 ml of E. coli.
Four of the Great Lakes states use a geometric-mean standard based on at least five samples over a 30-day period to inform
beach closing/advisory decisions. Michigan applies a geometric mean standard of 130 cfu/100 ml. Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Pennsylvania also applies a geometric mean standard of 126 cfu/100 ml at high-priority beaches. In New York, local beach
authorities decide whether to apply the geometric mean when making closing and advisory decisions. Illinois, Indiana, and
Ohio do not apply the geometric-mean standard when making closing and advisory decisions.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
If the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River region (including the U.S. and Canada) were its own country, it would be the fourth
largest economy in the world.40 More than 1.5 million jobs in the U.S. are directly tied to the Great Lakes, with 200,000 jobs
supported by recreation and tourism. Clearly, the damage inflicted on the Great Lakes has not only severe environmental
and human health impacts, but wide-reaching economic effects as well.41 Closing all the breach sites on Lake Michigan alone
could cost local economies as much as $2.7 billion.42
In 2003, spending on boats and boating activities in the Great Lakes states totaled nearly $16 billion and directly supported
107,000 jobs.43 Yet increased evaporation due to an early spring and hot summer has lowered lake levels to a point where the
recreational boating industry is starting to feel the impact of climate change. Low water levels make it difficult to move ships
from deeper lake waters to shallow ports as well as shorten the boating season, impacting the livelihood of those who depend
on Great Lakes recreation.44
Low water also has serious implications for Great Lakes—St. Lawrence Seaway shipping, a $34 billion industry that impacts
commodity and manufacturing costs as well as consumer prices. To cope with low water levels, ship owners are forced to
lighten the loads on their boats, making each shipment less efficient and less profitable.45 In December and January, extreme
drought reduced water levels on the Mississippi River and nearly halted the shipment of $7 billion worth of grain, coal, crude
oil, and other products moving between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.46
The threats of failing infrastructure, algal blooms and climate change threaten more than regional and national
economies—the Great Lakes are the source of 20 percent of the world’s freshwater and the drinking water source for more
than 30 million people in the U.S. alone.
Endnotes
1
Chou, Ben, “Ready or Not: An Evaluation of State Climate and Water Preparedness Planning,” Natural Resources Defense Council, April 2012,
http://www.nrdc.org/water/readiness/files/Water-Readiness-full-report.pdf.
2
3
Freedman, Andrew, “Great Lakes Water Temperatures At Record Levels,” Climate Central, July 25, 2012, www.climatecentral.org/news/greatlakes-water-temperatures-at-record-levels//.
4
Schwartz, John, “Water Levels Fall in Great Lakes, Taking a Toll on Shipping,” New York Times, June 10, 2013, www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/us/
great-lakes-shipping-suffers-as-water-levels-fall.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130611.
5
Kalish, Jennifer, “Great Lakes cities smash long-time heat records,” Great Lakes Echo, June 21, 2012, greatlakesecho.org/2012/06/21/great-lakescities-smash-long-time-heat-records.
6
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, “Ice Cover on the Great Lakes,” http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pubs/brochures/ice/ice.pdf.
7
Saunders, Stephen, et al., “Great Lakes National Parks in Peril: The Threats of Climate Disruption,” The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, July
2011, http://www.rockymountainclimate.org/images/GreatLakesParksInPeril.pdf.
8
Saunders, Stephen, et al., “Doubled Trouble: More Midwestern Extreme Storms,” The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, May 2012, http://
rockymountainclimate.org/images/DoubledTroubleHigh.pdf.
9
Patz, Jonathan A., et al., “Climate Change and Waterborne Disease Risk in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.,” American Journal of Preventative
Medicine, 35(5), 2008, http://www.sage.wisc.edu/pubs/articles/M-Z/patz/patzetalAJPM08.pdf.
10
Chou, Ben, “Ready or Not: An Evaluation of State Climate and Water Preparedness Planning,” Illinois State Summary, April 2012, www.nrdc.org/
water/files/ClimateWaterFS_ChicagoIL.pdf.
11
Ibid.
12
American Society of Civil Engineers, “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” 2013, www.infrastructurereportcard.org/.
13
14
Great Lakes Commission, “The Federal Wastewater Infrastructure Deficit in the Great Lakes Region,” 2010, www.glc.org/announce/10/pdf/
CitiesInvest-20100212-Final.pdf.
15
Ibid.
16
American Society of Civil Engineers, “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” 2013, www.infrastructurereportcard.org/.
17
Lyandres, Olga, and Lyman C. Welch, “Reducing Combined Sewer Overflows in the Great Lakes: Why Investing in Infrastructure Is Critical to
Improving Water Quality,” Alliance for the Great Lakes, June 19, 2012, www.greatlakes.org/document.doc?id=1178.
18
19
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, “Reversals to Lake Michigan (1985–Present),” 2013, http://www.mwrd.org/irj/go/km/
docs/documents/MWRD/internet/protecting_the_environment/Combined_Sewer_Overflows/pdfs/Reversals.pdf.
20
21
Lee, Cheonghoon, et al., “Arcobacter in Lake Erie Beach Waters: An Emerging Gastrointestinal Pathogen Linked with Human-Associated
Fecal Contamination,” Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 78(16): 5511-5519, August 2012, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC3406108/.
22
US Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA’s 2011 Toxics Release Inventory Shows Increase in Great lakes Basin Pollution,” January 16, 2013,
HYPERLINK "http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6427a6b7538955c585257359003f0230/da29d0429ffa5d9385257af5007c9172!OpenDocu
ment" yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6427a6b7538955c585257359003f0230/da29d0429ffa5d9385257af5007c9172!OpenDocument.
23
24
Magnien, Robert, “Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia in the Great Lakes Region,” NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, http://
www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/hab/habhrca/GL_fact_09-06.pdf.
25
Pignataro, T.J., “Toxic Algae and Lake Erie’s dead zone,” Buffalo News, May 29, 2013, www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20130529/CITYANDREGION/130529193/1010.
26
Wines, Michael, “Spring Rain, Then Foul Algae in Ailing Lake Erie,” New York Times, March 14, 2013, www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/science/
earth/algae-blooms-threaten-lake-erie.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&.
27
Chemnick, Jean, “Agriculture, Climate Change Team to Fill Erie with Killer Algae--Report,” E&E News, April 29, 2013, www.eenews.net/
eenewspm/2013/04/29/4.
28
Stern, Andrew, “Great Lakes Face Stresses from Run-Off Invaders,” Reuters, October 4, 2011, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/usgreatlakes-idUSTRE7937CY20111004.
29
Yeoman, Barry, “Lake Erie Death Watch,” OnEarth, August 31, 2011, http://www.onearth.org/article/lake-erie-death-watch.
30
Hall, Matthew, “Study May Predict How Climate Change Fosters Great Lakes Dead Zones,” Great Lakes Echo, September 19, 2012,
greatlakesecho.org/2012/09/19/study-could-predict-effects-of-climate-change-on-great-lakes-dead-zones/.
31
Natural Resources Defense Council, “Mighty, Messy Mississippi: Groups File Dual Legal Actions on Pollution that Fuels Gulf Dead Zone,” March
14, 2012, http://www.nrdc.org/media/2012/120314b.asp.
32
33
Great Lakes Science Center, “Algal (Cladophora) Mats Harbor High Concentrations of Indicator Bacteria and Pathogens,” U.S. Geological Survey,
2009, http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/_files/factsheets/2009-1%20Cladophora.pdf.
34
Kraker, Dan, “Scientists Suspect Great Lakes Invaders in Loon Deaths,” Minnesota Public Radio, March 11, 2013, www.sctimes.com/
article/20130311/SPORTS05/303110057/Scientists-suspect-Great-Lakes-invaders-loon-deaths?nclick_check=1.
35
Erdner, Deane L., et al., “Centers for Ocean and Human Health: A Unified Approach to the Challenge of Harmful Algal Blooms,” Environmental
Health Journal, 7(2), 2008: Proceedings of the Centers for Oceans and Human Health Investigators Meeting, http://www.ehjournal.net/content/7/
S2/S2.
36
Magnien, Robert, “Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia in the Great Lakes Region,” NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, http://
www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/hab/habhrca/GL_fact_09-06.pdf.
37
Hinderer, Julie Mida, et al., “Feast and Famine in the Great Lakes: How Nutrients and Invasive Species Interact to Overwhelm the Coasts and
Starve Offshore Waters,” National Wildlife Federation, October 4, 2011, http://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Regional/Great-Lakes/GreatLakesFeast-and-Famine-Nutrient-Report.ashx.
38
Heuvel, Amy V., et al., “The Green Alga, Cladophora, Promotes Escherichia coli Growth and Containment of Recreational Waters in Lake
Michigan,” J Environ Qual. 39 (1): 333-344, January – February 2010, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20048321.
39
Associated Press, “Gov. Quinn Open to Great Lakes–Mississippi Split,” National Public Radio, June 1, 2013, www.npr.org/templates/story/story.
php?storyId=187911967.
40
World Business Chicago, “Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region,” March 2011, www.worldbusinesschicago.com/files/data/GLSL_Economy_
Update_2011%20(2009%20data)_1.pdf.
41
Hinderer, Julie Mida, et al., “Feast and Famine in the Great Lakes: How Nutrients and Invasive Species Interact to Overwhelm the Coasts and
Starve Offshore Waters,” National Wildlife Federation, October 4, 2011, http://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Regional/Great-Lakes/GreatLakesFeast-and-Famine-Nutrient-Report.ashx.
42
Song, Feng, Frank Lupi, and Michael Kaplowitz, “Valuing Great Lakes Beaches,” Presentation at the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association
2010 AAEA, CAES, & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, July 25-27, 2010, http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/61791/2/BeachPaperSubmit-10May5.pdf.
43
Great Lakes Commission, “Great Lakes Recreational Boating’s Economic Punch”.
44
Asanova-Taylor, Saodat, “Low Water Means Low Revenue for Great Lakes Boating Businessses,” Great Lakes Echo, September 24, 2012,
greatlakesecho.org/2012/09/24/low-water-means-low-revenue-for-great-lakes-boating-businesses/.
45
Schwartz, John, “Water Levels Fall in Great Lakes, Taking a Toll on Shipping,” New York Times, June 10, 2013, www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/us/
great-lakes-shipping-suffers-as-water-levels-fall.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130611.
46
Plume, Karl, “Shippers Seek White House’s Help to Keep Mississippi River Open,” Reuters, November 27, 2012, articles.chicagotribune.
com/2012-11-27/news/sns-rt-us-usa-barges-mississippibre8aq17u-20121127_1_mississippi-river-karl-plume-water-releases.
testing
the waters
23rd Edition
The Impacts of Beach Pollution
Polluted beachwater makes swimmers sick and hurts coastal economies. Illnesses associated with polluted
beachwater include stomach flu, skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, meningitis, and hepatitis. In
addition to the health effects of polluted beachwater, there may be deep financial impacts as well. Economists
have estimated that a typical swimming day is worth approximately $35 for each beach visitor, so the
economic loss for each day on which a beach is closed or under advisory for water quality problems can be
quite significant.
Health Risks
Diseases Caused by Pathogens in Bathing Waters
Polluted waters may contain disease-causing organisms
called pathogens. The most common types of pathogens—
bacteria, viruses, and protozoa—are those associated with
human and animal waste. For instance, giardiasis is caused
by the protozoan Giardia lambia, North America’s leading
reported intestinal parasite.1 Swimmers in sewage-polluted
water can contract any illness that is spread by fecal contact,
including stomach flu, respiratory infection, and ear and
skin infections. Most swimming-related illnesses last from a
few days to several weeks, but in some cases pathogens may
cause severe, long-term illness or even death.
For more
information,
please
contact:
Jon Devine
[email protected]
(202) 289-6868
switchboard.nrdc.org/
blogs/jdevine
Sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, or
those with a weakened immune system are particularly at risk
for long-term effects. For example, research has shown that
children under the age of nine have more reports of diarrhea
and vomiting from exposure to waterborne pathogens
than any other age group, with at least a twofold increase
occurring over the summer swimming months.2 There is
usually a delay of several days to two weeks between contact
with contaminated water and expression of symptoms, and
most people who get sick from swimming are not aware of
the link. Beachgoers can even become ill without going in
the water. A 2009 study found a positive association between
beach sand contact and the risk of gastrointestinal illness at
beaches near a sewage treatment plant outfall.3
www.nrdc.org/policy
www.facebook.com/nrdc.org
www.twitter.com/nrdc
On the basis of beach visitation rates and monitoring
data, researchers have estimated that 689,000 to 4,003,000
instances of gastrointestinal illness and 693,000 instances
of respiratory illness occurred each year between 2000 and
2004 at Southern California beaches.4 While these estimates
are subject to a great deal of uncertainty, they provide insight
into the potential for underreporting of such illnesses.
Contaminated Runoff and Incidence of Disease
Discharges of polluted urban runoff result in elevated
bacteria levels and increased illness rates among swimmers,
and the association between heavy precipitation (leading
to increased runoff) and waterborne disease outbreaks is
well documented.5 For instance, a 2012 California study
investigated surfers’ risk of contracting gastrointestinal
illness during dry weather and in post-storm conditions
in the coastal waters of Southern California based on
enterococcus and fecal coliform concentrations in the water.
The researchers found that “at most beaches, there are higher
GI risks after rainfall than during dry condition[s]” and that
“some beaches have significantly elevated health risks for
surfers after a storm event.”6
A large-scale 1995 epidemiological study, also in
California, investigated possible adverse health effects of
swimming in ocean waters contaminated by urban runoff.7
The study found an increased risk of illness associated with
swimming near flowing storm drain outlets in Santa Monica
Bay, compared with swimming more than 400 yards away.
Swimmers near storm drains were found to have a 57 percent
greater incidence of fever, for instance, than those swimming
farther away.
NRDC supports a variety of solutions to beach pollution
from contaminated runoff—including the use of permeable
pavement and the installation of rain gardens to reduce
runoff volume. To learn more, see “Community Measures to
Prevent Beach and Ocean Pollution” on our Smarter Living
page.
Climate Change and Incidence of Disease
Climate change is expected to increase the incidence of
diseases contracted by swimmers. Recreational waters
located in areas where climate change causes increased
precipitation and runoff are more likely to become
contaminated with pathogens such as Cryptosporidium
parvum and Giardia lambia, which are associated with
polluted runoff and combined sewer overflows. An article in
Climate Research notes that, although there are uncertainties,
“a wetter climate in the [mid-Atlantic region] could lead
to higher [Cryptosporidium] loads in water.”8 A major
cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Milwaukee in 1993 killed 54
people and sickened more than 400,000 after stormwater
compromised the performance of a drinking water treatment
plant.9
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which causes cholera,
is another pathogen that presents an increased threat to
humans as a result of climate change. Extreme weather
events and warmer waters can foster growth of the
bacterium; one study found that V. cholerae was nearly 20
times more likely to occur at a temperature of 66.2°F or
higher than at lower temperatures.10 Increased freshwater
runoff, high in nutrients and low in salinity, also may favor
the growth of V. cholerae. As one study of Chesapeake Bay
concluded, “Increased climate variability, accompanied by
higher stream flow rates and warmer temperatures, could
favor conditions that increase the occurrence of V. cholera in
Chesapeake Bay.”11
Threats to Swimmers from Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HABs), often called red tides, are
a growing problem in surface waters where nutrientrich pollution can spur algal growth. Several species of
phytoplankton produce potent toxins that can make people
sick if they are exposed to contaminated water or if they
eat contaminated fish or shellfish. These organisms are a
natural part of the ocean ecosystem, but when conditions are
right, they experience a rapid growth in number, resulting
in a “bloom.” HABs can last for days, weeks, or months and
cause serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms in
humans, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal
cramping, chills, diminished temperature sensation, muscle
aches, dizziness, anxiety, sweating, seizures, numbness and
tingling of the mouth and digits, paralysis, and cardiovascular
and respiratory ailments.12 Approximately 10 percent of
all food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States are
caused by eating seafood contaminated by algal toxins.13 And
because they can aerosolize, toxins produced by harmful
algae can cause respiratory distress even in beach visitors
who do not enter the water.14,15
The incidence of HABs has increased dramatically over
the past 30 years. Indeed, analyzing data spanning nearly
50 years from the southwest coast of Florida, researchers at
the University of Miami determined that Karenia brevis red
tides are occurring with greater frequency, closer to shore,
and during more months of the year. They attribute this to
greater inputs of nutrients into coastal waters from increased
agricultural runoff and sewage discharges in the watershed
over that time period.16 In 2011, the Great Lakes suffered one
of the worst algae blooms in decades—so large, in fact, that
the slimy green cyanobacteria were visible from space.17
As is the case with pathogens, warmer waters may result in
expanded ranges for some harmful algae species.18 According
to a recent Chesapeake Bay Foundation report:
Climate change might be expanding the range of a few
new toxic species of algae into the estuary, and causing
others to bloom earlier, according to a 2008 report by a
scientific advisory committee of the U.S. EPA Chesapeake
Bay Program. For example, a toxic alga normally
associated with Florida and the Gulf Coast, Alexandrium
monilatum, in 2007 was believed to have been responsible
for killing whelks (a species of sea snail) in the York River
in Virginia. It was the first known bloom in this area, and
it represented a potential shift northward, according to
the EPA committee report. A large bloom of a toxic alga
normally found in the Caribbean Sea, Cochlodinium
polykrikoides, killed young fish and oysters in the lower
Chesapeake Bay in August 2007.19
Efforts to deal with red tides have focused on mitigating
the effects of these events, primarily through improved
systems to monitor for harmful algal blooms and to educate
and communicate the risks to the general population.
Techniques to prevent HABs involve restricting the
movement of harmful algal species via the shellfish market
and in ship ballast water. For example, ballast water may be
heated or chemically treated to prevent the introduction of
invasive species, and trade may be restricted in shellfish from
areas experiencing red tides. However, significantly reducing
the number of red tide events will require strong efforts to
control nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from sources
such as sewage systems, urban and suburban stormwater,
septic tanks, and agricultural runoff .20
To learn more about the health impacts of HABs as well
as how to protect your family, please see NRDC’s “Tides of
Trouble: Increased Threats to Human Health and Ecosystems
from Harmful Algal Blooms.”
Economic Impacts
Each year, Americans take more than 900 million trips to
coastal areas.21 In fact, beaches, rivers, and lakes constitute
the top vacation destinations in the nation.22 Yet our waters
provide more than just recreation—vacationers spend
approximately $44 billion annually during these coastal
trips.23 In 2010, the nation’s shoreline-adjacent counties
contributed an estimated $6 trillion toward the nation’s gross
domestic product and 47 million jobs.24 Economic activity
directly associated with the ocean pumped more than $222
billion into the U.S. economy in 2009.25
Polluted water puts these revenues at risk. Fouled beaches
result in a loss of utility for those who have planned to visit
and swim in the water; this impacts local economies in the
form of lost tourist dollars and the jobs they support.
Coastal tourism, attributable in part to clean beaches,
generates substantial revenues for state and local
governments as well as for businesses lining the coasts.
Economists estimate that a typical swimming day is worth
approximately $35 for each individual.26 Depending on the
number of potential visitors to a beach, the loss of beach
days due to warnings or closures can be quite significant. For
example, one study estimated economic losses as a result of
closing a Lake Michigan beach due to pollution could be as
high as $37,030 per day.27
Other economic impacts come in the form of medical
costs to stricken beachgoers. Some areas either do not
monitor their beaches or do not close them when water
quality fails to meet standards. This can result in lower shortterm losses for local businesses, but it also means that those
who get sick will incur medical costs and lost workdays as a
result. A Southern California study, for instance, concluded
that each year, fecal contamination at Los Angeles and
Orange County beaches caused between 627,800 and
1,479,200 excess gastrointestinal illnesses, with a public
health cost of $21 million to $51 million.28 According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospitalizations
for three common waterborne diseases—Legionnaires’
disease, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis—cost the health
care system as much as $539 million annually.29
Another example of the potential for economic harm from
beach pollution is found in Florida. One analysis of southeast
Florida estimated that there were more than 18 million
“person-days” of visits to natural reefs in four counties,
leading to $2.7 billion in spending and supporting more than
40,000 full- and part-time jobs.30 Yet coral reefs are being
adversely impacted not only by rising water temperatures
and increasing nutrient loads, but also by pathogen pollution
from sources such as untreated or inadequately treated
sewage. Fecal contamination from sewage in the Florida Keys
is thought to be a major source of disease in coral.31
Investments in improving water quality result in greater
economic returns. For instance, a 2007 Brookings Institution
study concluded that the $26 billion Great Lakes Regional
Collaboration Strategy to clean and preserve the Great Lakes
would result more than $50 billion in long-term economic
benefits and between $30 and $50 billion in short-term
“multiplier benefits.”32 A 2007 study by the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration found that an improvement
in water quality in Long Beach, California, to the healthier
standards of Huntington City Beach would create $8.8 million
in economic benefits over a 10-year period.33 A 2001 study of
the Chesapeake Bay compared the 1996 water quality of the
bay with the quality it would have had if legislation to clean
the waters had not been passed. The study estimated that
the water quality improvements increased annual boating,
fishing, and swimming revenue by $357.9 million to $1.8
billion.34
Cleaning up the sources of pollution so that beachwater
does not pose a risk to bathers is the optimal solution to
the challenges described here. In the meantime, protecting
public health will require improved beachwater monitoring
and the closing of beaches when contamination is detected
or suspected, rather than allowing people to swim and get
sick. Given the large number of people who visit our coastal
waters and the substantial economic value of coastal tourism,
the cost of monitoring programs is well justified.
Endnotes
1Health Canada, “Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Supporting Documentation—Protozoa: Giardia and Cryptosporidium,” Water
Quality and Health Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada (2004): 11, www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/alt_formats/
hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/water-eau/protozoa/protozoa.pdf.
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Giardiasis Surveillance—United States, 2009-2010,” September 2012, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/
mmwrhtml/ss6105a2.htm?s_cid=ss6105a2_w.
3Heany, C.D., et al., “Contact with Beach Sand Among Beachgoers and Risk of Illness,” American Journal of Epidemiology 170, no. 2 (May 2009), /
aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/170/2/164.full.pdf+html.
4Brinks, M.V., et al., “Health Risk of Bathing in Southern California Coastal Waters,” Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health 63, no. 3 (Fall
2008).
5Curriero, F.C., et al., “The Association Between Extreme Precipitation and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in the United States, 1949-1994,”
American Journal of Public Health 91, no.8 (August 2001), www.ajph.org/cgi/reprint/91/8/1194.pdf.
6Tseng, L.Y., and S.C. Jiang, “Comparison of Surfing Health Risk in Dry Weather and Post-Storm Conditions Using Quantitative Microbial Risk
Assessment (qMRA) for Southern California Beaches,” Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, May
2012, water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/upload/TsengLinda.pdf.
7Haile, R., et al., “An Epidemiological Study of Possible Adverse Health Effects of Swimming in Santa Monica Bay,” Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Project (1996), cited in 64 Fed. Reg. 68,721 (December 8, 1999).
8Benson, Keith, Patricia Kocagil, and James Shortle, “Climate Change and Health in the Mid-Atlantic Region,” Climate Research 14, no. 5 (May 2,
2000): 245-253.
9Curriero, F.C., et al., “The Association Between Extreme Precipitation and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in the United States, 1948-1994,”
American Journal of Public Health 91, no. 8(August 2001), www.ajph.org/cgi/reprint/91/8/1194.pdf.
10 Louis, V.R., et al., “Predictability of Vibrio Cholerae in Chesapeake Bay,” Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69, no. 5 (May 2003): 2773-2785.
11Ibid.
12 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, “The Harmful Algae Page,” www.whoi.edu/redtide/.
13Van Dolah, Frances M., “Marine Algal Toxins: Origins, Health Effects, and Their Increased Occurrence,” Environmental Health Perspectives
Supplements 108, no. S1 (March 2000).
14National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, “Frequently Asked Questions: What
Are the Dangers of Harmful Algal Blooms?” www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Centers/HABS/faqs_dangers_habs.html.
15 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, “The Harmful Algae Page,” www.whoi.edu/redtide/.
16Brand, L.E., and A. Compton, “Long-Term Increase in Karenia Brevis Abundance Along the Southwest Florida Coast,” Harmful Algae 6, no. 2
(February 2007): 232-252.
17Praetorius, Dean, “Lake Erie’s Toxic Algae Bloom Seen from Space: Green Scum Rampant in the Great Lakes,” The Huffington Post, October 14,
2011, www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/lake-eries-toxic-algae-bloom_n_1010902.html.
18Moore, S.K., et al. (2008); Mortsch, L., et al., “Climate Change and Water Quality in the Great Lakes Region: Risks, Opportunities, and Responses,”
report prepared for the Great Lakes Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission (August 2003): 91.
19Chesapeake Bay Foundation, “Bad Water 2009: The Impact on Human Health in the Chesapeake Bay Region” (July 2009): 9.
20See generally Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, “Prevention, Control and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms: A Research Plan” (September
2001): 9-10, www.whoi.edu/science/B/redtide/pertinentinfo/PCM_HAB_Research_Plan.
21U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Liquid Assets: A Summertime Perspective on the Importance of Clean Water to the Nation’s Economy,”
publication no. 800-R-96-002 (May 1996): 2.
22U.S. EPA, Office of Water, “Coastal Watershed Factsheets - The Beach and Your Coastal Watershed,” April 1998, http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/
fact2.cfm.
23U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Liquid Assets: A Summertime Perspective on the Importance of Clean Water to the Nation’s Economy,”
publication no. 800-R-96-002 (May 1996): 2.
24National Ocean Economic Program, Market Data, Coastal Economy Data, Shore Adjacent Coastal Zone Counties, noep.mbari.org/Market/coastal/
coastalEcon.asp.
25Ibid.
26Rabinovici, S.J., et al., “Economic and Health Risk Trade-Offs of Swim Closures at a Lake Michigan Beach,” Environmental Science and Technology
36, no. 10 (2004): 2742.
27Ibid.
28Given, S., et al., “Regional Public Health Cost Estimates of Contaminated Coastal Waters: A Case Study of Gastroenteritis at Southern California
Beaches,” Environmental Science and Technology 40, no. 16 (2006): 4851.
29Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Media Relations, “Waterborne Diseases Could Cost Over $500 Million Annually in U.S.”
CDC Newsroom, July 14, 2010, www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100714.htm.
30Johns, G.M., et al., “Socioeconomic Study of Reefs in Southeast Florida,” final report, October 19, 2001, revised April 18, 2003,
coastalsocioeconomics.noaa.gov/core/reefs/02-01.pdf.
31 Whitfield, J., “Sewage Casts Pox on Reefs,” Nature, June 18, 2002.
32Austin, J.C., et al., “Healthy Waters, Strong Economy: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem” Brookings Institution (September
2007), at 2, 5, 10, www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs.20070904_gleiecosystem.pdf.
33Leeworthy, V.R., and P.C. Wiley, “Southern California Beach Valuation Project: Economic Value and Impact of Water Quality Change for Long Beach
in Southern California,” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, February 2007.
34 Morgan, C., et al., “Benefits of Water Quality Policies: The Chesapeake Bay,” Ecological Economics 39, no. 2 (November 2001): 271-284.
Printed on recycled paper
© Natural Resources Defense Council June 2013
www.nrdc.org/policy
testing
the waters
23rd Edition
Sources of Beachwater Pollution
Most beach closings and advisories are issued because beachwater monitoring has detected the presence of
pathogens—microscopic organisms from human and animal wastes that pose a threat to human health. Key
contributors of these contaminants include stormwater runoff, untreated or partially treated discharges from
sewage treatment systems, discharges from sanitary sewers and septic systems, and wildlife.
Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff starts as rain or snowmelt. As it washes
over roads, rooftops, parking lots, construction sites,
and lawns, it becomes contaminated with oil and grease,
pesticides, litter, and pollutants from vehicles. On its way to
storm drains, it also can pick up fecal matter from dogs, cats,
pigeons, other urban animals, and even humans. Human
waste may also find its way into storm drain systems from
leaking sewage pipes or from businesses or residences that
have illegally connected their sewage discharge to the storm
drains. Illicit discharges also occur when people empty
holding tanks from recreational vehicles and trailers into
storm drains.
For more
information,
please
contact:
Jon Devine
[email protected]
(202) 289-6868
switchboard.nrdc.org/
blogs/jdevine
The amount of pollution present in urban runoff tends to
correlate with the amount of impervious cover, such as roads,
sidewalks, parking lots, and buildings. A study conducted in
North Carolina found that a watershed that was 22 percent
covered by impervious surfaces had an average fecal coliform
count more than seven times higher than a watershed that
was 7 percent covered by impervious surfaces.1 However,
even in less developed areas, uncontrolled runoff can foul
beaches.
As the population along the U.S. coast grows and
sprawling development continues, more land is converted
to impervious surfaces that deflect rather than absorb falling
rain. More than half of the people in the United States live in
www.nrdc.org/policy
www.facebook.com/nrdc.org
www.twitter.com/nrdc
Treating stormwater before releasing it to surface
waters is desirable, but during periods of heavy rainfall or
snowmelt, the volume of the combined wastewater can
become too great for the treatment plant to handle. In such
circumstances, the excess flow is diverted to outfall points
that discharge it—and the pollutants it carries, including raw
sewage, trash, and toxic industrial waste—into the nearest
stream or coastal waterway. This is known as a combined
sewer overflow, or CSO.
CSOs are a major cause of pathogen contamination in
marine and Great Lakes waters near urban areas. In 2002 it
was estimated that some 43,000 CSO events were occurring
per year nationwide, discharging 850 billion gallons of raw
sewage and stormwater annually. Although an EPA policy
that aims to reduce these overflows has been in effect since
1994, virtually all combined sewer systems continue to
overflow in storms. A significant number of communities
with CSOs still have not submitted plans for controlling them,
and even where plans are in place, it will be years before they
are fully implemented.
Sanitary Sewer Overflows and Discharges
from Sewer Line Breaks
coastal counties, which occupy only 17 percent of the nation’s
land mass (excluding Alaska). Between 1970 and 2010, the
coastal population grew by 50.9 million, and it is expected to
increase by nearly 15 million by 2020.2 At the current rate, by
2025 more than one-fourth of all of our coastal acreage will
be developed.3
Human Waste from Sewage Systems
Sewage overflows from aging sanitary and combined sewer
systems, leaking sewage pipes, and malfunctioning sewage
treatment plants and pump stations have always been a
major cause of pollution at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes
beaches. Malfunctions at a wastewater plant can quickly spill
millions of gallons of partially treated sewage into coastal
waters and result in no-swimming advisories along miles
of beaches. In Florida’s Miami-Dade County, for instance,
at least 65 ruptures spewed more than 47 million gallons of
untreated human waste into county waterways and streets
from 2009 to 2011.4 Fixing these aging and malfunctioning
sewage systems comes at a hefty cost. Repairing and
rebuilding its wastewater and stormwater systems could
cost Miami-Dade County more than $12 billion over the
next 15 years.5 On the national level, it is estimated that $298
billion in capital investments will be needed to repair our
wastewater and stormwater systems over the next 20 years.6
Combined Sewer Overflows
Combined sewer systems, concentrated in the Great Lakes
region and the northeastern United States, carry both raw
sewage from residences and industrial sites and stormwater
runoff from streets to sewage treatment plants. Although
they are most prevalent in urban areas, combined sewer
systems serve around 40 million people in 772 communities
nationwide.7
Sanitary sewer systems carry human and industrial waste
from buildings to sewage treatment plants for treatment.
These sewer systems can discharge untreated sewage when
the treatment plants malfunction or are overwhelmed or
when sewer lines break, posing a threat to bathing beach
safety. Separate sanitary sewers serve approximately 164
million people nationwide.9
Although most of these systems were built more
recently than combined sewer systems, they are aging and
deteriorating rapidly. A nationwide survey of 42 treatment
plants found some system components that have been in
use for as long as 117 years; the average is 33 years.10 As
populations and sewer loads increase and rehabilitation and
maintenance schedules lag, pipes can deteriorate and break,
spilling sewage directly onto streets or into waterways.
The EPA has estimated that 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary
sewer overflows (SSOs) occur annually, discharging a total of
3 billion to 10 billion gallons per year. Nearly 70 percent of
sewage overflows from lines carrying human waste are due
to obstructions such as tree roots or grease clogs, line breaks,
and mechanical failures.11
Wet weather places demands on sanitary sewer systems
even though these systems do not carry stormwater runoff.
Rainwater can enter the system by seeping through manholes
and by falling onto the surface of the treatment units during
rain events; this can lead to the discharge of raw sewage from
manholes, overflowing pipes, and treatment plant bypasses.
According to an EPA report, although only 26 percent of
sanitary sewer overflows nationwide were caused by wet
weather events and related inflow and infiltration between
January 2001 and December 2003, these events accounted for
nearly 75 percent of the total SSO volume discharged.12
In January 2001, the EPA proposed SSO regulations that
would have required improved capacity, operation, and
maintenance as well as public notification when overflows
occur. The Bush administration shelved this initiative, but the
Obama administration’s EPA announced in June 2010 that
it would consider a suite of actions to address SSOs. During
several “listening sessions,” participants encouraged EPA to
update regulations with respect to SSOs. However, staff and
budget limitations kept the EPA from doing so.13
Inadequately Treated Sewage
Sewage plants near coastal waters tend to serve densely
populated, rapidly growing urban areas. When too many
homes and businesses are hooked up to a sewage treatment
plant, the plant is prone to more frequent bypasses and
inadequate treatment. Moreover, sewage treatment plants
can and do malfunction as the result of human error, failure
of old equipment, or unusual conditions in the raw sewage.
When that happens, raw or partially treated sewage may be
discharged into coastal waterways and their tributaries. Some
sewage systems also bypass all or a portion of their treatment
plants when flows exceed capacity during rain events.
Human Sewage from Septic
Systems and Boating Waste
Septic Systems
About one-third of new construction and 23 percent of U.S.
dwellings overall use some kind of septic tank or on-site
waste disposal system.14 If not sited, built, and maintained
properly, septic systems near the coast can leach wastewater
into recreational waters, contaminating bathing beaches.
Malfunctioning septic systems at just a few nearshore
properties can result in beachwater contamination that is
significant enough to trigger a beach closure. Even when
a failing septic system is located inland, runoff can carry
bacteria into streams that empty into recreational waters.
Unfortunately, homeowners often do not adequately
maintain their septic systems. Studies reviewed by the EPA
cited failure rates of 10 percent to 20 percent.15 Despite this,
there is no federal regulatory program to control waste from
septic systems, and local governments and states rarely
inspect these systems sufficiently to prevent failures.
Boating Waste
Marinas are generally located in areas that are naturally
sheltered or where a breakwater has been constructed. This
shelter results in reduced circulation of clean water around
the docks, which allows boating waste to accumulate and
pose a serious health threat. Waste may also be discharged
improperly from boats that are in use, posing a health and
aesthetic threat to bathing beaches.
Federal law requires boats with onboard toilets either
to treat the waste with chemicals before discharging it or
to hold the waste and later pump it out into a sewage
treatment plant. Also, the federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA)
of 1992 provides federal grant money to states for building
pump-out and dump stations in marinas so boaters can
dispose of human waste in an environmentally sound
manner. However, a government watchdog report from
2004 found limited oversight of the adequacy of pump-out
facilities in many areas.16
Agricultural Discharges
and Agricultural Runoff
Agricultural pollution affects nearly 40 percent of the
country’s tainted rivers and streams.17 The production of farm
animals has increasingly shifted toward huge, industrial-scale
operations where large numbers of animals are confined
together. These concentrated animal feeding operations
(CAFOs) can produce vast quantities of manure that far
exceed the assimilation capacity of crops and pastures.
Runoff from farms and animal feeding operations may
contain high concentrations of pathogenic animal waste.
Climate Change and Its Effect
on Water Quality
Beachwater quality is generally adversely affected by
increased rainfall. Scientists agree that in many regions of
the United States, climate change will increase the frequency
and magnitude of rain and large storms; will cause more
runoff, coastal flooding, and coastal erosion; and will bring
warmer water and air temperatures. These changes will
exacerbate the existing causes of beachwater pollution that
threaten public health. In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change found that “[w]aterborne diseases and
degraded water quality are very likely to increase with more
heavy precipitation.”18
In particular, global climate change is expected to increase
the amount of rainfall in some regions where combined
sewer systems are concentrated. In the Great Lakes region,
climate modeling predicts that the regional average annual
CSO frequency between 2060 and 2099 will increase by 13
percent to 70 percent.19
Even in areas that have separate sewer systems, like much
of the West, an increase in extreme rainfall events can lead
to more pollution in coastal waters via increased stormwater
runoff. For instance, in California, warmer temperatures can
mean more winter precipitation that falls as rain and less
that falls as snow, leading to more winter runoff. More winter
runoff over saturated soils will result in larger sediment flows
and more bacteria in beachwater.
In the Great Lakes region, warmer temperatures can lead
to another source of pollution: algal blooms. Cladophora,
a green alga that grows on the bottom of the Great Lakes,
thrives in warmer temperatures.20 Filter-feeding invasive
species, such as quagga mussels, also contribute to the
proliferation of algae by clearing the normally murky waters
of phytoplankton and other microorganisms. Sunlight
that is able to penetrate to the lake floor encourages the
growth of large mats of algae.21 These foul-smelling mats
can break free and eventually accumulate on beaches,
becoming breeding grounds for E. coli and enterococci.22
As temperatures increase, the Great Lakes states are seeing
an abundance of algae growth and subsequent beach
closings earlier in the year.23
Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from stormwater
runoff, agricultural runoff, water treatment plants, and CSOs
also spur the growth of algae. Large, harmful algal blooms
(HAB), such as blooms of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae),
produce toxins that accumulate in the body and pose a
health threat to humans and wildlife.24 Acute exposure to
the hepatotoxin microcystin can lead to skin irritation and
gastrointestinal illness while chronic exposure can result in
increased liver disease and even death.25
Beachgoers
In the 2005 study “Outbreaks Associated With Recreational
Water in the United States,” researchers found that
bathers themselves are an important localized source of
contamination leading to illness outbreaks.26 All swimmers
release fecal organisms when they enter the water in a
process called bather shedding. Fecal accidents are also a
source of pathogens, as are diaper-aged children if care isn’t
taken to ensure that their wastes are kept from entering the
water. The presence of E. coli and coliform bacteria has been
shown to correlate with the number of visitors and periods of
high recreational use (generally the summer and weekends).27
Wildlife and Pet Waste
Municipalities sometimes list waterfowl as the cause of
beach closings or advisories. During migration season,
excessive populations of waterfowl can gather at beaches
or in suburban areas where their waste can be carried by
runoff into recreational waters. Pet waste deposited on
or near the beach also contains pathogens that can wind
up in beachwater when pet owners do not pick up and
properly dispose of it. The fecal matter from these animals
can overload the capacity of a beach to absorb wastes,
particularly if there is no vegetation around the beach.
Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution
Although not monitored as part of the BEACH Act, solid
waste, particularly plastic items, can heavily affect
beaches and beachwater quality. Waste litters the landscape,
and much of it ends up on our shores and in our lakes, rivers,
and oceans, where it kills marine life, poses navigational
hazards, and impacts local economies and potentially human
health. While marine debris includes a range of man-made
waste, the vast majority of marine debris is plastic.28 NRDC
is leading an effort to craft and implement extended producer
responsibility programs that would help to reduce plastic
pollution29 by incentivizing the use of less plastic packaging
or the design of more recyclable packaging, improving
recycling infrastructure, and generating support for activities
that prevent plastic waste from polluting our oceans and
beaches.
Endnotes
1
Mallin, Michael A., “Wading in Waste,” Scientific American, June 2006, 53–59, www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=wading-in-waste.
2NOAA-National Ocean Service, “National Coastal Population Report, Population Trends from 1970 to 2020,” March 2013, 10, stateofthecoast.noaa.
gov/features/coastal-population-report.pdf.
3Beach, Dana, “Coastal Sprawl—The Effects of Urban Design on Aquatic Ecosystems in the United States,” Pew Ocean Commission, 2002, www.
pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Protecting_ocean_life/env_pew_oceans_sprawl.pdf.
4Rabin, Charles, and Morgan, Curtis, “Miami-Dade’s Leaky Pipes: More Than 47 Million Gallons of Waste Spilled in Past Two Years,” The Palm
Beach Post, May 15, 2012, www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional/miami-dades-leaky-pipes-more-than-47-million-gal-1/nN6YQ/.
5Rabin, Charles, “New Long-Term Bill for Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Repairs Could Top $12 Billion,” The Miami Herald, September 17, 2012,
www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/17/3007247/new-long-term-bill-for-miami-dade.html#storylink=misearch.
6
American Society of Civil Engineers, “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure,” 2013, www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/home.
7
U.S. EPA, "Combine Sewer Overflows Demographics," http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/cso/demo.cfm?program_id=5.
8
EPA, Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs, 5-14, www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/csossoRTC2004_chapter05.pdf.
9
EPA, Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs, 4-22, www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/csossoRTC2004_chapter04.pdf.
10 EPA, Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs, 2-1, www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/csossoRTC2004_chapter02.pdf.
11EPA, Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs, 4-25 to 4-27, www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/csossoRTC2004_chapter04.pdf.
12Ibid., 4-27.
13 California Water Environment Association, “EPA SSO Workshop Planned for July,” wp.cwea.org/?p=4047.
14EPA, Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual, February 2002, EPA/625/R-00/008, at 1-4 and 1-6, www.epa.gov/owm/septic/ pubs/
septic_2002_osdm_all.pdf.
15Ibid.
16U.S. General Accounting Office, “Water Quality: Program Enhancements Would Better Ensure Adequacy of Boat Pumpout Facilities in NoDischarge Zones,” GAO-04-613, May 2004, www.gao.gov/ assets/250/242582.pdf.
17EPA, “National Water Quality Inventory: Report to Congress,” 2004 Reporting Cycle, EPA 841-R-08-001, January 2009, 12, water.epa.gov/lawsregs/
guidance/cwa/305b/.
18Field, C.B., et al., “Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assesment Report
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” M.L. Parry, et al., Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK (2007): 617-652, www.
ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter14.pdf.
19EPA, “A Screening Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Mitigation in the Great Lakes and
New England Regions,” EPA/600/R-07/033F, February 2008, 19, cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=188306.
20Bienkowski, Brian, “Using Spring Temperatures to Predict Summer Slime,” Great Lakes Echo, May 1, 2012, greatlakesecho.org/2012/05/01/usingspring-temperatures-to-predict-summer-slime/.
21Hinderer, Julie M., and Michael W. Murray, “Feast and Famine in the Great Lakes: How Nutrients and Invasive Species Interact to Overwhelm the
Coasts and Starve Offshore Waters,” National Wildlife Federation, 2011, www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Regional/Great-Lakes/GreatLakes-Feast-andFamine-Nutrient-Report.ashx.
22USGS Great Lakes Science Center, “Algal (Cladophora) Mats Harbor High Concentrations of Indicator Bacteria and Pathogens,” GLSC Fact Sheet
2009-1, 2009, greatlakesbeaches.usgs.gov/publications/2009-1%20Cladophora.pdf.
23 Bienkowski, op. cit.
24Erdner, Deana L., et al., “Centers for Ocean and Human Health: A Unified Approach to the Challenge of Harmful Algal Blooms,” Environmental
Health 7 (Suppl 2):S2 (2008), www.ehjournal.net/content/7/ S2/S2.
25 Hinderer and Murray, op. cit.
26Craun, Gunther F., Calderon, Rebecca L., and Craun, Michael F., “Outbreaks Associated with Recreational Water in the United States,” International
Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15, No. 4 (August 2005): 243–262.
27McDonald, A.T., Chapman, P.J., and Fukasawa, K., “The Microbial Status of Natural Waters in a Protected Wilderness Area,” Journal of
Environmental Management 87, No. 4 (June 2008): 600–608, www.ericjlee.com/Articles/Microbes%20in%20Wilderness.pdf.
28From White Paper: Gregory and Ryan, 1997; Derraik, 2002; Barnes et al., 2009) (Barnes et al., 2009; OSPAR, 2007. From OPC study: R.C.
Thompson et al., “Lost at Sea: Where Is All the Plastic?” Science 2004, 304:838; D.K.A. Barnes et al. “Drifting Plastic and Its Consequences for
Sessile Organisms Dispersal in the Atlantic Ocean, Mar. Biol. 146 (4 (2005): 815-835; Lorena M. Rios, et al., “Persistent Organic Pollutants Carried
by Synthetic Polymers in the Ocean Environment,” Mar. Pollut. Bull. 54 (2007): 1230-1237.
29 http://www.nrdc.org/oceans/plastic-ocean/.
Printed on recycled paper
© Natural Resources Defense Council June 2013
www.nrdc.org/policy
State Summary: Alabama
Ranked 18th in Beachwater Quality (out of 30 states)
8% of samples exceeded national standards for designated beach areas in 2012
Protecting swimmers from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants in beachwater requires
leadership. Federal officials must help clean up polluted stormwater runoff—the most commonly
identified cause of beach closings and swimming advisories—by developing national rules that
require pollution sources to prevent stormwater where it starts by retaining it on-site.
The Environmental Protection Agency must also set beachwater quality standards protective of
human health and provide states with the support they need to monitor beach pollution and notify the
public when pollution levels are high.
Alabama 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary
Reported Sources of Beachwater Contamination
(number of closing/advisory days)

21 (100%) unknown contamination sources
Alabama has 97 coastal beaches stretching along 50 miles of the Gulf of Mexico coast and 70 miles
of bay and island shoreline. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
administers the state's beachwater quality monitoring program.
What Are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in
Alabama?
BP Oil Disaster Continued to Affect Alabama's Beaches in 2012
Alabama's beaches were impacted by the BP oil disaster that began on April 20, 2010, with the
explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Oil flowed from the damaged well for nearly three months,
until it was capped on July 15, 2010. Although all oil spill advisories in Alabama were lifted by the
end of July 2010, shoreline contamination assessment teams continued to conduct cleanup activities
on a daily basis, and warning signs were posted at all of Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches throughout
2011 and into 2012 because of the occasional presence of tar mats and tar balls from the spill. To
the naked eye, many beaches may appear to be free of tar balls on any given day. However, storms
cause sand to move and the beach can turn over quickly, exposing tar balls that have been buried
under clean sand.
What Does Beachwater Monitoring Show?1
In 2012, Alabama reported 97 coastal beaches. Of these, 8 (8%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of more than once a week, 12 (12%) once a week, and 5 (5%) every other week; 72
(74%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 8% of all reported beach monitoring
samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 104 colonies/100 ml. The
beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012 were
Volanta Avenue (18%) and Spanish Cove (18%) in Baldwin County; Dog River, Alba Club in Mobile
County (17%); and Kee Avenue (16%) and Mary Ann Nelson Beach in Baldwin County (15%).
Mobile County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (10%),
followed by Baldwin (7%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging)
when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and
samples taken outside the official beach season, if any.
What Are Alabama's Sampling Practices?
Monitoring is conducted throughout the year, with more frequent monitoring from May to September.
ADEM, along with the Alabama Department of Public Health and U.S. EPA, determines sampling
practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices throughout the state.
Samples are collected 6 to 12 inches below the surface, usually in knee-deep water. Whether a
beach is monitored and how frequently it is monitored are determined using a quantitative ranking
scheme that weighs the amount of use, the potential for contamination from nearby sources, and
other important factors such as high use by the elderly or the very young.
Once an exceedance is reported, samples are collected daily until the standard is met.2 States that
monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found will tend to have higher percent exceedance
rates and lower total advisory days than they would if their sampling schedule did not increase after
an exceedance was found.
How Many Beach Closings and Advisories Were Issued in 2012?3
Total advisory days for 15 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 16% to 21 days in
2012 from 25 days in 2011. In prior years, there were 195 days in 2010 (including beach advisories
due to the Gulf oil spill), 34 in 2009, and 14 days in 2008. There were no extended or permanent
events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13
consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. All advisory
days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
How Does Alabama Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Alabama does not issue beach closings; the state's policy is to issue advisories only. Advisories are
posted on the ADEM website, and signage at the beach.
An enterococcus single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100ml is the standard used to issue beach
advisories in Alabama. No geometric mean standard is applied when making advisory decisions.
Beaches are given green status when sampling results meet the standard. When sample results
exceed the standard, the status changes to yellow; this indicates that there may be an increased risk
of illness associated with swimming in such water, and that the beach is being immediately retested.
When a sample exceeds the standard, there are no overriding factors that can be taken into account
before converting to yellow status. If a resample, taken the next day, also exceeds the standard, a
public health advisory (red status) is issued. A red status indicates that repeated tests show bacteria
level exceed the standard and swimming in the water may increase the risk of illness.
There are no standards that mandate preemptive advisories in response to rainfall or sewage spills,
but full-scale advisories for all sites have been issued by the county and state health departments
after hurricanes and during the 2010 BP oil disaster.
Alabama 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Baldwin
5th Street Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
6th Street Access
no
none
0
0%
0
-
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
data
Baldwin
7th Street Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
10th Street Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
13th Street Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Alabama Point (Gulf of
Mexico)
2
1/week
28
0%
0
view
Baldwin
Alabama Point (Perdido
Pass)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Anderson Street
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Barklay Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Battles Rd
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bay Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bay Front Park (Daphne)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bay Side Drive
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bayou Drive
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bear Point Civic
Association
3
2/month
18
6%
0
view
Baldwin
Belrose Ave. Daphne
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bernard Court
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Boggy Point
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Bon Secour National
Wildlife Refuge
3
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Baldwin
Boykin Street Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Buchanan Street Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin Cabana Beach Association
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Camp Baldwin
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Baldwin
Camp Beckwith
1
2/week
59
5%
0
view
Baldwin
Camp Dixie
1
2/week
51
6%
1
view
Baldwin
Cedar St.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Cedar St. E
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Choctaw Road North
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Cotton Bayou
1
2/week
51
2%
0
view
Baldwin
Cypress Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Escambia Avenue
3
2/month
18
6%
0
view
Baldwin
Fairhope Public Beach
1
2/week
60
12%
6
view
Baldwin
Fish Trap Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Florida Point
1
2/week
50
0%
0
view
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin Fort Morgan National Park
Baldwin
Fort Morgan Public Beach
3
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Baldwin
Gore Road
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Gulf Coast Remainder
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Gulf Shores Public Beach
1
2/week
50
0%
0
view
Baldwin
Gulf State Park - Pavilion
1
2/week
50
0%
0
view
Baldwin
Haupt Road
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Holly Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Josaphine Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Kee Avenue
2
1/week
61
16%
0
view
Baldwin
KOA Campground
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Lafite Road
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Laine Court Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Little Lagoon Pass Beach
2
1/week
28
0%
0
view
Baldwin
Live Oak
no
none
0
0%
0
-
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
data
Baldwin
Marjon Lane
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Mary Ann Nelson Beach
3
2/month
20
15%
1
view
Baldwin
May Day Park
2
1/week
39
13%
2
view
Baldwin
Mcdonald Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Mobile Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Montgomery Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Morgantown Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Mullet Dr.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Murphy Lane
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
N. Mobile St/Perdido Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Navy Cove
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
North Road
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Oak St. #91
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Orange Beach Waterfront
Park
2
1/week
32
9%
0
view
Baldwin
Orange Street Pier/Beach
2
1/week
35
11%
1
view
Baldwin
Our Road
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Palmetto Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Pellican Pt.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Pensacola Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Perdido Bay Rec. Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Pinewood Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Pirate's Cove
1
2/week
54
9%
1
view
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Baldwin
Ponce De Leon Annex
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Ponce De Leon Court Lot
35
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
50
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
51
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Ponce De Leon Dr Access
East
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Ponce De Leon Dr Public
Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Randolf Rd.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Rester St.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Romar Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Sea Cliff Dr.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Seabright Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Sibley St/Steadmans
Landing
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
South Wilson Blvd
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Spanish Cove
2
1/week
34
18%
2
view
Baldwin
Sunset Dr.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Village Pt. Foundation
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Volanta Avenue
2
1/week
44
18%
2
view
Baldwin
Wolf Bay Lodge
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Wydell St.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Yupon Ave.
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Baldwin
Zundall Lane
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mobile
Bay Front Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Mobile
Dauphin Island East End
2
1/week
28
11%
0
view
Mobile
Dauphin Island Public
Beach
2
1/week
28
0%
0
view
Mobile
Dog River, Alba Club
2
1/week
36
17%
5
view
Mobile
Fowl River @ HW 193
2
1/week
32
9%
0
view
NOTE: Data and state-specific information for this summary were collected from U.S. EPA, direct
conversations with beach managers in the state, state grant reports to U.S. EPA for BEACH Act
funding, and the state water quality website. The information in this state summary reflects current
data as of June 7, 2013.
1. If the 2012 percent exceedance values in this summary don't match, why not? The value at the
top of the page reflects the proportion of samples exceeding the national single-sample
maximum standard for designated beach areas. The values in the "What Does Beach
Monitoring Show?" section reflect the proportion of samples exceeding the state standard,
which in some states is more or less stringent than the national designated beach standard.
Additionally, only samples from a common set of beaches monitored each year from 2008-2012
are included in the bar chart. Because some beaches were not monitored in each of those
years, the percent exceedance for this subset of beaches may not have the same value as the
percent exceedance for all of the beaches monitored in 2012.
2. Year-to-year changes in closing/advisory days should not necessarily be interpreted as an
indication of the level of bacterial contamination. In some states and localities, the number of
beaches and/or beach monitoring frequency may not be consistent from one year to the next,
and beaches may be closed or under a swimming advisory for reasons other than known or
suspected bacterial contamination. Other reasons include, but are not limited to, chemical/oil
spills, medical waste washing up on shore, dangerous currents, lack of lifeguards, etc. In
addition, because NRDC's totals of closing/advisory events focus on those events lasting six
consecutive weeks or less, those tallies do not account for longer-duration closings or
advisories. For trends in water quality, please refer to NRDC's year-to-year comparison of
percent exceedance rates of state water quality standards.
State Summary: Alaska
Alaska 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary
Alaska has nearly 44,000 miles of coastal shoreline, 14,000 miles of which are actively managed.
Although cold water temperatures discourage swimming, recreational shoreline activities such as
fishing, kayaking, and beachcombing are quite popular. The Alaska Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) administers the state's beachwater quality program and has identified more
than 200 recreational beaches. In 2003, Alaska conducted a survey of municipalities across the
state and designated 203 marine locations as recreational beaches. Of these 203 recreational
beaches, 46 are considered to be at higher risk for water quality concerns. In 2012, the DEC
selected a subset of 26 beaches to monitor. These beaches were chosen according to whether DEC
had ongoing concerns about the location, because monitoring had not previously occurred, or
because there was particular interest by a community in conducting beach water quality monitoring.
What Does Beachwater Monitoring Show?
In 2012, Alaska reported 26 coastal beaches, 9 (35%) of which were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week, and 17 (65%) of which were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In
2012, 2% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded either the state's daily maximum
enterococcus standard of 276 colonies/100 ml, the state's daily maximum fecal coliform standard of
200 cfu/100 ml, or both. The only monitored beaches with exceedances in 2012 were South Kenai
Beach (11%) and North Kenai Beach (6%), both on the Kenai Peninsula. NRDC considers all
reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in
this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season,
if any.
There were no beaches monitored every year between 2008 and 2012, so a year-to-year
comparison of percent exeedance rates is not possible.
What Are Alaska's Sampling Practices?1
The Alaska DEC looks for several different indicator bacteria: enterococcus, total coliform, andE.
coli or fecal coliform. Sampling practices are uniform throughout the state. Samples are collected 12
inches below the surface in water that is 3 feet deep. Alaska has identified 14 recreational beaches
in six communities that were of concern due to potential sources of bacterial contamination. These
high-priority beaches are the focus of Alaska's beach monitoring program. Eleven of the 14 highpriority beaches in four of the six communities participated in the beach monitoring program in 2012.
Cities that choose to participate in the monitoring program are encouraged to sample during the
summer season. In 2012, beaches in Haines (Lutak Inlet and Portage Cove) were monitored
between May 1 and August 29. Beaches in Homer (Anchor Beach, Bishop's Beach, and Whisky
Gulch) were monitored weekly between April 25 and June 24. Beaches in Juneau (Auke Recreation
Area, Lena Cove Beach, and Ann Coleman Beach) were monitored from May 25 to August 20.
Beaches in Kenai (North Kenai Beach, South Kenai Beach, and Warren Ames Bridge) were sampled
from June 25 to August 12.
How Many Beach Advisories Were issued in 2012?
No beach advisories were issued in 2012.
How Does Alaska Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Alaska's program recommends advisories, not closings, based on water quality results. Water quality
criteria for the monitoring program include criteria for fecal coliform, E. coli and enterococcus. For
fecal coliform results, the geometric mean of a 30-Day period is used. To be compliant with state
guidance, five samples may not exceed a geometric mean of 100 cfu /100 ml, and no more than one
sample, or 10% of samples if there are more than 10 samples, may exceed 200 cfu fecal
coliform/100 ml. The enterococcus single-sample maximum is 276 cfu/100 ml, and there is also an
enterococcus geometric mean standard for five samples collected within 30 days of 35 cfu/100 ml.
The enterococcus standards match the EPA criteria for full-body-contact recreation in lightly used
marine waters. Alaska does not have an E. coli standard, but field-based analysis methods for
quantifying E. coli can be used as a stand-in for analysis methods for quantifying fecal coliform in
remote locations. In such cases, the fecal coliform standard would be applied to E. coli results.
If a sample exceeds standards, re-sampling within 96 hours of the original sampling event is
completed to be sure that the elevated levels of bacteria are still present. If the levels are still high,
there is a list of protocols for issuing a beach water-quality advisory and press release. Additionally,
signs and fact sheets are placed at key public access locations. Signage stays posted until a sample
below water quality standards is received.
While the state encourages participating municipalities to issue an advisory when a re-sampling
event confirms that water quality does not meet state standards, the authority for issuing advisories
is delegated to the local governments that choose to participate in the program, and these local
governments do not always issue advisories when follow-up sampling confirms exceedances. For
example, elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria were found in consecutive samples in July 2010
at North Kenai Beach and in July 2011 at South Kenai Beach, but no advisories were issued.
Alaska 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
0%
0
view
0
0%
0
view
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snag Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Haines
Letnikof Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Haines
Lutak Inlet in Haines
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Haines
Portage Cove in Haines
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Juneau
Ann Coleman Road Beach in
Juneau
3
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Juneau
Auke Recreation Area Beach in
Juneau
3
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Juneau
Harris and Aurora Harbors
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Juneau
Lena Cove Beach in Juneau
3
none
20
0%
0
view
Juneau
Sandy Beach 5, Douglas
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
Anchor Point to Happy Valley
Creek (Whiskey Gulch) in
Homer
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
Bishop's Beach in Homer
3
1/week
8
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
Homer Spit -- Land's End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
Homer Spit -- Mariner Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
North Kasilof Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
North Kenai Beach
3
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
South Kenai Beach
3
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
Warren Ames Bridge in Kenai
3
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Kenai
Peninsula
Whisky Bill Beach
3
1/week
8
0%
0
view
No Data
Sandy Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nome
West Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County
Beach
Bristol Bay
Kanakanak Beach in Dillingham
1
none
0
Bristol Bay
King Salmon Beach (No.
Naknek)
1
none
Bristol Bay
Naknek River
3
Bristol Bay
Scandinavian Beach
Bristol Bay
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Wrangell
City Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Wrangell
Petroglyph Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: California
California 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

5,056 (92%) unknown contamination sources

250 (5%) sewage spills/leaks

209 (4%) stormwater runoff
California has more than 430 beaches along more than 700 miles of coastline on the Pacific Ocean
and San Francisco Bay. Historically, the California Department of Health Services administered the
BEACH Act grant. Starting in 2012, the California State Water Resources Control Board provided $1
million in funding and began administering the state's beach monitoring program. It also administers
the BEACH Act grant.
California?
Curbing Pollution from Dry-Weather Runoff
In urban areas during dry weather, runoff can occur as a result of landscape irrigation, draining of
swimming pools, car washing, and various commercial activities. Along the coast of California,
where summers are dry, dry-weather runoff is the most common cause of advisories issued due to
elevated bacteria levels. For some parts of Santa Monica Bay, sending dry-weather runoff to sewage
treatment plants has improved beachwater quality. In this densely populated area, more than 20 lowflow diversion facilities have been constructed to route dry-weather runoff through sanitary sewage
treatment after trash and debris have been screened out. These plants are not able to treat the huge
volume of runoff that is generated during storms, but they do have the capacity to treat the relatively
smaller volume of dry-weather runoff. Due to these diversion projects and other efforts, water quality
has improved at the Santa Monica Canyon monitoring station at Santa Monica State Beach, though
challenges remain. At this station, 37% of samples taken from 2006 to 2009 exceeded state
standards, but exceedances dropped to 23% in 2010, 22% in 2011, and 10% in 2012.
In 2012, Los Angeles completed the last phase of a $40 million-plus dry-weather runoff diversion
project that diverts eight storm drains along the Pacific Coast Highway into a sanitary sewer system
and to the Hyperion Treatment Plant.
Same-Day Notification Studies
Currently approved methods for determining levels of fecal indicator bacteria in beachwater depend
on growth of bacteria colonies in cultures that take 18 to 96 hours to produce results. Because of this
delay, swimmers generally do not know until the at least the next day if the water they swam in was
contaminated. The delay also means that beaches may remain closed or posted after water quality
has improved.
Fortunately, new technologies that can provide same-day beachwater quality results are now
available. During the summer of 2010, a rapid bacterial measurement demonstration project was
conducted at nine locations at Huntington State Beach, Newport Beach, and Doheny State Beach,
all in Orange County. This demonstration project used quantitative polymerase chain reaction
(qPCR), a method that targets genetic sequences found in enterococcus bacteria, allowing public
health officials to issue the nation's first-ever same-day warnings for poor beachwater quality by
noon on the day water samples were collected.
The city of Los Angeles undertook a similar project at several Los Angeles County beaches in the
summer of 2011. This study was a cooperative effort among the city's Environmental Monitoring
Division, the county's Department of Public Health and Department of Public Works, and the
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP). Eight sampling stations were
included in the project: Inner Cabrillo Beach, Surfrider Beach, Topanga State Beach, Santa Monica
Canyon at Santa Monica State Beach, Mothers' Beach, the Ballona Creek outfall at Dockweiler State
Beach, Redondo Pier at Redondo Beach, and the Los Angeles River estuary boat launch just north
of the Queensway Bridge (this location is not a beach). After reviewing the data from this effort,
which showed some disagreement between qPCR results and culture-based results, the project
team decided that additional studies needed to be conducted before qPCR results could be used as
the basis for same-day water quality notifications at Los Angeles County beaches. Additional studies
were completed during the summer of 2012 to help determine the reason for the discrepancies;
results have not yet been released.
Bacterial Pollution Reductions Required in Long Beach
In March 2012, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs)—which are cleanup blueprints for specified
waters—were established for bacteria at beaches in Long Beach and in the Los Angeles River
estuary, which meets the ocean in Long Beach. These cleanups will reduce fecal contamination of
beaches in Long Beach, protecting the health of tens of thousands of beachgoers each year. Once
they are completed, it is expected that the average number of days during the swimming season that
beachwater exceeds fecal indicator bacteria standards will be reduced to zero. In 2012, samples
taken at beaches in Long Beach exceeded the single-sample standard for enterococcus between
6% and 24% of the time.
Predictive Modeling
Researchers at Stanford University and the environmental group Heal the Bay are currently
developing statistical models that will predict beachwater quality. Starting with test models for 25 of
California's most polluted beaches, the models will utilize the history of fecal indicator bacteria
densities and oceanic and atmospheric data such as water temperature, current direction, and wind
speed at each beach. At the sites where models provide an adequate assessment of water quality,
swimmers will be notified of the beach's water quality status more rapidly than they would if
traditional techniques for measuring fecal bacteria were used. The models will also help to assess
pollution trends and will identify the environmental variables with the greatest influence on bacteria
concentrations. Researchers are now halfway through this two-year project, and the efficacy of the
models to predict water quality will be evaluated this summer and fall.
Trash Pollution
Although not monitored as part of the BEACH Act, trash and debris can heavily affect California
beaches. Waste litters the landscape, and much of it ends up in our oceans where it kills marine life,
poses navigational hazards, and impacts local economies and human health. Marine debris includes
a range of manmade waste, the vast majority of marine debris is plastic. NRDC is also working to
advance extended producer responsibility legislation that would help to reduce plastic pollution at its
source by incentivizing the design of less plastic packaging or more recyclable plastic packaging,
improving recycling infrastructure throughout the state, and generating support for activities that
prevent plastic waste from polluting our oceans and beaches. NRDC is also working with a number
of state agencies to support their marine litter control work.
The California State Water Resources Control Board is developing amendments to statewide water
quality control plans (Trash Amendments) to reduce trash pollution at California beaches. Currently,
they are meeting with stakeholders and preparing a draft staff report and a Substitute Environmental
Document (SED) for the Trash Amendments. The draft staff report and SED will be released for
public review and comment this summer. This policy would build upon experience with the trash
clean up plans established in Los Angeles, and it would identify trash as a separate pollutant to be
controlled statewide. In its current Strategic Plan, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) has
prioritized activities to reduce the source of marine debris, especially plastic waste. OPC and the
Water Board are also beginning to coordinate with CalRecycle to enhance waste management and
recycling activities that play an important part in controlling marine litter.
In 2012, California reported 715 coastal beaches and beach segments, of which 66 (9%) were
assigned a monitoring frequency of more than once a week, 331 (46%) once a week, 66 (9%) every
other week, 26 (4%) once a month, and 15 (2%) less than once a month; 211 (30%) were not
assigned a monitoring frequency. NRDC considered a sample on a given day at a given beach
station to be an exeedance if any one of California's bacterial standards was exceeded. (Please note
that even if all bacterial standards were exceeded for a sample taken on a given day at a given
station, NRDC counted that as one exceedance. For example, if a sample exceeded the
enterococcus, E. Coli, and total coliform standards for a sample taken on a given day, NRDC
counted that as one exceedance, not three Also note that in determining California's national
beachwater quality ranking, NRDC analyzed results based on the single-sample maximum BEACH
Act standard of 104 cfu/100 ml enterococcus.)
In 2012, 10% of all reported beachwater monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum
bacterial standards. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum
standards in 2012 were Avalon Beach 50 feet west of the Green Pleasure Pier in Los Angeles
County (83%), Poche County Beach in Orange County (67%), Aquatic Park (63%) and Pillar PointCapistrano (52%) in San Mateo County, and Avalon Beach east of the Casino Arch at the steps in
Los Angeles County (50%). Contra Costa County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily
maximum standards in 2012 (17%), followed by San Mateo (16%), Los Angeles (16%), San
Francisco (15%), Humboldt (12%), Santa Cruz (11%), Alameda (10%), Orange (9%), Monterey
(8%), San Luis Obispo (7%), Santa Barbara (7%), San Diego (4%), Ventura (4%), Marin (3%),
Mendocino (2%), and Sonoma (2%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without
averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate
samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if any.
What Are California's Sampling Practices?
Beachwater quality monitoring in California occurs from no later than April 1 until October 31, with
most beaches in Southern California and in Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties
monitored year-round. Statewide, more than 27,000 samples were collected in 2012.
Some counties in California conduct beachwater quality monitoring and issue advisories year-round;
these include Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz,
Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Ventura. Therefore, the data provided in NRDC's analysis for these
counties reflects wet weather and winter monitoring at numerous sites affected by urban runoff,
which results in additional exceedances and longer postings when compared with most other
jurisdictions. Year-round monitoring and posting is a good environmental and public-health practice
that increases the level of protection to those who visit beaches where body-contact recreational
water use occurs throughout the year.
Individual counties determine sampling locations, but sampling depth and minimum sampling
frequency are determined by state law. Most counties sample at more locations and often more
frequently than required by state law. Samples are taken in ankle-deep water. Monitoring locations in
California are selected on the basis of the number of visitors, the location of storm drains, discharge
permit requirements to sample at particular places, and legislative requirements (for instance,
legislation requires the monitoring of all beaches with a flowing storm drain and at least 50,000
visitors annually). The vast majority of beach day use in California occurs at monitored beaches.
Samples are usually collected in areas where possible contamination is most likely. In Los Angeles
County, for example, sampling points are located where creeks or storm drains enter the surf zone;
these are usually permanently posted as being under advisory. Other counties may permanently
post outfalls and sample 25 yards up or down the coast from the outfall to predict further impacts to
beach bathing areas.
Immediate resampling is often conducted after a bacteria advisory (a posting) is issued in order to lift
the posting as soon as possible. States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found
will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they
would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an exceedance was found.
Total closing/advisory days for 1,234 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 5% to
5,515 days in 2012 from 5,794 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 5,756 days in 2010, 2,904
days in 2009, and 4,133 days in 2008. In addition, there were 28 extended events (1,231 days total)
and 5 permanent events (1,069 days total) in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than
six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13
consecutive weeks. For the 1,234 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 92% (5,056) of
closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, 4% (209) were
preemptive due to heavy rainfall, and 5% (250) were preemptive due to known sewage spills or
leaks. This analysis includes all reported county-wide rain advisory events. However, the countywide rain advisories are not represented in the beach-specific California 2012 Monitoring Results
and Closings/Advisory Days table because they are reported only at the county level.
How Does California Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Local health agencies are responsible for issuing beachwater quality advisories and closures. There
are four types of beachwater quality warnings issued: postings, rain advisories, permanent postings,
and closings. Postings that warn swimmers about the potential for illness are issued when a water
sample fails to meet bacterial standards. Rain advisories warn people to avoid swimming in ocean
waters during a rain event and for three days after rainfall ceases. Permanent postings are made at
sites where historic data show that the beachwater generally contains elevated bacteria levels.
Beach closings are generally issued due to sewage spills or other serious health hazards, but local
health officials may also decide to close a beach when more than one standard is exceeded or when
exceedances are far in excess of the standards. This is rare, however, and closings generally are
issued only when it is suspected that sewage is affecting a beach. Beachgoers can access
information about water quality on the California State Water Board's "Is It Safe to Swim?" website.
California employs the following bacterial standards:

For total coliform, the single-sample standard is 1,000 cfu/100 ml if the ratio of fecal/total
coliform bacteria exceeds 0.1. Otherwise, the single-sample standard for total coliform is
10,000 cfu/100 ml. The total coliform geometric mean standard is 1,000 cfu/100 ml, calculated
from at least five equally spaced samples collected in a 30-day period.

For fecal coliform, the single-sample standard is 400 cfu/100 ml and the standard for the
geometric mean of at least five evenly spaced samples collected in a 30-day period is 200
cfu/100 ml. In some jurisdictions, E. Coli is used as a surrogate for fecal coliform; the standard
is the same as for fecal coliform.

For enterococcus, the single-sample standard is 104 cfu/100 ml and the standard for the
geometric mean of at least five equally spaced samples collected in a 30-day period is 35
cfu/100 ml.
Almost all counties monitor for all three organisms (total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus).
Some beach management entities, including Los Angeles and Orange Counties and the city of Long
Beach, post a beach when the single-sample standard of any one of these three indicators is
exceeded. In Marin County, beaches are posted if either the enterococcus or fecal coliform standard
is exceeded, but not when only the total coliform standard is exceeded.
In San Francisco County, the single-sample standard for total coliform is 10,000 cfu/100 ml
regardless of the ratio of fecal coliform to total coliform, and some beaches require confirmation,
either from elevated results at nearby sites, from exceedances of more than one standard, or from
resampling, before a beach is posted. Geometric mean standards are sometimes used to keep a
beach posted after the single-sample maximum has been exceeded but rarely trigger a posting by
themselves. If geometric mean standards are exceeded, the state recommends that additional
sanitary surveys, more frequent sampling, and additional related evaluations be conducted. Unless
adjacent sampling stations exceed water quality standards, notifications are issued for the portion of
the beach that extends 50 yards in either direction of the sampling location where an exceedance is
found. After a posting is issued, samples must meet standards for two days before the beach can be
reopened.
Since 2003, San Diego County has used a predictive model to trigger beach closings at three south
county beaches near the outlet of the Tijuana River. These beaches are Imperial Beach, Coronado
Beach, and Silver Strand State Beach. The model assesses the need for closures based on realtime information about ocean currents and other parameters. Use of the model allows the San Diego
County Department of Environmental Health to make more accurate and timely notifications to
protect the health of beachgoers.
In addition to advisories triggered by indicator exceedances, three-day-long preemptive rain
advisories are automatically issued in five counties (Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, San Diego,
and Santa Cruz) when rainfall exceeds predetermined levels, regardless of bacterial monitoring.
These general advisories affect all beaches in the county. As a general rule, the Los Angeles County
Recreational Waters Program issues a rain advisory when there is 0.1 inch or more of rainfall at the
University of Southern California rain gauge, but this varies depending on factors such as how long it
has been since the last rainfall, how sporadic the rainfall is, and where it is falling. According to the
program, much of the watershed that feeds storm drain flow is in the hills and mountains, where
rainfall levels differ from those at the rain gauge. Orange County issues preemptive countywide rain
advisories that warn of elevated bacteria levels in the ocean for a period of at least 72 hours after
rain events of 0.2 inch or more. San Diego County issues preemptive rain advisories for a period of
up to 72 hours after a rain event of 0.2 inch or more.
Preemptive advisories are also issued for reasons other than rain, such as the presence of
excessive debris. Finally, preemptive closings are issued when there is a known sewage spill or
when sewage is suspected of affecting a beach. Closings are issued immediately upon notification
by the agency responsible for the spill.
California 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Alameda
Alameda Point Encinal Beachmiddle
no
data
1/month
9
11%
2
view
Alameda
Alameda Point Encinal Beach-
no
1/week
34
3%
14
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
north
data
Alameda
Alameda Point Encinal Beachsouth
no
data
1/week
33
3%
14
view
Alameda
Crown Beach, 2001 Shoreline Dr.
no
data
1/week
49
10%
6
view
Alameda
Crown Beach, Bath House
no
data
1/week
48
6%
14
view
Alameda
Crown Beach, Bird Sanctuary
no
data
1/week
51
25%
46
view
Alameda
Crown Beach, Crab Cove
no
data
1/week
50
16%
54
view
Alameda
Crown Beach, Sunset Rd.
no
data
1/week
46
7%
3
view
Alameda
Crown Beach, Windsurfer Corner
no
data
1/week
46
4%
5
view
Contra
Costa
Keller Beach-north
no
data
1/week
49
18%
81
view
Contra
Costa
Keller Beach-south
no
data
1/week
49
16%
57
view
Del Norte
Beachfront Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Clifford Kamph Memorial Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Crescent Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Enderts Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
High Bluff Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Kellogg Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Lake Earl Wildlife Area Beaches
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Pebble Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Pelican Bay State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Point St. George
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Del Norte
Wilson Creek Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Agate Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Baker Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Big Lagoon
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Black Sands Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Carruthers Cove Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Centerville Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Humboldt
Clam Beach Co. Park, Clam
Beach near Strawberry Creek
1
1/week
34
12%
11
view
Humboldt
College Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Crab Co. Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Dead Man's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Dry Lagoon
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Eel River State Wildlife Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Freshwater Lagoon
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Gold Bluffs Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Hidden Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Little Black Sands Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Little River State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Luffenholtz Beach near
Luffenholtz Creek
1
1/week
34
9%
6
view
Humboldt
Mattole River Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Moonstone Beach near Little River
1
1/week
35
14%
12
view
Humboldt
North Mad River Mouth, Clam
Beach near Mad River
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Old Home Beach (formerly Indian
Beach)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Redwood Creek Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Samoa Dunes Rec. Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Shelter Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
South Spit
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Stone Lagoon
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Humboldt
Trinidad Beach near Mill Creek
1
1/week
37
22%
23
view
Los
Angeles
26610 Latigo Shore Dr, Malibu in
front of monitoring well discharge
1
1/week
52
10%
23
view
Los
Angeles
26610 Latigo Shore Dr, Malibu in
front of Trivola Bay Villa treatment
plant
1
1/week
44
5%
6
view
Los
Angeles
Abalone Cove, Rancho Palos
Verdes
no
data
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Alamitos Bay Beach
1
1/week
56
16%
12
view
Los
Angeles
Armarillo Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Los
Angeles
Avalon Beach 50 feet east of the
Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/week
34
38%
43
view
Los
Angeles
Avalon Beach 50 feet west of the
Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/week
35
83%
128
view
Los
Angeles
Avalon Beach 100 feet east of the
Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/week
32
19%
15
view
Los
Angeles
Avalon Beach 100 feet west of the
Green Pleasure Pier
1
1/week
31
35%
40
view
Los
Angeles
Avalon Beach East of the Casino
Arch at the steps
1
1/week
32
50%
68
view
Los
Angeles
Basin H
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Big Rock Beach, Malibu in front of
storm drain
1
1/week
56
9%
6
view
Los
Angeles
Bluff Cove, Palos Verdes Estates
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Broad Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Carbon Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Coral Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Corral Creek, East end of Corral
Beach (Puerco Beach), Malibu
1
1/week
52
8%
4
view
Los
Angeles
Dan Blocker County Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach in front of
Culver Blvd storm drain
1
1/week
50
6%
2
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach in front of
the Imperial Hwy storm drain
1
1/week
50
10%
15
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach just south
of Ballona Creek
1
4/week
180
20%
44
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach, El
Segundo 50 yards south of Grand
Ave extended
1
1/week
51
6%
8
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach, El
Segundo Grand Ave extended
1
1/week
52
10%
2
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach, Playa del
Rey in front of the Beaches and
Harbors maintenance yard
1
1/week
52
2%
2
view
Los
Angeles
Dockweiler State Beach, Playa del
Rey opposite Hyperion Plant, at 1
1
1/week
52
4%
2
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
mile marker
Los
Angeles
El Matador State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
El Pescador State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Escondido Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Hermosa Beach 26th St extended
in front of storm drain
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Hermosa Beach 50 yards south of
the Herosa Beach Pier
1
1/week
50
8%
10
view
Los
Angeles
Inner Cabrillo Beach
1
4/week
249
20%
67
view
Los
Angeles
Inner Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro
in front of lifeguard tower
1
4/week
248
45%
156
view
Los
Angeles
La Costa Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
La Piedra State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Las Flores Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Las Tunas County Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu
50 yards east of Arroyo Sequit
Creek
1
1/week
50
10%
29
view
Los
Angeles
Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu
in front of Arroyo Sequit Creek
1
1/week
52
6%
10
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, 2nd St Bridge &
Bayshore
1
1/week
56
18%
13
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, 5th Place Beach
1
1/week
51
12%
5
view
Los
Angeles
1
1/week
56
20%
8
view
Los
Angeles
1
1/week
52
10%
4
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, 56th Place-On
Bayside
1
1/week
63
24%
17
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, 72nd Place-Beach
1
1/week
52
15%
6
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Colorado LagoonNorth
1
1/month
17
6%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Colorado LagoonSouth
1
2/month
19
11%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Coronado Ave
Beach
1
1/week
56
18%
8
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Granada Ave Beach
1
1/week
53
11%
5
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Molino Ave Beach
1
1/week
53
13%
7
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Mother's Beach
1
1/week
53
17%
11
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, Prospect Ave Beach
1
1/week
57
19%
11
view
Los
Angeles
Long Beach, West side of Belmont
Pier
1
1/week
56
18%
7 (78)
view
Los
Angeles
Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes
no
data
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes
Estates
1
1/week
54
4%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Malibu Lagoon, Malibu in front of
lifeguard tower
1
1/week
52
8%
9
view
Los
Angeles
Malibu Pier, Malibu 50 yards east
of the pier
1
1/week
60
48%
61
view
Los
Angeles
Malibu Point
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Manhattan Beach 28th St
extended in front of storm drain
1
1/week
52
13%
2
view
Los
Angeles
Manhattan Beach 40th Street
extended
1
1/week
50
4%
1
view
Los
Angeles
Manhattan Beach 50 yards south
of 28th St extended, in front of
storm drain
1
1/week
51
10%
7
view
Los
Angeles
Manhattan Beach 50 yards south
of the Manhattan Beach Pier
1
1/week
50
4%
7
view
Los
Angeles
Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey in
front of lifeguard tower
1
4/week
248
17%
47
view
Los
Angeles
Nicholas Canyon County Beach,
Malibu 100 yards west of Nicholas
Creek
1
1/week
50
6%
6
view
Los
Angeles
Nicholas Canyon County Beach,
Malibu in front of Nicholas Creek
1
1/week
52
6%
4
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Los
Angeles
No Name
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Los
Angeles
Outer Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro
1
1/week
54
4%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Palos Verdes Estates Arroyo
Circle extended (Torrance Beach)
1
1/week
50
10%
23
view
Los
Angeles
Paradise Cove, Malibu in front of
Ramirez Creek
1
1/week
56
20%
21
view
Los
Angeles
Portuguese Bend, Rancho Palos
Verdes
1
1/week
54
4%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Puerco Beach, Malibu 50 yards
east of creek
1
1/week
49
4%
9
view
Los
Angeles
Redondo Beach 50 yards north of
the Herondo storm drain
1
1/week
51
10%
2
view
Los
Angeles
Redondo Beach 50 yards south of
the Redondo Beach Pier
1
4/week
249
34%
124
view
Los
Angeles
Redondo Beach at the Herondo
storm drain
1
1/week
53
15%
4
view
Los
Angeles
Redondo Beach Avenue I
extended
1
1/week
50
8%
14
view
Los
Angeles
Redondo Beach Topaz St
extended, north side of jetty
1
1/week
56
18%
25
view
Los
Angeles
Robert Meyer Memorial State
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Santa Monica State Beach 50
yards south of Montana storm
drain
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Santa Monica State Beach 50
yards south of Wilshire storm
drain
1
1/week
51
10%
7
view
Los
Angeles
Santa Monica State Beach at the
Santa Monica Pier
1
4/week
249
26%
97
view
Los
Angeles
Santa Monica State Beach in front
of Ashland storm drain
1
4/week
249
8%
20
view
Los
Angeles
of Montana storm drain
1
1/week
52
10%
16
view
Los
Angeles
of Pico/Kenter storm drain
1
4/week
248
15%
36
view
Los
Angeles
of Santa Monica Canyon storm
drain
1
4/week
248
10%
28
view
Los
1
1/week
55
15%
20
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Angeles
of Wilshire storm drain
Los
Angeles
Santa Monica State Beach Strand
St extended
1
1/week
51
8%
0
view
Los
Angeles
South Topanga State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
South Will Rogers State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Surfrider Beach, Malibu at the
breech or last known breech
1
4/week
246
35%
112
view
Los
Angeles
Topanga County Beach in front of
lifeguard headquarters
1
4/week
248
22%
71
view
Los
Angeles
Topanga State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Trancas Beach (West Zuma
Beach), Malibu 50 yards east of
Trancas Bridge
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Trancas Beach (West Zuma
Beach), Malibu in front of Trancas
Bridge
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Venice City Beach 50 yards south
of Brooks Avenue storm drain
1
1/week
51
6%
7
view
Los
Angeles
Venice City Beach 50 yards south
of Venice Pier
1
1/week
51
4%
14
view
Los
Angeles
Venice City Beach in front of
Brooks Avenue storm drain
1
1/week
52
10%
7
view
Los
Angeles
Venice City Beach in front of
Windward storm drain
1
1/week
50
14%
44
view
Los
Angeles
Venice City Beach Topsail St
extended
1
1/week
53
8%
11
view
Los
Angeles
Westward Beach (East Zuma
Beach), Malibu in front of Zuma
Creek
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Westward Beach just east of
Zuma Creek on Point Dume
County Beach
1
1/week
50
4%
7
view
Los
Angeles
White Point, San Pedro
no
data
1/week
55
5%
2
view
Los
Angeles
Wilder Addition Park, San Pedro
1
1/week
53
2%
4
view
Los
Angeles
Will Rogers State Beach 50 yards
south of Temescal storm drain
1
1/week
51
14%
21
view
Los
Will Rogers State Beach in front of
1
1/week
54
13%
6
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Angeles
Temescal storm drain
Los
Angeles
Will Rogers State Beach, 17200
Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific
Palisades at staircase
1
1/week
49
6%
0
view
Los
Angeles
Will Rogers State Beach, Bel Air
Bay Club, Pacific Palisades 50
yards south of chain link fence
1
1/week
50
6%
8
view
Los
Angeles
Will Rogers State Beach, Bel Air
Bay Club, Pacific Palisades at
chain link fence
1
1/week
54
11%
6
view
Los
Angeles
Will Rogers State Beach, Pacific
Palisades in front of Pulga storm
drain
1
1/week
50
4%
0
view
Marin
Bolinas Beach
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Chicken Ranch Beach at Creek
1
1/week
31
3%
11
view
Marin
China Camp
1
1/week
31
3%
7
view
Marin
Dillon Beach
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Drake's Beach
1
2/month
30
0%
0
view
Marin
Drake's Estero
1
1/month
11
9%
2
view
Marin
Fort Baker, Horseshoe CoveNortheast
1
1/week
31
13%
23
view
Marin
Fort Baker, Horseshoe CoveNorthwest
1
1/week
31
6%
16
view
Marin
Fort Baker, Horseshoe CoveSouthwest
1
1/week
31
3%
7
view
Marin
Golden Hinde
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Marin
Heart's Desire
1
1/week
31
6%
15
view
Marin
Kehoe Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Marin
Lawson's Landing
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Marin
Limantour Beach
1
2/month
30
0%
0
view
Marin
Marshall Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Marin
McClures Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Marin
McNears Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Marin
Miller Point
1
1/week
31
10%
14
view
Marin
Millerton Point
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Marin
Muir Beach-Central
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Marin
Muir Beach-North
1
1/week
31
6%
21
view
Marin
Muir Beach-South
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Paradise Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Marin
Rodeo Beach (Chronkite)-Central
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Rodeo Beach (Chronkite)-North
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Rodeo Beach (Chronkite)-South
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Schoonmaker Beach
1
1/week
31
10%
16
view
Marin
Shell Beach
1
1/week
31
3%
7
view
Marin
Stinson Beach-Central
1
2/month
30
0%
0
view
Marin
Stinson Beach-North
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Marin
Stinson Beach-South
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Albion River
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Anchor Bay
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Arena Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Big River-Mendocino Bay
Headlands SP
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Casper Headlands
1
few/year
6
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Chadbourne Gulch
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Greenwood SB
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Gualala River
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Hare Creek
1
1/month
10
10%
1
view
Mendocino
Irish Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Jug Handle State Reserve
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
MacKerricher State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Manchester SB
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Navarro River Redwood SP
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Noyo River
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Pudding Creek Beach
1
2/month
27
4%
1
view
Mendocino
Russian Gulch SP
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Schooner Gulch
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Ten Mile River
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Van Damme SP
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Virgin Creek
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Mendocino
Westport/Union Landing
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Monterey
Andrew Molera State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Asilomar State Beach, Sunset at
Asilomar
1
1/week
33
0%
1
view
Monterey
Carmel River State Beach
1
2/month
30
0%
0
view
Monterey
Del Monte Beach
1
1/week
37
19%
0
view
Monterey
Fort Ord Dunes State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Garrapata State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Heritage Harbor
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
John Little State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Limekiln
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Lovers Point
1
1/week
39
18%
0
view
Monterey
Maccabee Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Marina State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Monastery Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Monterey State Beach
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Monterey
Moss Landing State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Pacific Grove City Beaches
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Point Lobos State Reserve State
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Point Sur SHP
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Salinas River State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
San Carlos Beach
1
1/week
34
6%
0
view
Monterey
Seal Rock, Pebble Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Seaside Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monterey
Spanish Bay Beach
1
1/week
34
6%
0
view
Monterey
Stillwater Cove
1
1/week
35
14%
0
view
Monterey
Zmudowski State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - 9th St/1000 Steps
Beach
no
data
2/week
100
0%
0
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - Camel Point
no
data
2/week
102
0%
0
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - Middle
no
data
2/week
102
9%
14
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - North
no
data
2/week
102
2%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Orange
Aliso Beach - South
no
data
2/week
102
1%
0
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - Table Rock
no
data
2/week
102
1%
0
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - Three Arch Bay
no
data
2/week
102
1%
9
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - Treasure Island Pier
no
data
2/week
102
0%
0
view
Orange
Aliso Beach - Treasure Island
Sign
no
data
2/week
102
2%
0
view
Orange
Bolsa Chica Beach
1
3/week
172
4%
8
view
Orange
Bolsa Chica Reserve
1
3/week
171
2%
7
view
Orange
Capistrano Bay District
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Orange
Capistrano Beach, 5000' South
Outfall
1
2/week
89
26%
28 (62)
view
Orange
Outfall
1
2/week
84
17%
11 (57)
view
Orange
Outfall
1
2/week
86
22%
0 (73)
view
Orange
Crystal Cove State Park
1
3/week
170
1%
0
view
Orange
Crystal Cove State Park, Los
Tancos
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Orange
Crystal Cove State Park, Muddy
Creek Downcoast
1
1/week
47
2%
0
view
Orange
Crystal Cove State Park, Muddy
Creek Upcoast
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Orange
Crystal Cove State Park, Pelican
Point
1
few/year
2
0%
4
view
Orange
Point Downcoast
1
1/week
47
2%
0
view
Orange
Point Upcoast
1
few/year
8
13%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Baby Beach Bouy Line
1
1/week
38
18%
2
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Baby Beach East End
1
1/week
43
23%
53
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Baby Beach Swim Area
1
1/week
38
18%
18
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Baby Beach West End
1
1/week
36
17%
4
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Fuel Dock
1
2/month
29
0%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Guest Dock
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Harbor
Entrance
1
2/month
26
4%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Harbor Patrol
Dock
1
2/month
30
3%
2
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, M Dock (East
Basin)
1
2/month
30
3%
1
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, North Beach
Downcoast
1
1/week
42
48%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Pier
1
2/month
29
0%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Pilgrim Dock
1
2/month
29
3%
0
view
Orange
Dana Point Harbor, Youth Dock
1
1/week
33
6%
2
view
Orange
Dana Point, Dana Strands
1
2/week
102
2%
8
view
Orange
Dana Point, MSI Beach
1
2/week
79
3%
3
view
Orange
Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach
1
2/week
103
4%
11
view
Orange
Doheny State Beach, 1000' South
Outfall
1
2/week
84
28%
0
view
Orange
Outfall
1
2/week
85
40%
56
view
Orange
Outfall
1
2/week
84
28%
2
view
Orange
Outfall
1
2/week
87
26%
47
view
Orange
Doheny State Beach, North Beach
1
1/month
12
25%
63
view
Orange
Doheny State Beach, North of San
Juan Creek
1
2/week
84
30%
0
view
Orange
Doheny State Beach, San Juan
Creek Mouth
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Doheny State Beach, Surfzone at
Outfall
1
2/week
84
36%
116 (79)
view
Orange
Doheny State Beach, Upper San
Juan Creek
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Emerald Bay (drain)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Huntington City Beach, 17th
Street
1
3/week
171
3%
7
view
Orange
Huntington City Beach, Beach Hut
1
3/week
150
5%
11
view
Orange
Huntington City Beach, Bluffs
1
3/week
172
3%
10
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Orange
Huntington City Beach, Jack's
Snack Bar
1
3/week
172
4%
5
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, 11th Street
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Admiralty
Drive
1
1/week
32
6%
2
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Anaheim Bay
- Gas Dock
1
1/week
31
3%
0
-
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Anderson
Street Marina
1
1/week
32
6%
2
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Clubhouse
Marina
1
2/month
30
3%
3
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Coral Cay
Beach
1
1/week
32
6%
2
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Davenport
Beach
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Harbour
Channel
1
1/week
31
6%
6
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Humboldt
Beach
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Mothers
Beach
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Sea Gate
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Sunset
Aquatic Park
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Orange
Huntington Harbour, Trinidad
Lane Beach
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Orange
Huntington State Beach, 50' N of
Santa Ana River
1
4/week
191
5%
3
view
Orange
Huntington State Beach,
Brookhurst Street
1
4/week
195
13%
14
view
Orange
Huntington State Beach, Magnolia
Street
1
4/week
196
13%
48
view
Orange
Huntington State Beach, Santa
Ana River - North
1
3/week
172
6%
0
view
Orange
Huntington State Beach, SCE
Plant
1
4/week
192
9%
24
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Blue Lagoon
1
2/week
102
0%
0
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Bluebird Canyon
1
2/week
105
10%
15
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Crescent Bay
1
1/week
44
7%
24
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Emerald Bay
1
few/year
1
0%
2
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Orange
Downcoast
1
1/week
39
3%
0
view
Orange
Upcoast
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Hotel Laguna
1
2/week
102
2%
8
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Laguna Main Bch
Downcoast
1
1/week
39
3%
0
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Laguna Main
Beach
1
few/year
1
0%
2
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Laguna Main
Beach Upcoast
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Laguna Beach, Victoria Beach
1
2/week
102
1%
6
view
Orange
Monarch Beach
1
1/week
32
3%
25
view
Orange
Newport Bay, 10th Street
1
1/week
51
6%
0
view
Orange
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Orange
1
1/week
52
6%
2
view
Orange
Newport Bay, 33rd Street
1
1/week
56
14%
12
view
Orange
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, 43rd Street
1
1/week
52
4%
2
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Abalone Avenue
1
1/week
51
6%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Alvarado/Bay Island
1
1/week
52
10%
11
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Back Bay Drive
Drain Pipe
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Bayshore Beach
1
1/week
52
10%
2
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Bayside Drive
Beach
1
1/week
54
7%
12
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Big Canyon Creek
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, De Anza
1
1/week
51
14%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Garnet Avenue
1
1/week
57
16%
12
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Grand Canal
1
1/week
53
11%
4
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Grant Street
1
1/week
39
13%
24 (68)
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Lancaster/62nd
Street
1
1/week
32
3%
2
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Lido Yacht Club
1
1/week
51
4%
3
view
Orange
Newport Bay, N Street Beach
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Newport Blvd
Bridge
1
1/week
51
35%
2 (365)
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Orange
Newport Bay, Newport Dunes
East
1
1/week
56
20%
25
view
Orange
Middle
1
1/week
53
23%
3
view
Orange
North
1
1/week
58
22%
16
view
Orange
West
1
1/week
53
23%
17
view
Orange
Newport Bay, North Star Beach
1
1/week
52
15%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Onyx Avenue
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Park Avenue
1
1/week
52
6%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Promontory Point
1
1/week
51
0%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Rhine Channel
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Rocky Point
1
1/week
51
6%
9
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Ruby Avenue
1
1/week
53
8%
4
view
Orange
Newport Bay, San Diego Crk at
Campus Dr
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Santa Ana Delhi
Channel
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Sapphire Avenue
1
1/week
52
6%
2
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Ski Zone
1
few/year
7
28%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Vaughns Launch
1
2/month
22
18%
0
view
Orange
Newport Bay, Via Genoa
1
1/week
54
9%
3
view
Orange
Newport Beach, 15th/16th St.
1
3/week
170
1%
0
view
Orange
Newport Beach, 38th Street
1
3/week
170
1%
0
view
Orange
Newport Beach, 52nd/53rd Street
1
3/week
170
2%
2
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Balboa Pier
1
3/week
170
2%
8
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar
1
3/week
170
2%
2
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Liittle Corona
1
few/year
6
0%
11
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Little Corona
Downcoast
1
1/week
47
13%
0
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Little Corona
Upcoast
1
1/week
47
6%
0
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Orange Street
1
3/week
170
5%
2
view
Orange
Newport Beach, Santa Ana River South
1
3/week
124
48%
0
view
Orange
Newport Beach, The Wedge
1
3/week
170
2%
2
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Orange
Poche County Beach
1
2/week
91
67%
209 (120)
view
Orange
Salt Creek Beach Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
San Clemente City Beach, 450'
North of Pier
1
2/week
81
6%
37
view
Orange
San Clemente City Beach, North
Beach
1
2/week
80
1%
2
view
Orange
San Clemente City Beach, TStreet Beach Downcoast
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Orange
San Clemente City Beach, TStreet Beach Upcoast
1
few/year
1
0%
0
view
Orange
San Clemente City Beach,
Trafalgar Street Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
San Clemente State Beach,
Avenida Calafia
1
2/week
81
4%
4
view
Orange
San Clemente State Beach, Las
Palmeras
1
2/week
79
1%
3
view
Orange
Seal Beach Surfside, 1st Street
1
2/week
80
19%
37
view
Orange
Seal Beach Surfside, 8th Street
1
1/week
56
16%
10
view
Orange
Seal Beach Surfside, 14th Street
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Orange
Seal Beach Surfside, 100 yds
South of Pier
1
1/week
56
9%
6
view
Orange
Seal Beach Surfside, San Gab R
at 1st St Pk Lot
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Orange
Seal Beach Surfside, Sea Way
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Orange
South Laguna, Laguna Lido
Apartment
1
2/week
102
0%
0
view
Orange
Sunset Beach, Broadway
1
1/week
53
0%
0
view
San Diego
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Bayside Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Bird Rock (NR)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Border Field State Park, Border
Fence N side
1
1/week
55
11%
34 (104)
view
San Diego
Border Field State Park,
Monument Rd.
1
1/week
52
12%
34 (104)
view
San Diego
Buccaneer Beach, 500'N. of Loma
Alta outlet
1
1/week
49
0%
0
view
San Diego
Buccaneer Beach, Loma Alta
Creek oultet
1
1/week
33
9%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Diego
Cardiff State Beach, Cardiff/ San
Elijo Lagoon
1
1/week
70
0%
0
view
San Diego
Cardiff State Beach, Charthouse
parking
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Cardiff State Beach, Las Olas
(Georges)
1
1/week
47
0%
0
view
San Diego
Cardiff State Beach, Seaside
State Park
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
San Diego
Carlsbad City Beach, Buena Vista
Lagoon outlet
1
1/month
10
0%
0
view
San Diego
Carlsbad Municipal Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
-
San Diego
Carlsbad State Beach, Tamarack
Av
1
2/month
29
0%
0
view
San Diego
Carlsbad State Beach, Warm
Water Jetty
1
2/month
23
4%
1
view
San Diego
Coronado Cays (NR)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Coronado City beaches, Avd. del
Sol
1
1/week
47
4%
0
view
San Diego
Coronado, Central beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Del Mar municipal beach other
Sea Orbit Ln, 12th Street
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Dog Beach O.B. S.D. San Diego
River outlet
1
1/week
63
5%
4
-
San Diego
Fletcher Cove outlet
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Harbor Beach, San Luis Rey River
outlet
1
2/week
73
10%
9
view
San Diego
Imperial Beach municipal beach,
Camp Surf jetty
1
none
0
0%
30
view
San Diego
Carnation Ave.
1
1/week
59
5%
30
view
San Diego
Cortez Ave
1
2/month
25
20%
30
view
San Diego
End of Seacoast Dr
1
1/week
66
8%
30
view
San Diego
Imperial Beach Boulevard
1
few/year
1
100%
30
view
San Diego
Imperial Beach Pier
1
1/week
47
11%
30
view
San Diego
Palm Ave
1
1/month
11
36%
30
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Diego
La Jolla Community Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
La Jolla Cove
1
2/month
20
0%
0
view
San Diego
La Jolla Shores Beach, Ave De La
Playa
1
1/week
37
3%
0
view
San Diego
Leucadia
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Marine Street Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Bahia Point
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Campland On The
Bay, Campland swimming beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Crown Point drain
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Crown Point Shores,
Wildlife Refuge fence
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, De Anza Cove, 1st
drain east of swim area
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Fanuel Park
1
2/month
27
4%
1
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Fiesta Island NW
shore
1
few/year
1
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Leisure Lagoon,
comfort sta N of Leisure
1
2/month
29
0%
1
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Leisure Lagoon,
Leisure Lagoon swim area
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Mariners Basin,
Bonita Cove eastern shore
1
2/month
29
7%
2
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, north pacific
passage
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Quivera Basin
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Riviera Shores
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Sail Bay, Whiting Ct
Catamaran
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, San Juan Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Santa Barbara Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Tecolote playground
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Tecolote Shores
swim area
1
2/month
28
4%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Vacation Isle,
Mission Bay Vacation Isle North
Cove
1
2/month
25
4%
1
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Vacation Isle, S side
Vacation Isle
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Diego
Mission Bay, Vacation Isle, Ski
Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Ventura Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Bay, Visitor's Center,
drain S of Visitor's Cntr
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
San Diego
Mission Beach, Belmont Park
1
1/week
61
3%
2
view
San Diego
Moonlight Beach, Cottonwood
Creek outlet
1
2/week
70
3%
5
view
San Diego
north Imperial Beach-Camp Surf
jetty
1
few/year
1
0%
0
view
San Diego
Ocean Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Oceanside Harbor
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Oceanside municipal beach,
Cassidy Street
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Forester Street
1
1/week
49
0%
0
view
San Diego
Oceanside municipal beach, St.
Malo Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Tyson Street
1
1/week
49
0%
0
view
San Diego
Oceanside Pier area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Pacific Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Powerhouse Park 15th Street
1
1/week
39
0%
2
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay Chula Vista
Bayside Park (J Street)
1
1/week
31
13%
5
-
San Diego
San Diego Bay Coronado Cays
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay Glorietta Bay
1
2/month
29
3%
2
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay, Lawrence St.
outlet
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay, Shelter Is Shelter
Is shoreline park
1
2/month
29
7%
4
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay, Silver Strand
(bayside)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay, Spanish Landing
1
2/month
28
4%
0
view
San Diego
San Diego Bay, Sweetwater River
(NR)
1
none
0
0%
0
-
San Diego
San Diego Bay, Tidelands Park
1
1/week
33
18%
12
view
San Diego
San Dieguito River Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Diego
San Dieguito River Beach, Del
Mar, San Dieguito River outlet
1
1/week
38
3%
0
view
San Diego
San Elijo State Beach, Pipes
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
San Diego
San Elijo State Beach, stairs near
main entrance
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
San Diego
San Onofre State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
San Onofre State Beach Old
Man's north SO
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
San Diego
Seascape Beach Park
1
2/month
30
0%
0
view
San Diego
Shell Beach, Bermuda Ave
1
1/week
65
9%
1
view
San Diego
Shell Beach, Newport Ave
1
1/week
59
0%
0
view
San Diego
Shell Beach, O.B. pier at
Narrangaset
1
1/week
63
3%
0
view
San Diego
Shell Beach, Stub Jetty south side
1
1/week
60
0%
0
view
San Diego
Silver Strand State Beach, Silver
Strand N end (ocean)
1
1/week
51
4%
7
view
San Diego
Solana Beach City Beaches, Tide
Beach center
1
1/week
47
2%
0
view
San Diego
South Carlsbad State Beach,
Batiquitos Lagoon outlet
1
1/week
45
0%
8
view
San Diego
Cerezo Drive
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Encina Creek outlet
1
1/week
49
0%
0
view
San Diego
Palomar Airport
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Poinsettia Lane
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
Ponto Drive
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
San Diego
South Casa Beach S.D.
1
2/month
28
11%
4
view
San Diego
South Casa Beach, Childrens
Pool
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Spanish Landing Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Sunset Cliffs Park, Ladera Street
1
1/week
62
3%
0
view
San Diego
Swami's Park, Swami's
1
2/month
29
0%
0
view
San Diego
Tecolote Shores
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Tide Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Diego
Tijuana River
1
none
0
0%
0
-
San Diego
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife
Refuge, 3/4 mi. N of TJ River
1
1/week
57
5%
0 (138)
view
San Diego
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife
Refuge, Tijuana Estuary mouth
1
2/week
80
28%
0 (138)
view
San Diego
Torrey Pines City Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Torrey Pines State Beach, Black's
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Torrey Pines State Beach, Los
Peasquitos Lagoon
1
1/week
64
2%
2
view
San Diego
Tourmaline Surfing Park
1
2/month
21
10%
1
view
San Diego
USMC Camp Pendleton-Camp del
Mar
1
few/year
4
25%
5
view
San Diego
Whispering Sands Nicholson Pt.,
Coast Blvd gazebo
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Diego
Whispering Sands Nicholson Pt.,
Ravina south
1
1/month
16
0%
0
view
San Diego
WindanSea Beach, Playa Del
Norte
1
1/week
31
0%
0
view
San
Francisco
Aquatic Park, Hyde Street Pier
1
1/week
55
5%
1
view
San
Francisco
Aquatic Park, Mid-beach
1
1/week
61
13%
4
view
San
Francisco
Baker Beach, Lobos Creek at
Lower Parking Lot
1
1/week
69
19%
17
view
San
Francisco
Baker Beach, Opposite Seacliff 2
Pumping Station
1
1/week
62
11%
12
view
San
Francisco
Baker Beach, Upper Parking Lot
1
1/week
69
10%
12
view
San
Francisco
Candlestick Point, Jack Rabbit
Beach
1
1/week
58
10%
3
view
San
Francisco
Candlestick Point, Sunnydale
Cove
1
1/week
59
12%
3
view
San
Francisco
Candlestick Point, Windsurfer
Circle
1
1/week
99
49%
49
view
San
Francisco
China Beach, China Beach
1
1/week
55
2%
2
view
San
Francisco
Crissy Field West
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
San
Francisco
Crissy Field, New Beach
1
1/week
60
13%
8
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San
Francisco
Ocean Beach at Vicente St.
1
when
discharge
14
28%
14
view
San
Francisco
Ocean Beach, at Balboa St.
1
1/week
70
13%
17
view
San
Francisco
Ocean Beach, at Lincoln Ave.
1
1/week
65
11%
17
view
San
Francisco
Ocean Beach, at Pacheco St.
1
when
discharge
11
9%
12
view
San
Francisco
Ocean Beach, at Sloat Blvd.
1
1/week
64
9%
13
view
San
Francisco
Ocean Beach, Fort Funston
1
when
discharge
13
38%
15
view
San Luis
Obispo
Avila Beach - Halfway between
San Luis Creek and pier
1
1/week
59
14%
7
view
San Luis
Obispo
Avila Beach, 249 yds east of pier
by last steps on rock wall
1
1/week
59
14%
4
view
San Luis
Obispo
Cayucos Beach, Farthest swing
set, near D street
1
1/week
58
10%
2
view
San Luis
Obispo
Cayucos Beach, Half way
between creek and pier
1
1/week
57
11%
6
view
San Luis
Obispo
Cayucos Beach, Studio drive
parking lot, south of Old Creek
1
1/week
55
5%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Hearst Memorial State Beach, 100
feet east of the pier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Hearst Memorial State Beach, 100
feet west of the pier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Leffingwell Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Montana De Oro - Hazard Canyon
no
data
1/week
53
2%
1
view
San Luis
Obispo
Moonstone Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Morro Bay City Beach, 75 ft north
of main parking lot
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Morro Bay City Beach, Atascadero
Ave
1
1/week
59
12%
3
view
San Luis
Obispo
Morro Bay City Beach, Small
parking lot south side of Morro
Bay Creek
1
1/week
56
7%
5
view
San Luis
Obispo
Morro Strand State Beach, Alva
Paul-Beachcomber Dr & Luzon
South
1
1/week
51
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Luis
Obispo
N Morro Strand State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Oceano Dunes State Rec Area
Post 4
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Oceano Dunes State Rec Area,
350 yds north of Pier Ave
1
1/week
52
2%
1
view
San Luis
Obispo
571 yds south of Pier Ave
1
1/week
51
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Pier Ave
1
1/week
53
4%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Olde Port Beach-11
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Olde Port Beach-12
1
1/week
65
22%
9
view
San Luis
Obispo
Pismo State Beach, 40 ft south of
pier
1
1/week
56
9%
3
view
San Luis
Obispo
Pismo State Beach, 302 yds south
of Pier-Sea Venture green roofOcean
1
1/week
55
7%
3
view
San Luis
Obispo
Pismo State Beach, 338 yds north
of pier-Edgewater Motel
1
1/week
53
4%
2
view
San Luis
Obispo
Pismo State Beach, Oceano
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
S Morro Strand State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
San Simeon Beach
1
1/week
55
7%
1
view
San Luis
Obispo
Sewers, Silver Shoals Drive
1
1/week
54
6%
2
view
San Luis
Obispo
Shell Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Luis
Obispo
Spyglass Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Ano Nuevo State Refuge
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Aquatic Park
1
1/week
41
63%
35 (160)
view
San Mateo
Bean Hollow State Beach
1
1/month
19
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Capistrano Blvd. Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Coyote Point County Park
1
1/week
42
21%
67
view
San Mateo
Dunes State Beach
1
1/week
40
8%
49
view
San Mateo
El Grandada
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Mateo
Elmar Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Fitzgerald Marine (Moss Beach)
1
1/week
40
28%
93
view
San Mateo
Francis State Beach
1
1/week
40
3%
8
view
San Mateo
Gazos Creek Access
1
1/month
18
0%
22
view
San Mateo
Gray Whale State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Kiteboard Beach
no
data
2/month
26
23%
96
view
San Mateo
Lakeshore Park
1
1/week
41
46%
119 (142)
view
San Mateo
Manor Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Martin's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Maverick's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Miramar Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Montara State Beach
1
1/week
40
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Mori Point
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Naples Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Oyster Point Marina
no
data
1/week
38
18%
83
view
San Mateo
Pacifica State Beach, Linda Mar
Beach #5
1
1/week
40
13%
62
view
San Mateo
Pebble Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Pescadero State Beach
1
2/month
19
5%
0
view
San Mateo
Pigeon Point Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Pillar Point-Capistrano
1
2/month
25
52%
0
view
San Mateo
Pillar Point-Mavericks Parking lot
1
1/week
41
17%
85
view
San Mateo
Pillar Point-outer harbor
1
2/month
27
15%
39
view
San Mateo
Pillar Point-surf-West Point
Avenue
1
1/week
44
23%
84 (65)
view
San Mateo
Pomponio State Beach
1
1/month
18
0%
6
view
San Mateo
Poplar Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Redondo Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Rockaway Beach
1
1/week
40
3%
0
view
San Mateo
Roosevelt State Beach
1
1/week
40
13%
50
view
San Mateo
Ross's Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
San Gregorio State Beach
1
1/month
18
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Sand Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Mateo
Sharp Park Beach #3
1
1/week
37
3%
1
view
San Mateo
Sharp Park Beach #6
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Surfers Beach
1
1/week
41
10%
19
view
San Mateo
Thornton State Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Tunitas Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Vallejo Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
San Mateo
Venice State Beach
1
1/week
40
18%
35 (46)
view
Santa
Barbara
1000 Steps
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Arroyo Burro
1
1/week
42
17%
34
view
Santa
Barbara
Arroyo Quemado
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Butterfly Beach
1
1/week
40
8%
11
view
Santa
Barbara
Campus Pt.
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Carpinteria City
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Carpinteria State
1
1/week
42
7%
5
view
Santa
Barbara
Coal Oil Point
1
1/week
37
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Depressions
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Devereaux
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
East Beach Sycamore Creek
1
1/week
40
5%
10
view
Santa
Barbara
East Beach- Mission Creek
1
1/week
39
5%
2
view
Santa
Barbara
El Capitan State Beach
1
1/week
39
5%
10
view
Santa
Barbara
Ellwood
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Gaviota State Beach
1
1/week
37
3%
6
view
Santa
Barbara
Goleta Beach
1
1/week
39
5%
18
view
Santa
Guadalupe Dunes Beach
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Barbara
Santa
Barbara
Hammonds
1
1/week
39
5%
10
view
Santa
Barbara
Haskell's
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Hope Ranch Beach
1
1/week
40
13%
17
view
Santa
Barbara
Isla Vista Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Jalama Beach
1
1/week
37
5%
13
view
Santa
Barbara
Leadbetter
1
1/week
41
15%
23
view
Santa
Barbara
Loon Point
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Mesa Lane
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Miramar
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Ocean Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Padaro Lane
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Refugio State Beach
1
1/week
39
10%
22
view
Santa
Barbara
Rincon at Bates Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Sands Beach at Coal Oil Point
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Santa Claus Lane
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
Summerland Beach
1
1/week
40
5%
1
view
Santa
Barbara
Surf Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa
Barbara
West Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Beercan Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Capitola Beach east of Jetty
1
1/week
56
13%
1
view
Santa Cruz
Capitola Beach west of Jetty
1
1/week
61
33%
10
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Santa Cruz
Corcoran Lagoon Beach
1
1/month
12
8%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Cowell Beach Stairs
1
1/week
51
4%
1
view
Santa Cruz
Cowell Beach west of Wharf
1
1/week
61
34%
8 (136)
view
Santa Cruz
Hidden Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Hooper's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Lighthouse Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Main Beach at Boardwalk
1
1/week
57
14%
1
view
Santa Cruz
Main Beach at San Lorenzo
1
1/week
53
9%
1
view
Santa Cruz
Manresa State Beach
1
1/month
12
8%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Mitchells Cove Beach
1
1/month
13
8%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Moran Lake Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Natural Bridges State Beach
1
1/week
52
4%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Neary Lagoon mouth
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Santa Cruz
New Brighton State Beach
1
1/week
54
9%
1
view
Santa Cruz
Pajaro Dunes State Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Pleasure Point Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Rio del Mar Beach
1
1/week
55
13%
0
view
Santa Cruz
San Vicente Beach
1
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Schwan Lake
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Santa Cruz
Scott Creek Beach
1
1/month
9
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Seabright State Beach
1
1/week
51
4%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Seacliff State Beach
1
1/week
53
4%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Seascape Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Sunny Cove Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Sunset Beach
1
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Trestle Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Twin Lakes State Beach
1
1/week
52
2%
0
view
Santa Cruz
Waddell Creek Beach
1
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Sonoma
Black Point Regional Park Beach
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Sonoma
Campbell Cove State Beach
1
1/week
39
5%
4
view
Sonoma
Doran Regional Park Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Sonoma
Goat Rock State Beach
1
1/week
32
0%
12
view
Sonoma
Gualala Regional Park Beach
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Sonoma
Salmon Creek State Beach
1
1/week
38
0%
0
view
Sonoma
Stillwater Regional Park Beach
1
1/week
33
6%
9
view
Ventura
County Line Beach
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Ventura
Deer Creek Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
Emma Wood State Beach
1
1/week
51
4%
2
view
Ventura
Faria County Park
1
1/week
51
4%
9
view
Ventura
Hobie Beach
1
1/week
53
13%
16
view
Ventura
Hobson County Park
1
2/month
27
4%
2
view
Ventura
Hollywood Bch-La Crescen.
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Ventura
Hollywood Bch-Los Robles
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Ventura
Kiddie Beach
1
1/week
54
15%
28
view
Ventura
La Conchita Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
Mandos Cove Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Ventura
Marina Park Beach
1
2/month
27
4%
2
view
Ventura
McGrath State Beach, station
2600
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
2700
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
2800
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
Mussel Shoals Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Ventura
Oil Piers Beach
1
1/week
51
2%
1
view
Ventura
Ormond Bch-Indust. Drain
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Ventura
Ormond Beach- J St.
1
1/week
52
4%
1
view
Ventura
Ormond Beach-Arnold Rd.
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Ventura
Oxnard Bch Pk-Falkirk Ave
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Ventura
Oxnard Bch Pk-Starfish Dr
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Ventura
Oxnard Bch-5th St.
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Ventura
Oxnard Bch-Outrigger Way
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Ventura
Peninsula Bch/Harbor Cove
1
2/month
27
4%
1
view
Ventura
Point Mugu Beach
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Ventura
Port Hueneme Beach Pk.
1
1/week
53
4%
9
view
Ventura
Promenade Pk-Calif. St.
1
2/month
29
14%
9
view
Ventura
Promenade Pk-Figueroa St.
1
1/week
51
8%
14
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ventura
Promenade Pk-Redwood Apts15000
1
2/month
28
11%
8
view
Ventura
Promenade Pk-Redwood Apts16000
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
Rincon Beach-1000
1
1/week
51
4%
2
view
Ventura
Rincon Beach-1050
1
2/month
27
4%
2
view
Ventura
Rincon Parkway North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
San Buenaventura State Beach,
Dover Lane
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Ventura
Kalorama St.
1
2/month
28
14%
13
view
Ventura
San Jon Rd.
1
1/week
52
10%
8
view
Ventura
Weymouth Ln.
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Ventura
Seaside Wilderness Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
Silverstrand Beach, S. Paula
1
1/week
53
4%
1
view
Ventura
Silverstrand Beach, San Nic.
1
1/week
53
4%
1
view
Ventura
Silverstrand Beach, Sawtelle
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Ventura
Solimar Beach
1
1/week
51
4%
2
view
Ventura
South Jetty Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Ventura
Staircase Beach
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Ventura
Surfer's Knoll Beach
1
1/week
50
2%
0
view
Ventura
Surfer's Point at Seaside
1
1/week
50
4%
3
view
Ventura
Sycamore Cove Beach
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Ventura
Thornhill Broome Beach
1
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Ventura
Ventura River
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Data and state-specific information for this summary were collected from U.S. EPA, direct
3. Reported closing or advisory days are for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less. Days in
parentheses are for events lasting more than six consecutive weeks.
State Summary: Connecticut
Key Findings in Connecticut
Connecticut 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

148 (50%) wildlife



Connecticut has 73 public beaches stretching along 15 miles of Long Island Sound coastline. The
Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) administers the state's BEACH Act grant.
Connecticut?
Hurricanes
Hurricane Sandy was one of the largest storms ever to hit the northeastern United States. Killing 159
people and causing an estimated $70 billion in damage in eight states, Sandy was the most
destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season and the second-costliest hurricane in
U.S. history. The superstorm hit Connecticut's coast in October 2012, damaging homes and leading
to discharges of millions of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into Long Island Sound.
A state of emergency was declared for Connecticut, and numerous cities were under evacuations.
The previous year, Connecticut suffered a number of beach closure events due to the rare latesummer Hurricane Irene. The rain from the hurricane caused high fecal indicator bacteria counts and
debris hazards.
In 2012, Connecticut reported 73 beaches. Of these, 72 (99%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week, and one (1%) was not monitored. In 2012, 8% of all reported beach
monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 104 colonies/100 ml.
The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012
were Pear Tree Point Beach in Fairfield County (28%); Seabluff Beach (28%) and Oak Street B
Beach (20%) in New Haven County; and Calf Pasture Beach (19%), Weed Beach (19%), and
Rowayton Beach (19%) in Fairfield County. Middlesex County had the highest exceedance rate of
the daily maximum standard in 2012 (9%), followed by Fairfield (9%), New Haven (7%), and New
London (4%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when
calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and
What Are Connecticut's Sampling Practices?
Connecticut's monitoring season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Monitoring at municipal
coastal beaches is the responsibility of local health authorities. At state park beaches, the
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) is responsible, with an
advise-and-consent role played by CT DPH. Both local and state personnel follow state guidelines
that samples be taken 12 to 18 inches below the surface in water that is 3 to 4 feet deep.
State guidelines suggest additional sampling when there are higher bather loads, at culverts and
drainage pipes after rain events, after sewage spills or other pollution events, when waterfowl are
congregating, or when sanitary survey information indicates a potential for non-point contamination
after a rain event. Resamples are recommended by the state when a sample exceeds standards. At
the four state park marine beaches monitored by CT DEEP, resampling is done every day once a
beach is closed until water quality becomes acceptable. States that monitor more frequently after an
exceedance is found or after heavy rain will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower
total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling schedule did not increase after an
exceedance was found or after a heavy rainfall.
Total closing/advisory days for 96 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 45% to
298 days in 2012 from 538 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 143 days in 2010, 108 days in
2009, and 135 days in 2008. There were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended
events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent
events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 96 events lasting six consecutive
weeks or less, 22% (65) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels, 50% (148) were preemptive due to wildlife, and 29% (85) were preemptive due to
heavy rainfall.
How Does Connecticut Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
State guidelines encourage local health departments and the CT DEEP to apply the EPA's singlesample maximum standard for marine and estuarine designated beach areas (104 cfu/100 ml) when
considering whether to close a beach or issue an advisory. The state guidelines also encourage
local health departments and the CT DEEP to consider the geometric mean of the last five samples
collected in a 30-day period. If this geometric mean is greater than 35 cfu/100 ml, then the state's
guideline is to consider closing the beach. Local jurisdictions determine how to apply water quality
standards.
The CT DPH encourages beach managers to consider the range or spread of the sample values that
generate geometric mean results greater than 35 cfu/100 ml. Some local health departments use the
single-sample maximum or the geometric mean to trigger closing and advisory decisions; for other
local health departments and the CT DEEP, the single-sample maximum triggers advisory and
closing decisions, and exceedance of the geometric mean standard may trigger consideration of
closings and advisories.
When routine samples exceed the state standards, the state recommends that a resample be taken
and a sanitary survey be conducted to determine if raw or partially treated sewage is contributing to
the elevated bacterial concentrations. If the survey reveals discharges of raw or partially treated
sewage, then the state recommends that the swimming area be closed. If sample results exceed the
standards and a sanitary survey reveals no evidence of sewage contamination, the state
recommends that the beach be examined with consultation from the CT DPH before any decision
about closure is made. A beach where samples exceed the standards may remain open if a sanitary
survey reveals no sign of a sewage spill. Local authorities may adopt standards more protective of
public health than the state standards and may issue advisories in addition to closures. Most
municipalities resample before issuing an advisory, and most also conduct a sanitary survey to
determine if sewage is contributing to the elevated bacterial concentrations. Some municipalities
collect multiple samples at each monitoring event, and in some cases, if more than one sample
exceeds the standard, they will close the beach without resample.
Local jurisdictions are responsible for determining preemptive closing and advisory practices. State
guidance allows preemptive beach closings based on rainfall data, and many municipalities have
adopted a preemptive rainfall threshold for some beaches. When preemptive rainfall thresholds are
reached at the selected beaches, they are automatically closed until test results indicate that there is
no bacterial violation. Local jurisdictions may recommend preemptive closures if there is a known
waste contamination event such as a sewage bypass, mechanical failure at a sewage treatment
plant, or a sewer line break. If a beach is affected by floating debris, the beach can be closed for
safety reasons. Local health departments may also post an advisory at a beach or close it if there is
a harmful algal bloom.
Shoreline municipalities in Connecticut are sensitive to reports of swimmer's itch. Swimmer's itch,
also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain
parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These microscopic parasites are released from
infected snails into freshwater and salt water. While the parasites' preferred host is nonhuman, if the
parasite comes into contact with a swimmer, it burrows into the skin and dies, causing an allergic
reaction and rash. Swimmer's itch is found throughout the world and is more frequent during summer
months. Connecticut beaches can be placed under advisory when swimmer's itch is reported.
Connecticut 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Fairfield
Bell Island Beach
2
1/week
30
7%
4
view
Fairfield
Burying Hill Beach
1
1/week
12
8%
0
view
Fairfield
Byram Beach
3
1/week
61
11%
12
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Fairfield
Calf Pasture Beach
2
1/week
62
19%
5
view
Fairfield
Compo Beach
1
1/week
52
8%
0
view
Fairfield
Cummings Beach
3
1/week
48
2%
35
view
Fairfield
East (Cove Island) Beach
3
1/week
48
6%
36
view
Fairfield
Great Captain's Island
Beach
1
1/week
28
0%
0
view
Fairfield
Greenwich Point Beach
2
1/week
47
2%
2
view
Fairfield
Hickory Bluff Beach
2
1/week
15
13%
5
view
Fairfield
Island Beach
1
1/week
29
3%
0
view
Fairfield
Jennings Beach
1
1/week
32
9%
2
view
Fairfield
Long Beach (Marnick's)
1
1/week
15
7%
2
view
Fairfield
Long Beach (Proper)
1
1/week
28
0%
0
view
Fairfield
Marvin Beach
2
1/week
17
18%
5
view
Fairfield
Pear Tree Point Beach
2
1/week
39
28%
3
view
Fairfield
Penfield Beach
1
1/week
36
17%
2
view
Fairfield
Quigley Beach
3
1/week
16
0%
36
view
Fairfield
Rowayton Beach
2
1/week
16
19%
7
view
Fairfield
Sasco Beach
1
1/week
32
6%
2
view
Fairfield
Seaside Park Beach
1
1/week
72
4%
2
view
Fairfield
Shady Beach
2
1/week
67
12%
5
view
Fairfield
Sherwood Island State Park
Beach
1
1/week
51
4%
2
view
Fairfield
Short Beach
1
1/week
49
0%
0
view
Fairfield
South Pine Creek Beach
1
1/week
16
0%
2
view
Fairfield
Southport Beach
1
1/week
32
6%
2
view
Fairfield
Weed Beach
2
1/week
26
19%
3
view
Fairfield
West Beach
3
1/week
53
9%
36
view
Middlesex
Harvey's Beach
2
1/week
15
13%
4
view
Middlesex
Middle Beach/Stannard
Beach
1
1/week
12
17%
0
view
Middlesex
Town Beach (Clinton)
1
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Middlesex
Town Beach (Old Saybrook)
1
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Middlesex
Westbrook Town
Beach/West Beach
1
1/week
32
13%
32
view
New
Haven
Altschuler Beach
1
1/week
28
11%
2
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
New
Haven
Anchor Beach (Merwin
Point) #1
1
1/week
15
7%
0
view
New
Haven
Anchor Beach (Merwin
Point) #2
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
New
Haven
Branford Point Beach
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
New
Haven
Clark Avenue Beach
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
New
Haven
Dawson Beach
1
1/week
31
16%
4
view
New
Haven
East Haven Town Beach
1
1/week
28
0%
0
view
New
Haven
East Wharf Beach
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
New
Haven
Fort Hale Park Beach
1
1/week
68
9%
0
view
New
Haven
Gulf Beach
1
1/week
14
7%
0
view
New
Haven
Hammonasset Beach State
Park Beach
1
1/week
70
1%
0
view
New
Haven
Jacobs Beach (Town Beach)
1
1/week
40
3%
0
view
New
Haven
Lighthouse Point Beach
2
1/week
120
6%
12
view
New
Haven
Morse Beach
1
1/week
28
4%
1
view
New
Haven
Oak Street A Beach
1
1/week
29
14%
2
view
New
Haven
Oak Street B Beach
1
1/week
30
20%
6
view
New
Haven
Pent Road Beach
1
1/week
16
13%
0
view
New
Haven
Rock Street Beach
1
1/week
26
4%
1
view
New
Haven
Seabluff Beach
1
1/week
32
28%
7
view
New
Haven
Seaview Beach
1
1/week
30
17%
6
view
New
Haven
Silver Sands State Park
Beach
2
1/week
76
9%
3
view
New
Haven
South Street Beach
1
1/week
30
13%
4
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
New
Haven
Stony Creek Beach
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
New
Haven
Surf Club Beach
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
New
Haven
Walnut Beach
1
1/week
28
0%
0
view
New
Haven
West Wharf Beach
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
New
Haven
Woodmont Beach
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
New
London
Dubois Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
New
London
Eastern Point Beach
1
1/week
16
13%
0
view
New
London
Esker Point Beach
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
New
London
Green Harbor Beach
1
1/week
17
12%
2
view
New
London
Hole-In-the-Wall Beach
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
New
London
Mccook Point Beach
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
New
London
Noank Dock
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
New
London
Ocean Beach Park
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
New
London
Pleasure Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
New
London
Rocky Neck State Park
Beach
1
1/week
75
9%
2
view
New
London
Soundview Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
New
London
Waterford Town Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
New
London
White Sands Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
State Summary: Delaware
Ranked 1st in Beachwater Quality (out of 30 states)
<1% of samples exceeded national standards for designated beach areas in 2012
Delaware 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Delaware has 50 miles of Delaware Bay coastline, 25 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, and 115
miles of inland shoreline along Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay. The
state's marine beachwater monitoring program is administered by the Delaware Department of
Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
Delaware?
Leadership in Water Quality Monitoring
Delaware has a long-standing commitment to informing beachgoers about water quality and has
sampled beaches since1979. DNREC's comprehensive program currently includes sampling for
enterococcus bacteria, monitoring for rainfall and other factors known to impact water quality, and
surveying the shoreline weekly. Additionally, the state's Floatables and Debris Program has a vessel
in the water year-round in all weather conditions to monitor floating debris as well as oil spills,
harmful algae blooms, sewage treatment discharges, nutrient runoff, and industrial discharges.
Addressing Pollution Sources
In conjunction with the University of Delaware Sea Grant, DNREC is conducting a source tracking
study at designated recreational beaches. In 2012, studies began for certain marine beaches and
will continue through 2013.One source tracking study was recently completed at a non-beach site in
the Delaware Inland Bays to identify the source of high bacteria levels. It was determined that the
bacteria originated from shorebirds that use the site to feed and nest nearby. Officials plan to
complete the current source tracking study before the 2014 beach season.
Green Infrastructure
Delaware's coastal beaches historically have very clean water, due to efforts over 30 years to
prevent point and non-point pollution. In 2012, the state continued its efforts to ensure clean water
by adopting the Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy and accompanying regulations for the Indian
River, Indian River Bay, Rehoboth Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay watersheds. Contaminants in
these bays come from many sources in the watershed, including failing septic systems, residential
and agricultural runoff, and wildlife. Additionally, the sewage treatment plants in Lewes and
Rehoboth discharge treated effluent into the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal, which feeds into the bays.
Poor flushing of the shallow waters in these bays allows pollutants to linger; it can take more than
two months for water to move through. The new plan aims to improve water quality through
upgrading or replacing residential septic systems and reducing stormwater runoff and pollution from
other non-point sources.
In 2012, Delaware reported 24 coastal beaches, of which 5 (21%) were monitored more than once a
week and 19 (79%) were monitored once a week. In 2012, less than 1% of all reported beach
The only beach with an exceedance of the daily maximum standard in 2012 was RehobothRehoboth Ave. Beach (3%) in Sussex County. NRDC considers all reported samples individually
(without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes
duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if any.
What Are Delaware's Sampling Practices?
In 2012, the monitoring season extended from May 7 to September 24. The DNREC determines
sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and procedures throughout the
state. Samples are taken in knee-deep water.Monitoring frequency and locations are determined on
the basis of how many months of the year the beaches are used recreationally, what kind of use and
how much use they get, their proximity to potential sources of contamination, and whether the
beaches could be impacted by stormwater runoff. All of Delaware's public ocean beaches are
monitored, as are beaches along the southern half of the Delaware Bay coast from Slaughter Beach
to Cape Henlopen.
Once an advisory or closing is issued, resampling to confirm an exceedance is conducted
immediately and the beach is monitored more frequently until the advisory can be lifted. States that
rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not
increase after an exceedance was found.
The DNREC also samples water and/or shellfish for toxins and for algal blooms of the harmful
species Kareniabrevis and K.papilionacea. As appropriate, the DNREC issues harmful algal bloom
swimming advisories at freshwater beaches.
Total closing/advisory days for 1 event lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 83% to 1
day in 2012 from 6 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 86 days in 2010, 94 days in 2009, and
11 days in 2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events
are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events
are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. The 1 event lasting six consecutive weeks or less
was due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels. This event occurred at Rehoboth
Beach and was caused by stormwater outfall pipes; all pipes are being retrofitted for the 2013
swimming season.
Due to water quality concerns, there is a permanent caution regarding swimming in Rehoboth Bay,
Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay. This permanent caution includes Tower Road Bayside
in Rehoboth Bay and Holts Landing Beach in Indian River Bay. Signs are posted at popular access
points around the three bays to warn potential swimmers of the risks associated with swimming in
these bodies of water, particularly after a heavy rain. NRDC does not include this permanent caution
in its analysis of closing and advisory days.
How Does Delaware Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Delaware's standards for marine beachwater quality are an enterococcus single-sample maximum of
104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean standard of 35 cfu/100 ml for the most recent five samples
within 30 days. When a water quality exceedance shows there is a potential threat to public health, a
swimming advisory or closure is issued immediately. Rare circumstances, such as leaking sampling
containers, excessive sediment, or very rough surf, can justify a resample prior to issuance of an
advisory.The DNREC informs the public of the advisory or closure through signs posted at the beach
as well as via the DNREC website, instant messaging, and a toll-free hotline. Lifeguards also keep
swimmers out of the water when conditions are unsafe.
DNA analyses to track the source of bacteria at Slaughter Beach and Prime Hook Beach have
shown that nonhuman sources contribute to indicator bacteria counts at these beaches. Monitoring
results at these beaches are adjusted downward to account for nonhuman sources at these beaches
before the water quality standard is applied. (Monitoring data are reported before this adjustment is
made, and NRDC uses the unadjusted values in its analysis of exceedances.) For Slaughter Beach,
the correction factor is 0.49 (which is multiplied by the raw count). This was calculated on the basis
of a microbial source tracking study at this beach that found that 77% of fecal bacteria came from
wildlife sources, with a 26% margin of error. At Prime Hook, microbial source tracking found that
70% of fecal bacteria came from wildlife, with a 24% margin of error, resulting in a correction factor
of 0.54 for this beach.
State policy is to issue advisories when fecal bacteria counts exceed either the single-sample or
geometric mean standard. There are limited overriding factors, such as leaking sampling containers
or excessive sediment in samples, that officials can take into account before issuing an advisory
when a sample exceeds standards, but these are rare exceptions. Circumstances that would trigger
an imminent health threat result in a closing rather than an advisory.
Delaware has a standard for issuing preemptive rainfall advisories. For marine waters, the DNREC
has determined that 3.5 inches of rainfall within 24 hours or 3 inches within 12 hours may trigger a
closing. Preemptive closings are issued in the case of a known sewage spill.
Delaware 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Sussex
3 R's
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Sussex
Atlantic Beach Near Gordons Pond
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Sussex
Bethany Beach
2
2/week
39
0%
0
view
Sussex
Broadkill Beach
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Sussex
Cape Henlopen Beach
1
2/week
41
0%
0
view
Sussex
Cape Henlopen State Park - Herring
Point
2
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Sussex
Conquest Rd.
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
Deauville Beach
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
Delaware Seashore State Park,
Tower Road Ocean Site
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Sussex
Delaware/Maryland Line Beach
2
2/week
39
0%
0
view
Sussex
Dewey Beach
1
1/week
26
0%
0
view
Sussex
Dewey Beach-Dagsworthy
1
2/week
38
0%
0
view
Sussex
Fenwick Island State Park Beach
2
1/week
25
0%
0
view
Sussex
Key Box
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
Lewes Beach North
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
Lewes Beach South
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
North Indian River Inlet Beach,
Delaware Seashore State Park
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
Prime Hook Beach
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Sussex
Rehoboth-Queen St Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Sussex
Rehoboth-Rehoboth Ave Beach
1
2/week
39
3%
1
view
Sussex
Rehoboth-Virginia Ave Beach
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Sussex
Slaughter Beach
2
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Sussex
South Bethany Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Sussex
South Indian River Inlet Beach
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
State Summary: Florida
Key Findings in Florida
Florida 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

1,813 (78%) stormwater runoff

1,627 (70%) wildlife

1,206 (52%) sewage spills/leaks

1,124 (48%) other contamination sources

(Totals exceed total days and 100% because more than one contamination source was reported for
most events.)
With its year-round swim season and more than 1,000 miles of coastline, Florida has the most
coastal swimmers in the nation. The state has more than 600 public coastal beaches stretching
along its Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shores. A national survey on recreation and the environment in
2000 estimated that about 14 million people visit Florida’s beaches annually.
What are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in
Florida?
Tropical Storms
U.S. history. Sandy hit southern Florida on October 25, 2012, bringing tropical-force winds and
heavy rains for several days. Tropical storms prior to Sandy also left Florida with more than 2 feet of
rain. Stormwater runoff from this heavy rainfall caused an increase of fecal indicator bacteria and
affected beachwater quality.
Improved Public Information
In February 2013, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) updated its Healthy Beaches web
page to make it more accessible to the public and informative. In the 2013 monitoring season, DOH
plans to add the monitoring results for more than 100 freshwater (inland) bathing beaches to its
marine Healthy Beaches web page.
In 2012, Florida reported 636 coastal beaches, of which 76 (12%) were monitored once a week and
184 (29%) every other week; 376 (59%) were not monitored. In 2012, 6% of all reported beach
monitoring samples exceeded the state’s daily maximum enterococcus standard of 104 colonies/100
ml and/or a fecal coliform standard of 400 colonies/100 ml, or both. The beaches with the highest
percent exceedance rates of the state standards in 2012 were Garniers in Okaloosa County (83%);
Monument Beach in Gulf County (72%); Rocky Bayou (Fred Gannon State Park) (61%) and Liza
Jackson Park (50%) in Okaloosa County; Bayview Park in Escambia County (45%); Lincoln Park
(45%) and Poquito Park (38%) in Okaloosa County; and St. Joe Beach in Gulf County (32%).
Okaloosa County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (35%),
followed by Gulf (29%), Walton (21%), Escambia (16%), Bay (12%), Hillsborough (9%), Sarasota
(5%), Santa Rosa (5%), Monroe (5%), Broward (5%), Martin (5%), Pasco (4%), Pinellas (4%),
Miami-Dade (2%), St Lucie (2%), Manatee (2%), Charlotte (1%), Franklin (1%), Brevard (1%), Lee
(1%), and Palm Beach (1%). No samples taken in Volusia, Hernando, Wakulla, Flagler, Indian River,
St. Johns, Collier, Duval, and Nassau Counties exceeded the daily maximum standard. NRDC
considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent
exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the
official beach season, if any.
What Are Florida's Sampling Practices?
Monitoring occurs year-round, but the peak season is from April to mid-September. In 2011, Florida
eliminated state funding for beachwater quality monitoring, and the program is now funded only by
the federal BEACH Act grant. However, in 2012, several county health departments used their own
funds to conduct increased sampling beyond the program baseline.
The beachwater quality monitoring program is administered by the Florida DOH, which determines
sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices throughout the
state. Samples are collected 18 inches below the surface in water that is approximately 36 inches
deep, usually in the morning. Beaches are prioritized for monitoring on a county-by-county basis.
Priority for monitoring is given to beaches that are more heavily used, that have potential pollution
sources nearby, and that are affected by stormwater runoff. While this ensures that the most critical
beaches in each county are monitored, there are a wide variety of beach characteristics in Florida,
and beaches chosen for monitoring in one county may not be as important as those left unmonitored
in another county.
Sampling frequency does not increase after an advisory is issued.
Total advisory days for 232 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less increased 22% to 2,328
days in 2012 from 1,915 days in 2011. In previous years there were 3,052 days in 2010, 2,201 days
in 2009, 2,067 days in 2008, 3,139 days in 2007, 2,686 days in 2006, and 2,991 days in 2005. In
addition, in 2012 there were 6 extended events (378 days total) and 1 permanent event (113 days
total). Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive
weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 232 events
lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 100% (2,328) of advisory days were due to monitoring that
revealed elevated bacteria levels.
How Does Florida Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The DOH does not have authority to close Florida beaches; advisories are issued instead. Near-realtime data are posted on the Healthy Beaches web page; in addition, when there is an advisory, signs
are posted at the beach and the media is alerted.
Florida applies the U.S. EPA’s marine designated beach area criterion for enterococcus: a singlesample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml; for beaches that are sampled at least weekly, a 5-week
geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml may also be used. In the past, Florida also applied a fecal coliform
single-sample maximum standard of 400 cfu/100 ml. However, the state stopped using the fecal
coliform standard when state funding was eliminated in July 2011. Some counties are subsidizing
their beach monitoring and are continuing to monitor for fecal coliform and to apply the 400 cfu/100
ml standard.
In most coastal counties, officials issue an advisory if a standard is exceeded. However, if the county
can conduct follow-up sampling within the same week, the beach may be resampled before an
advisory is issued. If the resample confirms an exceedance, an advisory is issued.
Pinellas County has a preemptive rainfall standard for two of its marine beaches: Maximo and North
Shore. Maximo Beach’s standard is 0.8 inch within a 24-hour period, and North Shore Beach’s
standard is 1 inch within a 24-hour period. Martin County has a preemptive standard based on
turbidity. Most counties will warn against swimming after a sewage spill until sampling results are
satisfactory. After a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall, precautionary advisories are issued.
Additionally, Florida tracks the presence of harmful algal blooms in marine water and freshwater and
reports findings on line.
Florida 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Bay
8th Street, Mexico Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Bahama Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Bay County Public Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Beach Drive
1
2/month
21
24%
50
view
Bay
Beckrich Road (Edgewater Gulf
Beach)
1
2/month
21
14%
21
view
Bay
Belaire Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Bid-A-Wee Beach
1
2/month
20
10%
14
view
Bay
Carl Gray Park
1
2/month
19
11%
21
view
Bay
Delwood Beach
1
2/month
20
15%
28
view
Bay
Dupont Bridge
1
2/month
19
11%
35
view
Bay
East County Line (Mexico
Beach)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
El Centro Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Florida Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Gulf Lagoon Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Gulf Resort Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Hollywood Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Laguna Beach
1
2/month
21
19%
35
view
Bay
Long Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Lullwater Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Magnolia Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Bay
Miramar Heights Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Open Sands Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Panama City Beach Pier
(Edgewater Beach)
1
2/month
19
5%
7
view
Bay
Rivera Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Santa Monica Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Seltzer Park (Silver Sands
Beach)
1
2/month
19
5%
7
view
Bay
Shell Island Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Spy Glass Drive (Biltmore
Beach)
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Bay
St. Andrews State Park Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Sunnyside Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Sunset Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Suntime Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bay
Tyndall Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
West County Line (Carrilon
Beach)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Aquarina Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Bicentennial Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Bonsteel Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Canaveral National
Seashore/Playalinda Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Canova Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Cherrie Down Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Cocoa Beach Minuteman
Causeway
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Brevard
Cocoa Beach Pier
1
2/month
19
5%
0
view
Brevard
Coconut Point Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Fischer Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Hightower Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Brevard
Indialantic Boardwalk
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Brevard
Jetty Park (Cape Canaveral)
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Brevard
Lori Wilson Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Main Entrance Beach (PAFB)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
NCO Club Beach (PAFB)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
North Area Beach (PAFB)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Ocean Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Officers Club Beach (PAFB)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Paradise Beach
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Brevard
Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB)
North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Pelican Beach Park
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Brevard
Robert P. Murkshe Memorial
Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Seagull Park (PAFB)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Sebastian Inlet North
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Brevard
Shepard Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Brevard
Spessard Holland Beach Park
(North)
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Broward
Bahia Mar
1
2/month
28
7%
0
view
Broward
Birch State Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Broward
Commercial Blvd
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Broward
Custer Street
1
2/month
31
16%
4
view
Broward
Dania Beach
1
2/month
28
7%
4
view
Broward
Deerfield Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Broward
Deerfield Beach SE 10th Street
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Broward
George English Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Broward
Hallandale Beach Blvd
1
2/month
28
7%
4
view
Broward
Harrison Street
1
2/month
29
10%
4
view
Broward
Hillsboro Inlet
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Broward
John Lloyd State Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Broward
Minnesota Street
1
2/month
27
4%
0
view
Broward
NE 16 Street, Pompano
1
2/month
27
4%
0
view
Broward
North Beach Park Intercoastal
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Broward
Oakland Park Boulevard
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Broward
Pompano Beach
1
2/month
27
4%
0
view
Broward
Sebastian Street
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Broward
Van Buren Street
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Boca Grande
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Dotzler Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Englewood Mid Beach
1
1/week
50
2%
0
view
Charlotte
Englewood North
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Englewood South
1
1/week
52
6%
5
view
Charlotte
Palm Island North
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Charlotte
Palm Island South
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Ponce De Leon Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Port Charlotte Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Port Charlotte Beach East
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Charlotte
Port Charlotte Beach West
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Citrus
Fort Island Gulf Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1st Avenue North Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1st Avenue South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
2nd Avenue North Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
2nd Avenue South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
3rd Avenue North Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
3rd Avenue South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
4th Avenue North Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
4th Avenue South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
10 Thousand Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
32nd Avenue Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Admiralty & Shores Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Barefoot Beach State Reserve
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Broad Avenue Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Caxambas Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Central Avenue
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Clam Pass
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Clam Pass Park North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Clam Pass Park South
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Cutlass Cove Beach & Club
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Denor-Wiggins State
Recreation Area
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Doctor's Pass
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Gordon Pass Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Hideaway Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Horizon Way Beach (AKA
Parkshore Beach)
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Keewaydin Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Lely Barefoot Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Lowdermilk Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Naples Beach Club
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Naples Lake Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Naples Pier
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Pelican Bay Beach North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Pelican Bay Beach South
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Pelican Bay Restaurant and
Club
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Port Royal Beach & Club
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Residence Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Shore Drive Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Collier
South Marco Beach (AKA. Smb
Access)
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
The Moorings
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Tigertail Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Vanderbilt Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Collier
Vedado Way Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Villa Mare Ln Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Wiggins Pass North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Collier
Wiggins Pass State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Dixie
Shired Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Duval
15th Street Access
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
19th Street Access
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
30th Avenue Access
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
Atlantic Blvd Acess
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
Beach Blvd Access
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
Hanna Park
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
Hopkins Street Access
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
Huguenot Park
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Duval
North Little Talbot Island
1
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Duval
South Little Talbot Island
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Escambia
Bayou Chico
1
2/month
20
30%
63
view
Escambia
Bayview Park
1
1/week
53
45%
112
view
Escambia
Big Lagoon State Park
1
2/month
20
15%
12
view
Escambia
County Park East
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Escambia
County Park West
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Escambia
Fort Mcree Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Fort Pickens
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Johnson Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Johnson Beach Sound Side
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Navy Point (Bayou Grande)
1
2/month
19
16%
30
view
Escambia
Navy Point South
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Opal Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Pensacola (Casino) Beach
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Escambia
Perdido Key State Park
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Escambia
Quietwater Beach (Santa Rosa
Sound)
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Escambia
Quietwater Beach Picnic Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Sabine Yacht and Racket
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Escambia
Sanders Beach
1
1/week
53
8%
21
view
Escambia
Santa Rosa Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Flagler
Gamble Rogers State Park
1
2/month
23
0%
0
view
Flagler
Hammock
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Flagler
Marineland
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Flagler
North Flagler Pier
1
2/month
23
0%
0
view
Flagler
Picknickers (Beverly Beach)
1
2/month
23
0%
0
view
Flagler
South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Flagler
South Flagler Pier
1
2/month
23
0%
0
view
Flagler
Varn Park
1
2/month
23
0%
0
view
Flagler
Washington Oaks State Park
1
2/month
23
0%
0
view
Franklin
Alligator Point
1
2/month
18
6%
13
view
Franklin
Carrabelle Beach
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Franklin
Peninsular Point Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Franklin
St. George Island 11th Street
East
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Franklin
St. George Island 11th Street
West
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Franklin
St. George Island Franklin
Street
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Franklin
St. George Island State Park
1
2/month
0
0%
0
-
Gulf
Beacon Hill Beach
1
2/month
19
16%
18
view
Gulf
Cape San Blas
1
2/month
18
6%
0
view
Gulf
Dixie Belle Beach
1
2/month
17
28%
71
view
Gulf
Highway 98 Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Gulf
Lookout Beach
1
2/month
19
21%
32
view
Gulf
Monument Beach
1
2/month
18
72%
58 (113)
view
Gulf
St. Joe Beach
1
2/month
19
32%
60
view
Hernando
Pine Island
1
none
19
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Hillsborough
Apollo Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Hillsborough
Bahia Beach
1
1/week
46
7%
19
view
Hillsborough
Ben T. Davis North
1
1/week
47
13%
56
view
Hillsborough
Ben T. Davis South
1
1/week
47
17%
63
view
Hillsborough
Cypress Point North
1
1/week
46
7%
28
view
Hillsborough
Cypress Point South
1
1/week
46
9%
28
view
Hillsborough
Davis Island
1
1/week
46
9%
27
view
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Hillsborough Mcdill Air Force Base Beaches
Hillsborough
Picnic Island North
1
1/week
43
12%
36
view
Hillsborough
Picnic Island South
1
1/week
44
7%
29
view
Hillsborough
Simmons Park
1
1/week
46
7%
14
view
Indian River
Amber Sands Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Coconut Point Sebastian Inlet
1
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Indian River
Conn Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Flame Vine Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Golden Sands Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Humiston Beach
1
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Indian River
Jaycee Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Riomar Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Round Island Beach Park
1
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Indian River
Seagrape Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Seahorse Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Sebastian Inlet South Side
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Sexton Plaza
1
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Indian River
South Beach Park
1
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Indian River
Tracking Station Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Treasure Shores Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Turtle Trail Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Indian River
Wabasso Beach Park
1
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Lee
Boca Grande Light
House/Seagrape Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Lee
Bonita Beach Park
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Bowditch Point Beach
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Lee
Bowman's Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Cape Coral Yacht Club
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Lee
Cayo Costa State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Fulgar St Beach Access Sanibel
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Holiday Inn Public Beach
Access Ft Myers Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Little Hickory Beach Park
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Lovers Key State Park
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Lynn Hall Memorial Park
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Lee
North Captiva Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Public Access #34 - Ft Myers
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Public Beach Access #17 - Ft
Myers Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Public Beach Access #23 - Ft
Myers Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Sanibel Beach Access #4
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Sanibel Causeway Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Sanibel Lighthouse Park Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
South Seas Captiva
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
South Seas Plantation Captiva
- Redfish Pass
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Southern Tip Access Fort
Myers Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lee
Tarpon Bay Road Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Lee
Turner Beach/Blind Pass
Beach
1
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Levy
Cedar Key Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Levy
Yankeetown Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Manatee
Bay Front Park North
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Manatee
Bay Front Park South
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Manatee
Bradenton Beach
1
2/month
28
4%
0
view
Manatee
City of Anna Maria Access
(Anna Maria Island)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Manatee
Coquina Beach North
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Manatee
Coquina Beach South
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Manatee
Emerson Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Manatee
Longboat Key
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Manatee
Manatee Public Beach North
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Manatee
Manatee Public Beach South
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Manatee
Palma Sola North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Manatee
Palma Sola South
1
2/month
29
7%
5
view
Manatee
Whitney Beach
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Martin
Alex's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Bathtub Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Martin
Bathtub Reef
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Blowing Rocks
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Bob Graham Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Bryan Mawr
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Chastain Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Fletcher Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Glasscock
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Hobe Sound Public Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Martin
Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge
1
2/month
28
7%
0
view
Martin
House of Refuge
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Jensen Beach Causeway
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Jensen Beach Causeway East
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Martin
Jensen Public Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Martin
Roosevelt Bridge
1
2/month
32
25%
0 (84)
view
Martin
Saint Lucie Inlet State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Sandsprint Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Stokes
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Martin
Stuart Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Martin
Stuart Causeway
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Martin
Tiger Shores Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Martin
Virginia Forest
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
53rd Street - Miami Beach
1
1/week
54
4%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Cape Florida Park
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Collins Park-21st Street
1
1/week
54
4%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Crandon Park - South
1
1/week
54
6%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Crandon Park-Key Biscayne
1
1/week
55
5%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Golden Beach
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Haulover Beach
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Haulover Beach - North
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Hobie Beach (AKA. Dog
Beach)
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Homestead Bay Front Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Key Biscayne Beach
1
none
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
North Shore Ocean Terrace
1
1/week
57
9%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Oleta State Park
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
South Beach Park
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Sunny Isles Beach - Samson
Park
1
1/week
52
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Sunny Isles Beach-Pier Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Surfside Beach - 93rd Street
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Virginia Beach
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Miami-Dade
Windsurfer Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
18 Mile Stretch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Anne's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Atlanta Shores
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Bahia Honda Bayside
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Monroe
Bahia Honda Oceanside
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Monroe
Bahia Honda Sandspur
1
2/month
26
4%
13
view
Monroe
Banana Bay Resort - Marathon
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Buccaneer
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Monroe
Casa Clara
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Casa Marina
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Cheeca Lodge Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Coco Plum Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Craig Key Roadside
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Curry Hammock
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Dog Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Dolphin Research Center
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Fiesta Key Campground
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Founder's Park Beach
1
2/month
26
4%
14
view
Monroe
Ft. Zachary Taylor
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Monroe
Harry Harris County Park
1
2/month
26
8%
27
view
Monroe
Hawks Cay Resort
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Higgs Beach
1
2/month
26
4%
12
view
Monroe
Holiday Inn Beachside
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Islamorada Public Library
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
John Pennecamp State Park
Far Beach
1
none
0
0%
31
view
Monroe
John Pennekamp State Park
Cannon Beach
1
2/month
26
8%
0
view
Monroe
Kennedy Dr & N Roosevelt
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Key West Beach Club
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Long Key State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Monroe County Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
N Roosevelt/Cow Key
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Reach Resort
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Rest Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Sea Oats Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Simonton Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Smathers Beach
1
2/month
26
12%
40
view
Monroe
Smathers Beach East
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Sombrero Beach
1
2/month
26
8%
26
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Monroe
South Beach
1
2/month
26
8%
26
view
Monroe
Sunset Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
The Islander Beach Resort
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
The Moorings
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Valhalla Beach Resort
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Veteran's Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Westin Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Alachua Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Allen Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Amelia Island Plantation (Aip)
Beach Club
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
American Beach
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
Bill Melton Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Burney Park Beach Front
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Fort Clinch Beach
1
2/month
3
0%
0
view
Nassau
Fort Clinch Riverside
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Hutchins Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Jasmine Street
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
John Robas Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Kissimmee Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Main Beach
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
Manatee Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Mizell Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
N. Casino Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
New York Beach Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
North Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Ocean Street
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
Ozello Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Peter's Point
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
Piper Dunes (Aip Beach)
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
S. Casino Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Sadler Road
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Nassau
Scott Road Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Simmons Road
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
South End
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
South End Bridge
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Summer Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Suwannee Beach Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Bay Drive
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Beasley State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Okaloosa
Bluewater Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Brackin Wayside
1
1/week
41
20%
55
view
Okaloosa
Camp Timpoochee
1
none
22
23%
35
view
Okaloosa
Cinco Food
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Clement-Taylor
1
1/week
17
28%
35
view
Okaloosa
Dana Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
East Pass
1
1/week
39
28%
64
view
Okaloosa
El Matador
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Eldridge Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Florida Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Garniers
1
1/week
41
83%
68 (126)
view
Okaloosa
Gulf Island National Seashore
1
1/week
40
30%
91
view
Okaloosa
Henderson State Park Beach
1
1/week
41
15%
41
view
Okaloosa
Holiday Isle Aegean
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Hurlburt Campground
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Hurlburt Marina
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
James Lee Park Beach
1
1/week
41
15%
55
view
Okaloosa
Joes Bayou
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Laguana Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Okaloosa
Landing
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Okaloosa
Lincoln Park
1
1/week
40
45%
119
view
Okaloosa
Lions Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Okaloosa
Liza Jackson Park
1
1/week
40
50%
121
view
Okaloosa
Longwood Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Marlers Park
1
1/week
40
20%
62
view
Okaloosa
Maxwell-Gunter
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Meigs Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
NCO Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Norreigo Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Okaloosa Island Beach Access
#1
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
#2
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
#3
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
#4
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
#5
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
#6
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
#7
1
1/week
18
17%
28
view
Okaloosa
Parrish Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Pocahantas Drive
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Poquito Park
1
1/week
40
38%
50 (49)
view
Okaloosa
Postal Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Rickey Avenue
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Rocky Bayou (Fred Gannon
1
1/week
41
61%
42 (119)
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
State Park)
Okaloosa
Rocky Creek Campground
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Seashore Beachwalk
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Okaloosa
Seaview
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Star Drive
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
US Army Rec Center
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Valparaiso Blvd
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Walk Edge
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
Weekley Bayou
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Okaloosa
White Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Boynton Beach Municipal
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Carlin Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Coral Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Delray Beach (AKA Sandoway
Park)
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Dubois Park
1
2/month
27
4%
2
view
Palm Beach
Gulfstream Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
John D. Mcarthur
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Juno Beach Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Jupiter Beach Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Lake Worth (AKA Kreusler)
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Lantana Municipal
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Loggerhead Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Ocean Inlet Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Ocean Reef Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Palm Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Palm Beach Shores
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Peanut Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Phil Foster Park
1
2/month
27
4%
2
view
Palm Beach
Phipps
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Palm Beach
Red Reef Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Riviera Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
South Inlet Park
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Palm Beach
Spanish River
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Pasco
Anclote River Park Beach
1
2/month
19
5%
5
view
Pasco
Brasher Park Beach
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Pasco
Energy and Marine Center
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pasco
Gulf Harbors Beach
1
2/month
18
6%
13
view
Pasco
Oelsner Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pasco
Robert J. Strickland
1
2/month
18
6%
13
view
Pasco
Robert K. Rees Park Beach
1
2/month
18
6%
13
view
Pinellas
Bay Vista Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Belleair Beach - Morgan Drive
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Belleair Causeway-Intercoastal
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Bermuda Bay Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Clearwater Beach (3rd St)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Clearwater Beach - Carlouel
Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Clearwater Beach - Rockaway
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Courtney Campbell Causeway
1
2/month
26
8%
13
view
Pinellas
Crystal Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Dunedin Marina Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Fort Desoto 1/2 Way B/N Fort &
N. Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Fort Desoto - East Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Fort Desoto North Beach
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Fred Howard Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Ft Desoto Park - Pier/Fort
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Gandy Boulevard
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Gulfport - East Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Gulfport - Osgood Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Gulfport - West Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pinellas
Honeymoon Island Beach
1
2/month
26
4%
3
view
Pinellas
Honeymoon Island Causeway
(South)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Indian Rocks Beach
1
2/month
27
7%
3
view
Pinellas
Indian Rocks Beach - Central
Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Indian Shores Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Lassing Park - 19th Ave SE
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Madeira Beach
1
2/month
27
7%
3
view
Pinellas
Madeira Beach - 129th Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Maximo Park - East Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Maximo Park - West Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Mobbly Bayou Preserve
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
North Redington Beach - 169th
Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
North Shore - North Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
North Shore Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Pass-A-Grille - 19th Ave
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Pass-A-Grille Beach
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Pinellas
R.E. Olds Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Redington Beach - 158th Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Redington Shores - 175th Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Redington Shores - 182nd Ave
1
2/month
27
7%
3
view
Pinellas
Safety Harbor Pier
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Sand Key
1
2/month
27
7%
3
view
Pinellas
St Pete Beach - 34th Ave (The
Don)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
St Pete Beach - 46th Ave
(Park)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Sunset Beach (TI) - 82nd Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Sunset Beach (TI) - 89th Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Sunset Beach - Tarpon Springs
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Pinellas
Treasure Island - 103rd Ave
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pinellas
Treasure Island Beach
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Floridatown Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Garcon Point Location 3
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Homeport
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Juana's Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Navarre Beach Pier
1
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Navarre Beach West
1
2/month
20
5%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Navarre Park
1
2/month
21
10%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Redfish Point
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Shoreline Park
1
1/week
21
10%
0
view
Santa Rosa
Woodlawn Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Avenida Del Mare Access #11
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Avenida Messina Access #2
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Avenida Navarra Access #14
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Blackburn Point Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Blind Pass Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Brohard Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Calle De La Siesta, Access #7
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Calle Del Inverno Access #10
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Caspersen Public Beach
1
1/week
56
4%
0
view
Sarasota
Lido Casino Beach
1
1/week
70
16%
9
view
Sarasota
Longboat Access #1
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Longboat Access #2
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Longboat Access #3
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Longboat Key Access
1
1/week
56
4%
0
view
Sarasota
Manasota Beach
1
1/week
50
2%
0
view
Sarasota
Nokomis Public Beach
1
1/week
56
4%
0
view
Sarasota
North Jetty Park Beach
1
1/week
59
8%
2
view
Sarasota
North Lido Beach
1
1/week
53
2%
0
view
Sarasota
Ocean Blvd Access #5
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Palmer Point Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Plaza De Las Palmas 1,
Access #8
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Plaza De Las Palmas #9
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Sarasota
Point O' Rocks
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Quick Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Ringling Causeway
1
1/week
59
5%
2
view
Sarasota
Service Club Park
1
1/week
52
2%
0
view
Sarasota
Shell Road Access #1
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Siesta Key Public Beach
1
1/week
65
8%
0
view
Sarasota
South Jetty Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
South Lido Beach
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Stickney Point Access #12
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Sarasota
Turtle Beach
1
1/week
59
7%
2
view
Sarasota
Venice Fishing Pier
1
1/week
56
4%
0
view
Sarasota
Venice Public Beach
1
1/week
60
13%
5
view
St Johns
Anastasia State Park (St.
Augustine Beach)
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
St Johns
Crescent Beach
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
St Johns
Matanzas Inlet
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Johns
Mickler's Landing
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
St Johns
Solano (Ponte Vedra Beach)
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Johns
St. Augustine Beach A Street
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
St Johns
St. Augustine Beach Ocean
Trace
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
St Johns
Vilano Beach
1
2/month
17
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Avalon Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Blind Creek
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Blind Creek Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Blue Heron Blvd Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Coconut Drive Access
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
F Douglass Memorial Park
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Fort Pierce Inlet/North Jetty
Park
1
2/month
27
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Gulfstream Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Hermans Bay
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Inlet State Park @ Ocean
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Inlet State Park @ River
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
St Lucie
Jaycee Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
John Brooks Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
K Bergalis Memorial Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Little Jim Bridge
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Middle Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Normandy Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Pepper Park
1
2/month
28
4%
0
view
St Lucie
Porpoise Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
South Beach Boardwalk
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
South Causeway At Boat Ramp
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
South Jetty Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Surfside Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
St Lucie
Walton Rocks Beach
1
2/month
28
4%
0
view
St Lucie
Waveland Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Taylor
Cedar Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Taylor
Dark Island
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Taylor
Dekle Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Taylor
Hagen's Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Taylor
Keaton Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Volusia
27th Street, New Smryna
Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
Beach Street
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Volusia
Bicentennial Park, Ormond
Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
Dunlawton, Daytona Beach
Shores
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
Flagler Avenue, New Smryna
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Volusia
Florida Shores Blvd
1
2/month
26
0%
0
-
Volusia
Granada, Ormond Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
International Speedway,
Daytona Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
Main, Daytona Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
North Jetty, Ponce Inlet
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
Oceanview Way, Ponce Inlet
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Volusia
Seabreeze, Daytona Beach
1
2/month
26
0%
0
view
Volusia
Silver Beach, Daytona Beach
1
2/month
27
4%
0
view
Volusia
South Jetty, New Smryna
Beach
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Volusia
Torinita, Wilbur by the Sea
1
2/month
25
0%
0
view
Volusia
Villa Way
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Wakulla
Mash Island
1
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Wakulla
Shell Point Beach
1
2/month
16
0%
0
view
Walton
Blue Mountain Beach Access
1
2/month
41
27%
29
view
Walton
Cessna Park (Class II)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Choctaw Beach County Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
County Park
1
2/month
36
14%
9
view
Walton
Dune Allen Beach Access
1
2/month
36
11%
9
view
Walton
Eastern Lake Beach Access
1
2/month
40
18%
9
view
Walton
Eastern Lake Outfall
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Grayton Beach Access
1
2/month
42
26%
38
view
Walton
Grayton Beach State
Recreation Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Holly Street Beach Access
1
2/month
43
28%
36
view
Walton
Inlet Beach Access (TDC
Beach Access)
1
2/month
42
21%
13
view
Walton
Legion Park (Class II)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Rosemary Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Santa Rosa Beach Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Walton
South Wall Street Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Western Lake Outfall
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Walton
Wheeler Point
1
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: Georgia
Georgia 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Georgia has 41 public beaches along 118 miles of Atlantic coast and barrier island shores. The
Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources administers Georgia's
beach monitoring and notification program.
Georgia?
Continuing Drought
Georgia's coast continued to experience moderate to extreme drought conditions throughout 2012.
Beachwater quality tends to be better during times of drought because the flow of contaminated
stormwater runoff is reduced.
In 2012, Georgia reported 41 coastal beaches. Of these, 17 (41%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week and 9 (22%) once a month; 15 (37%) were not assigned a monitoring
frequency. In 2012, 5% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily
maximum bacterial standard of 104 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent
exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012 were St. Andrews Picnic Area (Jekyll)
(35%) and Jekyll Clam Creek (16%), both in Glynn County. Glynn County had the highest
exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (7%), followed by Chatham (1%). No
samples taken in McIntosh County exceeded the standard. NRDC considers all reported samples
individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This
includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if any.
What Are Georgia's Sampling Practices?
Most monitored beaches are sampled year-round. The Coastal Resources Division determines
sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices throughout the
state. Samples are taken in about 3 feet of water (from wave top) at a depth of 15 to 30 centimeters.
Beaches that have large nearby populations, tourist accommodations, easy accessibility, and
numerous amenities are monitored the most frequently.
The monitoring frequency for a beach increases when an exceedance occurs. States that monitor
more frequently after an exceedance is found will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and
fewer advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an
exceedance was found.
Total advisory days for 18 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased by 50% to 124
days in 2012 from 248 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 217 days in 2010, 209 days in 2009,
and 72 days in 2008. In addition, there were 3 extended events (130 days total) and 2 permanent
events (497 days) in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more
than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. All
advisory days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
How Does Georgia Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Georgia's beachwater monitoring program issues advisories but not closings. The state applies the
EPA standard for enterococcus of a single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml and a 30-day, fivesample geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. When either the single-sample or geometric mean
standard is exceeded, the Coastal Resources Division notifies the Georgia Department of Health
and the local beach-management entity. Upon receiving this notification, the local entity issues an
advisory. Advisory information is available on the Coastal Resources Division website. There is no
protocol for forgoing an advisory when an exceedance is found, and resampling to confirm an
exceedance is not done before an advisory is issued.
The state has concluded that its beachwater quality does not appear to correlate strongly with any
measured environmental parameters, including rainfall. Thus, Georgia has no preemptive rainfall
advisory standards and does not make use of predictive models for issuing beach advisories.
However, permanent advisories are issued for beaches that have ongoing water quality issues. For
example, Kings Ferry has been under permanent advisory since 2006. The health department can
issue a closing in the case of an immediate threat to public health, such as a sewage spill. Further, a
volunteer network monitors phytoplankton in Georgia's estuaries, providing information necessary in
the event of a harmful algal bloom.
Georgia 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Camden
Cumberland
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Camden
Little Cumberland
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chatham
Bradley (Ossabaw)
2
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Chatham
Kings Ferry
2
none
3
33%
0 (365)
view
Chatham
Little Tybee Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chatham
Middle Ossabaw
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chatham
Skidaway Narrows
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Chatham
South Ossabaw
2
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Chatham
Tybee Island Middle
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Chatham
Tybee Island North
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Chatham
Tybee Island Polk St.
1
1/week
52
4%
6
view
Chatham
Tybee Island South
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Chatham
Tybee Island Strand
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Chatham
Wassaw Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chatham
Williamson Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Glynn
4h Camp (Jekyll)
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Glynn
5th St. Crossover (SSI)
1
1/week
53
6%
17
view
Glynn
12 St. Goulds Inlet (SSI)
1
1/week
52
4%
4
view
Glynn
Blythe Island Regional Park
Sandbar
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Glynn
Capt. Wylly (Jekyll) Near
Beachview
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Glynn
Convention Center (Jekyll)
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Glynn
East Beach Old Coast
Guard (SSI)
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Glynn
Jekyll Clam Creek
1
1/week
63
16%
78
view
Glynn
Jekyll North At Dexter Lane
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Glynn
Little St. Simons
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Glynn
Massengale (SSI)
1
1/week
51
2%
2
view
Glynn
Pelican Spit (Off Sea
Island)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Glynn
Rainbow Bar (Little SSI)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Glynn
Reimolds Pasture (Little
SSI)
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Glynn
Sea Island North
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Glynn
Sea Island South
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Glynn
South Dunes (Jekyll)
1
1/week
50
0%
0
view
Glynn
St. Andrews Picnic Area
(Jekyll)
1
1/week
84
35%
15 (262)
view
Glynn
St. Simons Island
Lighthouse
1
1/week
51
2%
2
view
Liberty
St. Catherines Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mcintosh
Blackbeard Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mcintosh
Cabretta (Sapelo)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Mcintosh Contentment Bluff Sandbar
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Mcintosh
Dallas Bluff Sandbar
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Mcintosh
Nanny Goat (Sapelo)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mcintosh
Wolf Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: Hawaii
Hawaii 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary


Hawaii has almost 400 public beaches stretching along nearly 300 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline.
The beachwater monitoring program is administered by the Clean Water Branch of the Hawaii
Department of Health (DOH).
Hawaii?
Extremely Dry Weather
2012 was a very dry year for Hawaii. As the state continued to suffer a multiyear drought, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture declared the entire state a federal drought disaster area. Part of the
reason for the drought is the continuing of El Niño conditions, a warming of the waters in the
equatorial Pacific, which usually results in less rainfall in Hawaii. While agriculture and drinking water
supplies suffer during droughts, beachwater quality tends to improve because less rain results in
less pollution reaching the ocean in stormwater runoff.
Identifying Sources of Contamination in Nawiliwili Bay and Hanalei Bay
In 2012, the DOH worked with Stanford University and the U.S. Geological Survey to identify the
sources of fecal indicator bacteria in the waters of Nawiliwili and Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai.
In addition to using a genetic technique called quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to
identify the species responsible for the bacteria found in bay waters, water samples will be analyzed
for pharmaceutical and waste indicator compounds using USGS Schedule 2080 and 4433
respectively. With emphasis on two human pharmaceuticals, carbamazepine (an anticonvulsant)
and sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic)that has shown up at other beaches in Hawaii. These
pharmaceuticals are present in wastewater but are not destroyed during wastewater treatment, so
detecting them indicates the presence of wastewater effluent. As part of this project, the Kauai
chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has assisted with biweekly water sampling for nutrients and
weekly sampling for fecal indicator bacteria in the Hanalei Bay watershed. Surfrider has been
collecting samples from nine sites in the watershed, and its data will be used to complement the
pharmaceutical data and the information gathered about the fecal indicator bacteria in Nawiliwili Bay.
Pharmaceutical sampling has been completed and data received from USGS. Genetic sampling has
been completed and should be receiving final sampling genetic data soon. A report will be
completed in February 2014.
Investigating Wastewater Disposal in Injection Wells as a Source of
Contamination in Maui Waters
The Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility, operated by Maui County, uses injection wells to
dispose of sewage that has undergone secondary treatment. Solids, organic matter, and residual
suspended matter are removed from this treated wastewater, but the water was not disinfected. It
was suspected that the wastewater injected into these wells was making its way to the ocean
through underwater seeps. In 2011, the EPA required Maui County to increase wastewater
disinfection prior to injection. Maui is on schedule to achieve full ultraviolet disinfection of all
wastewater at the Lahaina facility by December 2013.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, University of Hawaii, and DOH have studied the effluent flow
from Lahaina's injection wells to nearshore ocean waters since July 2011. The results of this project
so far indicate that there is a hydrologic connection between the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation
Facility injection wells and the ocean seeps, and that wastewater being injected into the wells is
finding its way to the ocean. However, the DOH has detected bacterial indicators at very low levels
(detectability levels). The University of Hawaii final draft tracer study report has been completed in
June 2013 and a final is due shortly. DOH seep sampling will continue through December 2013 and
a report will be completed in February 2014.
In 2012, Hawaii reported 470 coastal beaches and beach segments, of which 39 (8%) were
assigned a monitoring frequency of more than once a week, 108 (23%) once a month, and 2 (<1%)
less than once a month; 321 (68%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 3% of all
reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 104
colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum
standard in 2012 were Hanamaulu Beach Park in Kauai County (75%); Waiulaula in Hawaii County
(42%); and Kalihiwai Bay (21%), Anini Beach (17%), and Wailua Beach (13%) in Kauai County.
Kauai County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (7%),
followed by Honolulu (3%), Hawaii (2%), and Maui (2%). NRDC considers all reported samples
What Are Hawaii's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season in this tropical state is year-round. Sampling practices, locations, standards,
and notification protocols and practices are uniform throughout the state. Samples are taken 1 foot
below the surface in water that is knee to waist deep. Hawaii's beach monitoring program prioritizes
sampling efforts on the basis of risk of illness to swimmers and frequency of use. Tier 1 beaches are
Hawaii's important and threatened beaches; all (except those on Oahu) are monitored twice a week.
Tier 2 beaches are moderate-use beaches and are sampled once or twice a week for 6 month
rotation. If a Tier 2 beach shows periodic elevated counts for no obvious reason, the Kualoa
Protocol (multitracer waste water and nutrient source tracking methodology) is initiated to determine
the source of the bacteria levels. If a beach is unlikely to be contaminated and has consistently low
fecal indicator counts, then it is assigned Tier 3 status and is sampled at least once every 6 months.
If a warning is issued, daily monitoring is performed until bacteria levels no longer exceed action
levels, after which the beach is reopened. States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance
is found will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total warning/advisory days
than they would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an exceedance was found.
736 days in 2012 from 4,696 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 4,215 days in 2010, 2,352
days in 2009, 2,766 days in 2008. In addition, there were no permanent or extended events in 2012.
Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks;
permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 74 events lasting six
consecutive weeks or less, 98% (720) of closing/advisory days were preemptive due to heavy
rainfall, and 2% (16) were preemptive to due known sewage spills or leaks.
How Does Hawaii Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Hawaii's Department of Health does not have the authority to close beaches. Instead, it issues
warnings (for bacterial exceedances), sewage advisories (for known and suspected sewage spills),
and stormwater advisories. Warnings and advisories are posted online on the DOH website.
In 2009, Hawaii began using a single-sample maximum standard of 104 cfu/100ml (for beaches that
are not sampled at least five times a month) and a 30-day geometric mean standard of 35 cfu/100ml
(for beaches that are sampled at least five times a month). Hawaii also uses quantitative information
about the presence of Clostridium perfringens (a tracer for human sewage) when making beach
warning decisions.
At beaches that are monitored at least five times a month, a warning is posted online when
enterococcus exceeds the geometric mean standard and the Clostridium perfringens count
surpasses its level of action. When these two things occur, no overriding factors can be taken into
account before a warning is issued. At beaches that are monitored less than five times a month, as
with all beaches, an exceedance of the single-sample standard is noted on the program's website as
soon as sampling results are available, whether or not a warning is issued. By themselves,
exceedances of the single-sample standard (including repeat exceedances of the standard) rarely
result in a warning.
Preemptive rainfall advisories (brown water advisories) are issued when the National Weather
Service issues a flash flood warning and the beach monitoring program determines that stormwater
will cause water quality problems. When there is a storm event that does not generate a flood
warning but creates turbid waters with debris and possibly dead animals in nearshore waters, a
preemptive rainfall advisory may be issued. Brown water advisories can be issued statewide, islandwide, or for specific areas of one island.
If a sewage spill is suspected or if there are indications of human fecal contamination, a sign is
posted at the beach immediately and a sample is taken.
Hawaii 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Hawaii
2nd Beach (Next to Mahaiula)
2
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Anaeho'omalu Bay
1
2/week
72
1%
0
view
Hawaii
Analani Pond (Puala'a)
1
2/week
55
5%
0
view
Hawaii
Apua
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Banyan's Surfing Area
2
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Cape Kumukahi
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Coconut Island Park
2
1/month
25
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Green Sand Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Hakalau Co. Pk.
2
1/month
5
20%
0
view
Hawaii
Halape Shelter
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Hapuna Beach St. Rec. Area
2
1/month
20
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Hawaiian Beaches Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Hawaiian Paradise Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Heeia
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Hilo Bay (Boat Landing)
no
data
6/year
6
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Hilo Bayfront
1
2/week
90
2%
0
view
Hawaii
Ho'okena
2
1/month
15
7%
0
view
Hawaii
Holoholokai Beach
2
1/month
13
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Honaunau Bay
2
1/month
15
7%
0
view
Hawaii
Honokane Iki
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Honokane Nui
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Honokea
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Honokohau Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Honoli'i Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
55
11%
0
view
Hawaii
Honolulu Landing
3
none
0
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Hawaii
Honomalino Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Honopue
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Ice Pond (single point)
2
1/month
26
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Isaac Hale Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
James Kealoha Park
1
2/week
55
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Ka Lae (South Point)
2
1/month
1
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Ka'alu'alu Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Ka'iliki'i
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Ka'upulehu
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kahalu'u Beach Co. Pk.
1
2/week
73
3%
0
view
Hawaii
Kahuwai Bay
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Kailua Bay
1
2/week
86
1%
0
view
Hawaii
Kalahiki Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kalapana Beach (new) (Harry K.
Brown Beach Co. Pk.)
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kalu'e Pt.
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Kaluhika'a Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Kamakaokahonu
1
2/week
73
3%
0
view
Hawaii
Kamehame Hill
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Kamoa Pt.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kapa'a Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kapoho Bay
2
1/month
29
3%
0
view
Hawaii
Kapoho Beach Lots
no
data
1/year
2
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kapoho Tidepools (Vacationland)
2
1/month
28
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kapu'a Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kauhako Bay - Hookena
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Kauna'oa Beach
2
1/month
13
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kawa Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kawaihae Harbor
2
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Ke'ei
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kea'au
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Keahou Bay (Kona)
2
1/month
13
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Hawaii
Kealakekua Bay
no
data
none
11
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kealia Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Keaukaha Beach Park
2
1/month
27
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Keawaiki
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kehena
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Keokea Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Keone'ele Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kiholo Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Kolekole Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
5
20%
0
view
Hawaii
Kuki'o
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Lapakahi St. Hist. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Laupahoehoe Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Lehia Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Leleiwi Beach Co. Pk.
1
2/week
81
1%
0
view
Hawaii
MacKenzie State Rec. Area
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Mahai'ula Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Mahukona Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Makalawena
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Makole'a Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Manini Point Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Manini'owali
2
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Manuka Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Mau'umae Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Mauna Lani (Kalahuipua'a)
2
1/month
13
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Miloli'i Beach
2
1/month
15
7%
0
view
Hawaii
Nanawale Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Napo'apo'o Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Ninole
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Niumalu Beach Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Ohai'ula Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Old Kona Airport (Pawai)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Old Kona Airport St. Rec. Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Hawaii
Onekahakaha Beach Co. Pk.
1
2/week
78
1%
0
view
Hawaii
Onomea
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Pahoehoe Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Paiahaa
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Papa'i (King's Landing)
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Pelekane Bay
2
1/month
13
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Pine Trees
2
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Pohoiki Beach
2
1/month
13
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Pohue Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Pololu Valley
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Pu'u Hou
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Pu'uhonua Pt. (Pu'u o
Honaunau)
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Puako
1
2/week
73
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Pueo Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Punalu'u
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Radio Bay
2
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Reeds Bay Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Road to the Sea
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Spencer Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Wai'ahukini
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Waialea Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Waimanu Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Hawaii
Waipi'o Bay
2
1/month
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Waiulaula
2
1/month
12
42%
0
view
Hawaii
Wawaloli Beach
2
1/month
0
0%
0
view
Hawaii
White Sands Beach Co. Pk.
(Magic Sands)
2
1/month
33
0%
0
view
Hawaii
Whittington Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Honolulu Ala Moana Beach Co. Park, Ewa
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ala Moana Park, Center
1
2/week
29
7%
6
view
Honolulu
Ala Moana Park, D.H.
1
2/week
29
3%
6
view
Honolulu
Aukai Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Banzai
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Honolulu
Barbers Point Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Bellows Field Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
1
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Camp Harold Erdman
2
1/month
0
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Chun's Reef
1
1/month
10
10%
6
view
Honolulu
Diamond Head
2
1/month
1
0%
6
view
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu Diving area east of Reef Runway
Honolulu
Ehukai Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ewa Beach
1
1/month
0
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Ewa Beach Co. Park
2
none
5
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ewa Plantation Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Fort DeRussy Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Fort DeRussy Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Fort Hase Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Fort Kamehameha Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Gray's Beach
2
1/month
1
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Hale'iwa Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Halona Blowhole
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Hanaka'ilio Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Hanauma Bay
1
2/week
39
3%
6
view
Honolulu
Hau'ula Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Hawaiian Electric Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
He'eia
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Hickam Harbor Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Ihilani Honu
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ihilani Kohola
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ihilani Naia
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ihilani Ulua
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Iroquois Pt.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ka'a'awa Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ka'alawai Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ka'ena Pt.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kahala
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Honolulu
Kahala Hilton Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kahana Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kahanamoku Beach
1
2/week
48
6%
6
view
Honolulu
Kahanamoku Lagoon
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Kahe Pt. Beach Co. Pk.
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kahuku Golf Course
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kaiaka
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kaihalulu Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kailua Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Kailua Beach Middle
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kailua Beach Pk.
1
2/week
58
5%
6
view
Honolulu
Kaiona Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kaipapa'u Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kakaako Waterfront
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kalae'o'io Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kalama Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kalaniana'ole Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Kaloko (Queens) Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kaluahole Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kaluanui Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kane'ohe Bay
3
none
0
0%
3
view
Honolulu
Kanenelu Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kapaeloa Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kapi'olani Park
2
1/month
1
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Kaunala Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kaupo Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kawaiku'i Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kawailoa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kawela Bay
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ke'ehi Lagoon
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kea'au Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kealia Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Koke'e Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Honolulu
Koko Kai Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kokololio Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kualoa Co. Regional Park
1
1/month
10
10%
6
view
Honolulu
Kualoa Sugar Mill Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kuhio Beach Park
1
2/week
28
4%
6
view
Honolulu
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kuilima Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Kuli'ou'ou
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Laenani Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Laie Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Laniakea Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Lanikai
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Laniloa Peninsula (Beach)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Laukinui Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Lualualei Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ma'ili Beach Co. Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Magic Island Beach
1
2/week
48
2%
6
view
Honolulu
Magic Island East
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Maipalaoa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Makaha Beach Co. Park
1
1/month
5
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Makao Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Makapu'u Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
39
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Makaua Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Makua Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Malaekahana Bay
1
1/month
10
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Manner's Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Mauna Lahilahi Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Maunalua Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Maunalua Bay Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Mokule'ia Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Mokule'ia Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Nanaikapono Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Nanakuli Beach Co. Pk.
1
1/month
5
0%
6
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Honolulu
Nimitz Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Niu
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
North Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Ohikilolo Beach(Barking Sands)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
One'ula Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Oneawa Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Outrigger Canoe Club Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Pahipahi'alua Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Paiko Lagoon
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Papa'iloa Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Papaoneone Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Pearl Harbor - Middle Loch
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Piliokahe Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Pipeline, The
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Point Panic Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Poka'i Bay Beach Co. Pk.
1
1/month
5
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Pounders Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Pu'uiki
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Pu'uohulu Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Punalu'u Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Pupukea Beach Co. Pk.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Queen's Surf Beach Park
1
2/week
67
1%
6
view
Honolulu
Royal-Moana Beach
1
2/week
43
5%
6
view
Honolulu
Sand Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Sandy Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
39
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Sans Souci St. Rec. Area
1
2/week
46
2%
6
view
Honolulu
Sunset Beach
1
1/month
10
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Swanzy Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Tongg's Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Turtle Bay
3
none
0
0%
4
view
Honolulu
Ulehawa Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Wai'alae Beach Co. Park
1
1/month
1
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Wai'anae Kai Military
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Reservation Beach
Honolulu
Wai'anae Regional Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Waiahole Beach Co. Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Waiale'e
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Waikiki Beach Center
2
1/month
1
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Wailupe Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Waimanalo Bay St. Rec. Area
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
Waimanalo Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Waimanalo Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
43
5%
6
view
Honolulu
Waimea Bay Beach Co. Pk.
1
1/month
10
0%
6
view
Honolulu
War Memorial Natatorium
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Honolulu
Wawamalu Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Honolulu
White Plains Beach
1
1/month
5
0%
6
view
Honolulu
Yokohama Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
(Honopuwaiakua) Honopu Valley
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Ahukini Rec. Pier St. Pk.
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Aliomanu Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Anahola Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Anahola Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Anini Beach
2
1/month
12
17%
26
view
Kauai
Anini Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Barking Sands
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Beach House Beach
2
1/month
15
0%
26
view
Kauai
Black Pot Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Brennecke Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Donkey Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Gillin's Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Glass Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Ha'ena Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
26
0%
26
view
Kauai
Hanakapi'ai Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Hanalei Beach Co. Park
1
4/week
142
5%
26
view
Kauai
Hanama'ulu Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
16
75%
26
view
Kauai
Hanapepe Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Kauai
Haula Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kahili Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kalalau Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Kalapaki Beach
1
2/week
78
8%
35
view
Kauai
Kalihiwai Bay
2
1/month
14
21%
26
view
Kauai
Kapa'a Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
3
0%
26
view
Kauai
Kaupea Beach (Secret Beach)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kawailoa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Ke'e Beach
2
1/month
26
0%
26
view
Kauai
Kealia
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kekaha Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
21
5%
26
view
Kauai
Kepuhi Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kikiaola Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kilauea Pt. Nat. Wildlife Ref.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Kipu Kai
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Koloa Landing
2
1/month
3
33%
26
view
Kauai
Kukui'ula Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Larsens Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Lawa'i Kai
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Lucy Wright Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Lumaha'i Beach
2
1/month
27
7%
26
view
Kauai
Lydgate State Park
1
2/week
75
9%
26
view
Kauai
Maha'ulepu Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Miloli'I
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Moloa'a Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Na Pali Coast State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Nawiliwili Harbor
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Nawiwili Harbor-Coast Guard
Pier
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Ninini Pt.
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Niumalu Beach Park
3
none
3
100%
0
view
Kauai
Nu'alolo
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Kauai
Nukoli'I Beach Park
2
1/month
21
0%
26
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Kauai
Pacific Missile Range Facility
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Pakala (Makaweli)
2
1/month
2
100%
26
view
Kauai
Palama Beach (Nomilu)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Papa'a Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Pila'a Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Po'ipu Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
77
0%
26
view
Kauai
Polihale State Park
2
1/month
21
5%
26
view
Kauai
Port Allen
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Prince Kuhio Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Princeville
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Salt Pond Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
76
0%
26
view
Kauai
Sheraton Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Shipwreck Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Spouting Horn Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Tunnels Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Wahiawa Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Wai'ohai Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Wai'oli Beach Park
2
1/month
39
3%
26
view
Kauai
Waiakalua Iki Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Waiakalua Nui Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Waikoko Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Wailua Beach
2
1/month
16
13%
26
view
Kauai
Waimea Rec. Pier St. Pk.
2
1/month
2
50%
26
view
Kauai
Wainiha Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kauai
Waipouli
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Ahihi-kina'u Natural Area
Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Alaeloa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Awahua Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Awalua Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Fagans Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Father Jules Papa
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Fleming Beach North
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
H-Poko Papa
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Maui
H.P. Baldwin Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Halawa Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Halena Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Halepalaoa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Hamoa
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Hana Bay
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Hanaka'o'o Beach Co. Pk.
1
2/week
71
3%
0
view
Maui
Hata's
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Ho'okipa Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Honokeana Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Honokohau Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Honokowai Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
8
0%
0
view
Maui
Honolua Bay
2
1/month
2
50%
0
view
Maui
Honomanu Bay
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Honouli Malo'o
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Honouli Wai
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Huakini Bay
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Hulopo'e Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Iliopi'i Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Ka'anapali
2
1/month
24
0%
0
view
Maui
Ka'ili'ili Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kahalepohaku Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kahalui Harbor
1
2/week
73
4%
0
view
Maui
Kahana
2
1/month
4
25%
0
view
Maui
Kahemano Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kaihalulu Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kakahai'a Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kalae, South Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Maui
Kalama Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
22
0%
0
view
Maui
Kalepolepo Beach
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Kama'ole Beach 1
1
2/week
81
1%
0
view
Maui
Kama'ole Beach 2 (Ili'iliholo
Beach)
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Maui
Kama'ole Beach 3
1
2/week
73
0%
0
view
Maui
Kamaka'ipo Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kanaha Beach Co. Park
1
2/week
79
3%
0
view
Maui
Kanaio Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kanalukaha Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kapalua (Fleming's) Beach
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
Kapoli Beach Co. Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kapukahehu Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kapukuwahine Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kaunala Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kaunolu Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kaupoa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kawa'aloa Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kawakiu Bay (Nui)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Ke'anae
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kea'a Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Keawakapu Beach
2
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Maui
Keomuku Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Keonenui Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kepuhi Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kiowea Park (Kamehameha
Coconut Grove)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Koki Beach Park (VFW)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Kolo Wharf
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Ku'au Bay
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Kuiaha Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
La Perouse Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Lahaina Beach
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Launiupoko St. Wayside
1
2/week
68
0%
0
view
Maui
Leho'ula Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Lighthouse Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Lopa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Lower Pa'ia
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Ma'alaea Beach
1
2/week
75
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Maui
Mai Poina Oe lau Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
8
0%
0
view
Maui
Maka'alae Pt.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Makena Landing Beach
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Maui
Maliko Bay
2
1/month
4
25%
0
view
Maui
Malu'aka Beach
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Maui
Manele Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Mantokuji Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
McGregor Pt.
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Mo'omomi Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Mokapu Beach Park
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Mokulau
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Mokule'ia Beach
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
Murphy Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Naha Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Nahiku
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Napili Bay
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
Nu'u Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Olowalu
2
1/month
6
33%
0
view
Maui
Oneali'I Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Oneloa Bay Beach
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
Oneloa Beach (Big Beach)
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Oneuli Beach
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
Palauea Beach Park
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Maui
Papalaua
2
1/month
1
0%
0
view
Maui
Papaloa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Papohaku Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Paukukalo Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Pelekunu
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Pepeiaolepo Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Po'olau Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Po'olenalena Beach
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Maui
Po'olenalena Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Maui
Pohaku Mauliuli Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Maui
Polihua Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Polo Beach Park
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Maui
Pu'u ola'i (Small Beach)
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Pu'u Pehe Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Pu'unoa Beach
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Puamana Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
3
33%
0
view
Maui
Puko'o
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Punalau
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Sandy Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Shipwreck Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Spreckelsville
1
2/week
76
0%
0
view
Maui
St. Theresa's
1
2/week
80
1%
0
view
Maui
Ukumehame Beach Co. Pk.
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Ulua Beach Park
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Maui
Wahikuli State Wayside Park
2
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Maui
Wai'anapanapa State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Waiehu Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Maui
Waihe'e Beach Co. Park
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Maui
Waikoloa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Wailau
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Wailea Beach Park
1
2/week
72
0%
0
view
Maui
Waimaha'ihai Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Maui
Waipulani
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
State Summary: Illinois
Key Findings in Illinois
Illinois 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary



1 (<1%) wildlife
Illinois has 52 public swimming beaches along approximately 60 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) administers the state’s coastal beach monitoring
program.
Illinois?
Improved Water Quality at North Point Marina Beach
Beachwater quality at North Point Marina Beach in Lake County was historically poor; the yearly
percent exceedance rates from 2005 to 2011 ranged from 34% to 83%. In spring 2011, the Lake
County Health Department received Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to plant native
vegetation, restore the dunes, and remove invasive species with the goal of reducing the seagull
population and improving water quality. Although work is still ongoing (scheduled to be completed
fall 2013), the initial results are promising; the exceedance rate was 12% for the 2012 season.
Improved Water Quality at Elder Lane Beach
Elder Lane Beach previously had some of the highest exceedance rates in Illinois. In 2011,
beachwater monitoring samples exceeded state standards 54% of the time. The village of Winnetka
investigated and detected 15 private-home sewage systems that crossed into the stormwater
drainage system, which releases into Lake Michigan at Elder Lane. These sewage systems have
been repaired, and water quality in the area has improved: In 2012, Elder Lane Beach samples
exceeded standards 12% of the time.
Green Infrastructure Planned for Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach has historically suffered poor water quality. During the 2012 monitoring season, its
exceedance rate of 28% was the highest in Illinois. The Chicago Park District received a Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative grant in 2012 from the U.S. EPA to install a green stormwater filtration
system to capture and treat runoff at Rainbow Beach, which should reduce stormwater volume and
improve water quality in the area. The project is currently in the design phase and will be installed
after the 2013 beach season.
Improving Beachwater Quality in Chicago
In 2012, the Chicago Park District began using predictive models at 14 beaches: Juneway, Rogers,
Howard, Jarvis/Fargo, Hartigan, Leone/Loyola, Foster, Montrose, Oak Street, Ohio Street, 12th
Street, 31st Street, 63rd Street, and Calumet. Parameters include wave height, turbidity, rainfall,
wind speed and direction, and solar radiation. In 2012, advisories were issued when the predicted
bacteria level for E. coli was above 235 cfu/100 ml.
Two beaches in Chicago, 63rd Street Beach (Jackson Park) and 57th Street Beach, routinely
exceeded water quality standards in the past. A large number of seagulls are known to contribute to
the fecal contamination at these beaches. Using border collies during the beach season to harass
gulls every day from dawn to dusk has proved to be an effective means of improving water quality at
these beaches.
In 2012, Illinois reported 65 coastal beaches and beach segments, of which 20 (31%) of which were
assigned a monitoring frequency of once a day, 28 (43%) more than once a week, and 3 (5%) once
a week, and ; 14 (22%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 10% of all reported
beach monitoring samples exceeded the state’s daily maximum bacterial standard of 235
standard in 2012 were Montrose Dog Beach (38%), Rainbow Beach (30%), Jackson Park Beach
(63rd/64th St. Beach) (27%), Montrose Beach (25%), and 31st Street Beach (21%), all in Cook
County. Cook County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012
(10%), followed by Lake (9%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging)
What Are Illinois's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season extends from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Samples are taken in water that is
knee to waist deep. Many coastal swimming beaches in Illinois are sampled seven days a week, as
Illinois believes daily monitoring is most protective of public health. Areas of shoreline that are not
used for swimming because they are rocky or otherwise unsuitable are not monitored. Daily
monitoring is conducted when a swim ban or advisory is issued. States that monitor more frequently
after an exceedance is found and after pollution events will tend to have higher percent exceedance
rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not
increase after an exceedance or a pollution event.
2009, and 534 days in 2008. There were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended
weeks or less, 91% (305) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels, and 9% (29) were preemptive due to other, unspecified reasons.
How Does Illinois Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Depending on the managing authority for coastal beaches, both advisories and swim bans are
issued. The water quality standard in Illinois is an E. coli single-sample maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml.
No geometric mean standard is applied when making swim ban and advisory decisions. Beachgoers
can find advisory information on the Chicago Park District website.
In most jurisdictions, either a swim ban or an advisory is issued if one sample exceeds the singlesample standard.5 The only exceptions are beaches managed by the Wilmette Health Department
(the Gillson Park beaches and Langdon Beach), the Winnetka Park District (Tower, Maple, and
Elder beaches), and Lake County (North Point Marina Beach and Illinois Beach State Park). Two
samples are taken daily at these beaches, and if one sample exceeds the standard, a resample is
taken before a swim ban is issued. If both samples exceed the standard, a swim ban is issued
without resampling. In 2011, the Chicago Park District posted an advisory at its beaches when
sample results were between 235 cfu/100 ml and 1,000 cfu/100 ml, and a ban when sample results
exceeded 1,000 cfu/100 ml. In 2012, the Chicago Park District began posting advisories when
sample results exceed 235 cfu/100 ml and bans when there is a sewage spill.
Beach managers may preemptively issue swim bans or advisories because of rain or other factors.
The Lake County Health Department uses a predictive model called SwimCast to make swim ban
and advisory decisions at Waukegan South Beach, Forest Park Beach in Lake Forest, and
Rosewood Beach in Highland Park. At a minimum, predictions are generally made at 9 a.m. and 1
p.m. and whenever hydrometeorological conditions change. For each beach where the SwimCast
system exists, similar but slightly different predictive models are used. These models predict
beachwater conditions on a real-time basis, in contrast to standard culture methods for quantifying
bacteria. When culture methods are used as the basis for issuing swim bans and advisories, health
warnings are not issued until at least 24 hours after samples are taken due to the time required to
process and read the samples. In a sense, using culture methods to issue swim bans and advisories
is akin to using yesterday’s bacteria density to predict today’s. Studies have shown that SwimCast
provides a more accurate assessment of current beachwater quality than does the prior day’s
bacterial density.
SwimCast models produce a 99% confidence interval—that is, a lower and upper bound of bacterial
concentrations between which the actual bacteria concentration is expected, with 99% confidence,
to lie. At all beaches where the SwimCast model is used, the protocol for determining swim bans and
risk advisories is the same:
1. A swim ban occurs when the lower bound of the 99% confidence interval is above 235 cfu/100
ml. Under a ban, the beach is posted with a red flag. This is the highest-risk condition.
2. When the average prediction and upper bound of the 99% confidence interval are above 235
cfu/100 ml but the lower bound is below 235 cfu/100 ml, this is considered a moderate- to highrisk condition and the beach is posted with a red flag.
3. When the upper bound of the 99% confidence interval is above 235 cfu/100 ml but the average
prediction and the lower bound of the 99% confidence interval prediction are below 235 cfu/100
ml, this is considered a moderate-risk condition and is posted as an advisory at the beach.
4. When the upper bound of the 99% confidence interval prediction is below 235 cfu/100 ml, this
is considered a low-risk condition and is posted with a green flag.
In the Chicago Park District, intensive data collection began in 2011 for model development at five
additional beaches: Foster, Montrose, Oak Street, 63rd Street, and Calumet. The district is using
models at several of these beaches to make swim ban and advisory decisions in 2012.
Illinois 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Cook
12th Street
1
5/week
73
15%
3
view
Cook
31st Street Beach
1
5/week
80
21%
27
view
Cook
49th Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
57th Street Beach
1
5/week
80
15%
11
view
Cook
Calumet South Beach
1
5/week
81
16%
26
view
Cook
Chase Ave Park And Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Cook
Evanston Church Dog Beach
3
1/day
68
3%
2
view
Cook
Evanston Clark Beach
1
1/day
68
6%
2
view
Cook
Evanston Greenwood Beach
1
1/day
68
9%
5
view
Cook
Evanston Lee Beach
1
1/day
68
4%
2
view
Cook
Evanston Lighthouse Beach
1
1/day
68
9%
3
view
Cook
Evanston South Beach
1
1/day
68
16%
12
view
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Cook
Foster Avenue Beach
1
5/week
75
11%
5
view
Cook
Fullerton (Theater On The
Lake)
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Cook
Glencoe Park Beach
1
1/day
92
9%
6
view
Cook
Glenlake Ave. Park & Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Cook
Hartigan Beach
1
5/week
71
4%
3
view
Cook
Howard Street Park Beach
1
5/week
71
4%
3
view
Cook
Jackson Park Beach
(63rd/64th St Beach)
no
data
5/week
73
27%
14
view
Cook
Jarvis Avenue Park Beach
1
5/week
74
12%
3
view
Cook
Juneway Terrace Park Beach
1
5/week
72
7%
3
view
Cook
Kathy Osterman Beach
1
5/week
74
9%
7
view
Cook
Kenilworth Beach
1
1/day
84
6%
4
view
Cook
Leone Beach
1
5/week
74
7%
3
view
Cook
Loyola Ave. Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Montrose Beach
1
5/week
88
25%
7
view
Cook
Montrose Dog Beach
2
5/week
71
38%
0
view
Cook
Munson Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
North Avenue Beach
1
5/week
74
5%
4
view
Cook
Northwestern University
Beach
1
1/day
78
10%
4
view
Cook
Oak Street Beach
1
5/week
72
0%
2
view
Cook
Oakwood Beach
1
5/week
74
11%
7
view
Cook
Ohio Street Beach
1
5/week
74
7%
5
view
Cook
Rainbow Beach
1
5/week
81
30%
22
view
Cook
Rogers Avenue Park Beach
1
5/week
73
4%
3
view
Cook
Rosemont Ave. Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Cook
Sherwin Ave. Park & Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Cook
South Shore
1
5/week
75
16%
12
view
Cook
Wilmette Gillson Park Beach
1
1/day
385
1%
5
view
Cook
Wilmette Gillson Park Dog
Beach
1
1/week
16
6%
1
view
Cook
Wilmette Langdon Beach
1
1/day
93
5%
4
-
Cook
Winnetka Centennial Dog
Beach
2
1/day
75
11%
12
view
Cook
Winnetka Elder Park Beach
1
1/day
75
12%
14
view
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Cook
Winnetka Lloyd Park Beach
1
1/day
80
6%
11
view
Cook
Winnetka Maple Park Beach
1
1/day
75
5%
9
view
Cook
Winnetka Tower Beach
1
1/day
80
6%
11
view
Lake
Fort Sheridan North Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Fort Sheridan South Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Great Lakes Navel Nunn
Beach
1
4/week
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Highland Park Avenue
Boating Beach
1
4/week
55
11%
5
view
Lake
Highland Park Moraine Park
Dog Beach
2
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Lake
Highland Park Rosewood
Beach
1
1/day
172
9%
6
view
Lake
Illinois Beach State Park
Camp Logan Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
North Beach
1
4/week
108
5%
2
view
Lake
Resort Beach
1
4/week
108
11%
6
view
Lake
Sailing Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
South Beach
1
4/week
108
11%
6
view
Lake
Lake Bluff Dog Beach
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Lake
Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach
1
4/week
54
0%
0
view
Lake
Lake Forest Forest Park
Beach
1
1/day
185
11%
8
view
Lake
North Chicago Foss Park
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
North Point Marina Beach
1
4/week
106
12%
8
view
Lake
Waukegan North Beach
1
1/day
155
10%
8
view
Lake
Waukegan South Beach
1
1/day
188
10%
6
view
Lake
Zion Hosah Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: Indiana
Indiana 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary


1 (<1%) other, unspecified contamination sources

1 (<1%) wildlife
Indiana has 34 Great Lakes beaches stretching along 45 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in three
counties. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) administers the state's
beach monitoring and notification program, which is voluntary for eligible (non-federally owned)
beaches.
Indiana?
Michigan City's Efforts to Improve Water Quality
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department has employed a variety of best management
practices at Washington Park Beach and Sheridan Beaches, where water quality continued to
improve in 2012. Several of these strategies are aimed at reducing the number of birds at the
beach—including prohibiting the feeding of wildlife, covering trash receptacles, and imposing fines
for littering. The city also conducts a goose eradication program and revised its beach grooming
techniques so that sand is left soft and furrowed instead of compacted and smooth (a condition that
fosters bacteria). The Michigan City Parks Department also hosts "Adopt a Beach" cleanup events at
Washington Park Beach and Sheridan Beaches twice a year.
Employing Predictive Models
With the future of BEACH Act funding unclear, IDEM plans to pursue low-cost alternatives to
traditional E. coli monitoring, such as predictive modeling. In 2011, IDEM partnered with the U.S.
Geological Survey (U.S.G.S) and Michigan City to develop a predictive model for Washington Park
Beach, the only Tier 1 (high-priority) beach in LaPorte County. The model was developed using
2011 data and validated with 2012 beach data. IDEM plans to employ the new predictive model
during the 2013 beach season.
During 2012, Ogden Dunes East and Ogden Dunes West also utilized a predictive model developed
by USGS. Routine E. coli sampling and model sampling were conducted four days per week at both
beaches. If a sample exceeded the state's 235 cfu/100mL single-sample maximum (ssm), or if the
model predicted an exceedance of the state standard on the basis of data inputs, an advisory or
closure was issued for that beach. Unfortunately, throughout the 2012 beach season the model was
unable to predict exceedances. Due to the low sample exceedance rates of both Ogden Dunes
beaches and the limited sensitivity of the model, IDEM is unsure of the future viability of this
predictive model and will not be implementing it during the 2013 beach season.
New Efforts to Improve Water Quality at Jeorse Park Beach
Historically, Jeorse Park Beach in East Chicago has been Indiana's poorest-performing beach in
regard to E. coli concentrations. Hydrodynamic modeling is being planned for Jeorse Park Beach in
2013, the results of which will help determine alternatives for improving water quality. Additionally,
East Chicago will increase its monitoring frequency to seven days a week during the 2013 beach
season.
In 2012, Indiana reported 33 Great Lakes beaches, of which 10 (30%) were monitored daily, 15
(45%) were monitored three to five days per week , and the 8 Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
beach sites (24%) once a week. In 2012, 10% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded
the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 235 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest
percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012 were Jeorse Park Beach I (70%),
Jeorse Park Beach II (53%), Buffington Harbor Beach (31%), Hammond Marina East Beach (27%),
and Whihala Beach West (17%) in Lake County; and Indiana Dunes State Park West Beach in
Porter County (15%). Lake County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard
in 2012 (17%), followed by Porter (6%) and LaPorte (6%). NRDC considers all reported samples
What Are Indiana's Sampling Practices?
Generally the monitoring season in Indiana is from late May through the first week of September, but
at some beaches sampling may begin or end a week earlier or later.
Sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols are set by the state in
consultation with the beach managers for the beaches receiving BEACH Act funding. Specific
monitoring locations are used each year to ensure consistency and representativeness of data.
Samples are taken in knee-deep water. Monitoring frequency is based on a prioritized ranking of
beaches, with higher-priority beaches receiving more frequent sampling. The rankings are based on
many variables, which include (but are not limited to) bather use, proximity to known point and nonpoint sources, and likely effects from heavy rainfall events. The eight Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore beach sites (Kemil, Lake View, Mount Baldy, Dunbar, West, Central, Portage Lakefront,
and Porter) are monitored weekly and voluntarily post monitoring and notification data to the Indiana
BeachGuard website, even though they are not eligible for BEACH Act funding and are not included
in the state program.
Some beaches are routinely sampled seven days a week, and their monitoring schedules do not
change when they are closed or under advisory. At some of the beaches that are not sampled seven
days a week, additional samples may be collected during a closing or advisory; at other beaches,
the monitoring frequency is not changed
.
Total closure/advisory days for 175 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 13% to
318 days in 2012 from 367 days in 2011. For previous years, there were 406 days in 2010, 387 days
in 2009, 333 days in 2008, 213 days in 2007, 111 days in 2006, and 131 days in 2005. There were
no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks
but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13
consecutive weeks. For the 175 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 99% (315) of
closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, and1% (3) were
preemptive due to other reasons.
How Does Indiana Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Both closures and advisories are issued in Indiana. If any sample exceeds the 235 cfu/100 mL
single-sample maximum, Indiana requires that either an advisory or a closure be issued; however,
the decision on whether to post an advisory or to close the beach is left to the discretion of the
individual beach manager. The only exception is Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, where an
advisory is always issued when monitoring results exceed 235 cfu/100 ml. No geometric mean
standard is applied when making daily closure and advisory decisions. Swimmers are informed of
poor water quality during advisories, and swimming is not permitted at beaches that are closed. The
beaches participating in IDEM's Lake Michigan Beaches Monitoring and Notification Program post all
advisories and closures on the IDEM BeachGuard website and post signs at the beach.
Beach managers may preemptively issue advisories or closures if conditions exist that may result in
elevated E. coli levels, such as heavy rainfall or combined sewer overflow events. LaPorte County
issues an advisory if excessive debris, such as oil globules or algae, is found in the lake or on the
beach. Beach managers can also close a beach for weather and lake conditions, such as a rip
current.
Indiana 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
La
Porte
Duneland Beach - Stop 31,
Shoreland Hills Beach
3
3/week
43
7%
8
view
La
Porte
Duneland Beach - Stop 34
3
3/week
43
9%
11
view
La
Porte
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Central Avenue Beach
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
La
Porte
- Dunbar Beach
3
1/week
16
6%
0
view
La
Porte
- Mount Baldy
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
La
Porte
- State Park Road/Kemil Avenue
Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
La
Porte
Long Beach Stop 20
3
3/week
43
0%
0
view
La
Porte
Long Beach Stop 24
3
3/week
43
7%
9
view
La
Porte
Michiana Shores Stop 37
3
3/week
43
5%
6
view
La
Porte
Sheridan Beach Stop 2
2
3/week
327
4%
8
view
La
Porte
Sheridan Beach Stop 7
3
3/week
109
2%
2
view
La
Porte
Washington Park Beach
1
1/day
327
11%
19
view
Lake
Buffington Harbor Beach
2
5/week
63
33%
28
view
Lake
Hammond Marina East Beach
2
1/day
98
26%
24
view
Lake
Hammond Marina West Beach
2
1/day
98
13%
13
view
Lake
Jeorse Park Beach I
2
5/week
63
70%
61
view
Lake
Jeorse Park Beach II
2
5/week
63
52%
54
view
Lake
Lake Street Beach
2
5/week
152
5%
9
view
Lake
Marquette Park Beach
2
5/week
299
4%
7
view
Lake
Wells Street Beach
2
5/week
76
1%
2
view
Lake
Whihala Beach East
1
1/day
88
10%
9
view
Lake
Whihala Beach West
1
1/day
88
17%
11
view
Porter
Broadway Beach
2
1/day
88
8%
9
view
Porter
Drexwood Beach
2
1/day
88
0%
0
view
County Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Porter
- Lakeview Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Porter
- Portage Lakefront
no
data
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Porter
- Porter Beach
2
1/week
16
13%
0
view
Porter
- West Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Porter
Indiana Dunes State Park East
Beach
1
1/day
105
11%
11
view
Porter
Indiana Dunes State Park West
Beach
1
1/day
105
15%
15
view
Porter
Ogden Dunes East Beach
3
5/week
120
3%
0
view
Porter
Ogden Dunes West Beach
3
5/week
120
3%
0
view
Porter
Shore Avenue Beach
2
1/day
88
1%
2
view
State Summary: Louisiana
Louisiana 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary
(number of closing/advisory days; does not include extended or permanent days)


15 (3%) Gulf of Mexico oil spill
While most of Louisiana's coastline consists of wetlands, coastal beaches line nearly 30 miles of
Gulf of Mexico and estuarine shoreline, including beaches on the barrier island Grand Isle as well as
some near the Texas border and on the shore of the Lake Pontchartrain estuary. The state's coastal
monitoring program is administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH).
Louisiana Water Quality Challenges and Improvements
Hurricanes
In August 2012, Hurricane Isaac hit eastern Louisiana and caused several beach closures.
Additionally, some of the beaches monitored by the LDHH are still experiencing lingering impacts
from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (August and September 2005, respectively) and Hurricanes
Gustav and Ike (September 2008). For example, although use of Cameron Parish beaches is
increasing as the area is rebuilt, it still remains below pre-storm levels. In 2012, Hackberry Beach
remained inaccessible due to road damage.
BP Oil Spill
Louisiana's coastal beaches in the eastern half of the state were severely impacted by the BP oil
disaster, which began on April 20, 2010, with the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Oil flowed
from the damaged well for nearly three months until it was capped on July 15, 2010. Three years
after the disaster, the long-term impacts from the spill are still difficult to determine.
The beachwater quality monitoring program in Louisiana through the BEACH Act does not test for
oil, and thus the LDHH does not have monitoring data on oil to report. However, other entities are
still engaged in oil spill cleanup activity in some regions, including Fourchon Beach, which is
currently closed to the public due to ownership issues. At Fourchon Beach, Louisiana State
University (LSU) researchers are investigating oil aggregates from the BP spill. Aggregates look like
benign rocks but reveal a dark, oily interior when broken open. Cleanup efforts are difficult because
although a beach may appear free of aggregates, hurricanes and other storms can wash away top
layers of sand, uncovering oil that remains behind. Researchers at LSU are concerned that the
public could be exposed to the oil aggregates once the beach is reopened.
Predictive Models
Louisiana beaches have a wide range of salinity conditions, and most are relatively remote from
urban runoff. These factors reduce the direct association between environmental conditions and
enterococci densities and make the use of predictive models very difficult. Using data collected
between 2004 and 2009, the LDHH Center for Environmental Health Services (CEHS) performed a
study to determine how indicator organism density was influenced by environmental factors at
Louisiana coastal beaches. Researchers found that environmental factors explained only a small
fraction of the total variability in indicator organism density, and thus statistical models of
environmental variable-indicator organism relationships were not sufficient to be used as predictive
models on which to base precautionary advisories.
In 2011, Louisiana BEACH program managers conducted a similar analysis of data collected during
the 2011 monitoring season. Like the 2009 study, the LDHH found the relationship between
environmental variables and enterococci density changed from year to year, and that the enterococci
density was not explained by differences in environmental variables. Because of the large year-toyear differences in enterococci densities and annual variance within beach segments, and annual
differences in the relationship between enterococci density and the environmental variables, the
study's authors concluded that developing useful predictive models that go beyond finding a general
pattern of environmental conditions that are associated with higher/lower enterococci densities is not
possible for Louisiana's more remote beaches. It may be possible to create a reliable predictive
model for beaches near urban areas, such as the Lake Charles beaches, when additional monitoring
data are available for analysis.
In 2012, Louisiana reported 31 coastal beaches. Of these, 25 (81%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week, 1 (3%) once a month, and 5 (16%) were not monitored. In 2012, 6% of all
standard in 2012 were Fontainebleau State Park in St. Tammany Parish (18%), Rutherford Beach in
Cameron Parish (17%), Cypremort Point State Park in St. Mary Parish (16%), Grand Isle State Park
2 in Jefferson Parish (13%), North Beach–Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish (11%), and Grand Isle
State Park 3 in Jefferson Parish (11%). St. Tammany Parish had the highest exceedance rate of the
daily maximum standard in 2012 (18%), followed by St. Mary (16%), Orleans (14%), Lafourche
(13%), Calcasieu (9%), Jefferson (6%), and Cameron (5%) parishes. NRDC considers all reported
samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this
analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if
any.
An ongoing ownership dispute over Fourchon Beach restricted public access to the beach during
2012 and limited the LDHH's ability to conduct regular monitoring at stations along that beach.
Stations 2 and 4 were not monitored at all during 2012.
Enterococci density was extremely low compared with prior years at Constance Beach Complex,
Holly Beach, and Lake Charles beaches and was low at Hackberry-Rutherford Beach, Grand Isle
Beach, and Cypremort Point State Park. The low enterococci densities may in part be explained by
corresponding extremely high salinty at those beaches, but the exact cause of the improvement is
unknown. Salinty at Lake Charles beaches in 2012 was comparable to salinity in prior years,
suggesting that other, unknown factors affected enterococci densitites. At Fourchon Beach, Grand
Isle State Park, Fontainebleau State Park, and Pontchartain Beach, enterococci density was
comparable to that of prior years.
What Are Louisiana's Sampling Practices?
Monitoring is conducted from the beginning of April through the end of October. The LDHH
determines sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices at
Louisiana beaches monitored through the BEACH Act. Samples are collected 6 to 12 inches below
the surface in water approximately 3 feet deep. Levels of beach use and perceptions of water quality
determine monitoring priorities. Monitoring frequency does not increase after a beach is placed
under advisory unless the contamination source has been identified and corrected, in which case
more intensive sampling may be conducted.
Total closing/advisory days for 51 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less increased 17% to
2009, and 221 days in 2008. In addition, there was 1 extended event (65 days total due to Hurricane
Isaac) but no permanent events in 2012, a substantial reduction in both extended and permanent
events from prior years. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than
13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the
51 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 79% (495) of closing/advisory days were due to
monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, and 21% (128) were due to Hurricane Isaac.
How Does Louisiana Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The LDHH issues beach advisories based on water quality but does not have the authority to close a
beach. Local governments, however, can issue closings. Water quality standards are not met if any
of the following are exceeded: an enterococcus single-sample maximum standard of 104 mpn/100
ml, an enterococcus geometric mean of 35 mpn/100 ml for samples taken over a 30-day period, or a
fecal coliform geometric mean of 200 mpn/100 ml for samples taken over a 30-day period. Multiple
samples are sometimes taken during a sampling event, and when they are, the results are averaged
before comparison with the standard. An exceedance of any of these three standards can trigger an
advisory. The public is notified about advisories through the LDHH beach advisory website, press
releases, and signs posted at the beach.
Other than taking a resample to verify exceedances when results are in doubt, there is no protocol
for forgoing an advisory when an exceedance is found. It is noteworthy that the majority of advisories
in Louisiana result from an exceedance of the enterococcus geometric mean criterion. Louisiana's
percentage of monitored station-weeks that were in compliance is different from that of states using
other criteria. If Louisiana issued beach advisories based only on the enterococcus single-sample
maximum criterion, as many states do, its noncompliance during 2012 would have been reduced by
64%.
Nine beach closures were issued in 2012 due to Hurricane Isaac, which affected areas on the
eastern portion of the state in late August. Impacts varied by beach, with Elmer's Island and Grand
Isle Beach closed for 7 days, Grand Isle State Park closed for 25 days, and Fontainebleau State
Park closed for 65 days.
Louisiana 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Calcasieu
North Beach - Lake
Charles
1
1/week
36
11%
76
view
Calcasieu
South Beach & Rabbit
Island
1
1/week
34
6%
50
view
Cameron
Constance Beach
2
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Cameron
Gulf Breeze
2
1/week
35
3%
7
view
Cameron
Hackberry Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Cameron
Holly Beach 1
1
1/week
33
9%
15
view
Cameron
Holly Beach 2
1
1/week
37
5%
21
view
Cameron
Holly Beach 3
1
1/week
33
3%
15
view
Cameron
Holly Beach 4
1
1/week
34
3%
15
view
Cameron
Holly Beach 5
1
1/week
36
6%
35
view
Cameron
Holly Beach 6
1
1/week
33
9%
22
view
Cameron
Little Florida
2
1/week
36
3%
7
view
Cameron
Long Beach
2
1/week
35
0%
0
view
Cameron
Martin Beach
2
1/week
39
0%
0
view
Cameron
Rutherford Beach
2
1/week
35
17%
91
view
Jefferson
Elmer's Island
1
1/week
33
3%
13
view
Jefferson
Elmer's Island-East
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Grand Isle Beach 1
2
1/week
31
3%
7
view
Jefferson
Grand Isle Beach 2
2
1/week
33
6%
25
view
Jefferson
Grand Isle Beach 3
2
1/week
32
3%
15
view
Jefferson
Grand Isle State Park 1
1
1/week
32
0%
25
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Jefferson
1
1/week
30
13%
51
view
Jefferson
1
1/week
28
11%
46
view
Jefferson
1
1/week
36
6%
39
view
Lafourche
Fourchon 1
1
1/month
8
13%
0
view
Lafourche
Fourchon 2
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lafourche
Fourchon 3
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lafourche
Fourchon 4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Orleans
Pontchartrain Beach
no
data
1/week
7
14%
0
view
St Mary
Cypremort Point State
Park
1
1/week
31
16%
41
view
St
Tammany
Fontainebleau State
Park
1
1/week
34
18%
7 (65)
view
State Summary: Maine
Key Findings in Maine
Maine 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

There are more than 30 miles of public-access beaches stretching along Maine's Atlantic waters,
including bays, sounds, and estuaries. The coastal beachwater quality monitoring program, Maine
Healthy Beaches (MHB), is managed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
and coordinated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Maine?
The Maine Healthy Beaches program provided extensive support in 2012 to areas that have
experienced chronic bacterial pollution, including intensified monitoring and the building of a
collaborative process of local, state, and federal partners to share resources and solve problems.
Improved Monitoring and Public Outreach in Camden
In 2012, the town of Camden received funding from the Maine Coastal Program to enhance its
monitoring program, to expand Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Studies in the harbor
watershed, and to follow through on key recommendations from prior studies. The increased
monitoring led to the discovery of an illicit sewer cross-connection to a storm drain that empties to
the Megunticook River. It was repaired within one week of discovery.
Additionally, to reduce the impact of untreated boat waste on harbor water quality, Camden mailed
hundreds of "Pump It, Don't Dump It!" flyers to permitted slip and mooring holders explaining how to
properly dispose of sewage. The town's free boat pump-out service increased the number of gallons
pumped and the number of pump-outs in 2012 from the previous year. The town plans to continue
educating boaters and expanding public outreach efforts to include best practices for managing pet
waste, septic system maintenance, and storm drain stenciling in the Camden Harbor Watershed.
Water Quality Improvements at Goodies Beach
To improve historically impaired water quality, MHB supported routine beach monitoring as well as
source-tracking studies at Goodies Beach in Rockport Harbor and in the storm drainage network. In
2012, Rockport Codes Enforcement surveyed 54 residences in the direct drainage basin of Goodies
Beach. The town plans to explore the feasibility of extending the stormwater pipe draining to
Goodies Beach offshore. Extending the outfall does not eliminate the source of pollution, however.
Additionally, Rockport will integrate "Pump It, Don't Dump It!" information into the promotion of a new
boat pump-out facility in 2013.
In 2012, Maine reported 71 coastal beaches, of which 3 (4%) were assigned a monitoring frequency
of more than once a week, 53 (75%) once a week, 2 (3%) every other week, and 1 (1%) once a
month; 12 (17%) were classified as "Tier 3" and not assigned a monitoring frequency. Tier 3
beaches do not currently meet the criteria for program participation such as having a management
entity, public use and access, adequate facilities, etc. In 2012, 11% of all reported beach monitoring
Goodies Beach in Knox County (44%), Riverside (Ogunquit) in York County (26%), Laite Beach in
Knox County (26%), Short Sands Beach in York County (25%), Ferry Beach (Scarborough) in
Cumberland County (24%), Crescent Beach (Kittery) in York County (24%), Hulls Cove in Hancock
County (21%), and Crescent Beach (Wells) in York County (21%). Knox County had the highest
exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (30%), followed by Waldo (17%), Lincoln
(13%), Hancock (12%), York (10%), Cumberland (9%), and Sagadahoc (3%). NRDC considers all
if any.
What Are Maine's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season in Maine lasts approximately three months, from Memorial Day through
Labor Day. Monitoring is extended to include spring wet-weather monitoring and special studies for
targeted areas.
The Maine Healthy Beaches program is voluntary, and in order to participate, a beach must have a
management entity that can meet the program's protocols and conditions. Beaches that do not meet
the criteria for program participation are assigned to Tier 3 and are not monitored. Monitoring coastal
water quality for swimming and other water-contact usage is the responsibility of local jurisdictions,
municipalities, or state parks and is not mandated by state law. Samples are taken in 2 to 3 feet of
water.
Monitoring sites at each beach are selected according to where people swim as well as the location
of freshwater inputs to the beach and other high-risk features, including sewage treatment plant
outfalls and wildlife areas. Once a beach is placed under advisory or closed, MHB recommends that
the monitoring frequency increase until standards are met and the beach can be reopened.
However, some localities don't have the ability to conduct increased monitoring, and the beaches in
these towns cannot be reopened until the next routine sample is analyzed.
For areas experiencing chronic bacterial pollution, additional monitoring sites are added throughout
the watershed and/or wet-weather monitoring is conducted to help determine the source(s) of
pollution.
2009, 170 days in 2008, 176 days in 2007, 134 days in 2006, and 92 days in 2005. In addition, there
were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six
weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13
consecutive weeks. For the 86 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 92% (178) of
closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, and 8% (16)
were preemptive due to heavy rainfall.
During the 2012 monitoring season, 21.96 inches of rain fell, substantially more than in the 2011 and
2010 seasons (which received 13.45 inches and 10.48 inches, respectively). Four beach
management areas—Goodies, Goose Rocks, East End, and Riverside-Ogunquit—accounted for
36% of the reported beach action days in 2012. MHB believes that runoff pollution contributes to
bacteria loads at these locations through factors such as storm drains that empty directly onto
beaches, a high percentage of impervious ground cover, and the close proximity of urbanized areas.
In addition to record rainfall, the increase in closing/advisory days in 2012 was also likely linked to
precautionary rainfall advisories that were triggered by more than 1 inch of rainfall within 24 hours. In
some cases, beach managers kept the advisory in place until the next scheduld monitoring day
indicated enterococci levels below the state standard.
How Does Maine Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Both closings and advisories can be issued in Maine, but closings are rare and occur only when
beaches experience chronic high bacteria levels or known threats to safety or public health, and in
municipalities where closing ordinances are in place. The Maine Healthy Beaches websiteprovides
beach status and data.
When determining whether to recommend a beach advisory, MHB applies a single-sample standard
for enterococcus of 104 mpn/100 ml. A geometric mean standard is considered but not strictly
applied when determining whether a beachwater sample exceeds bacterial standards. Results of all
monitoring samples are transmitted to the MHB database, and automatic email alerts are issued to
beach managers, local officials, and other entities as soon as an exceedance is found.
Advisories are not issued solely on the basis of monitoring results. The decision to post a beach is
made by the local beach manager (in partnership with MHB staff) using a risk management
matrix incorporating factors including bacteria levels, environmental conditions, risk of pollution, and
history of high bacteria levels. Depending on the conditions, MHB will recommend an advisory when
the standards are exceeded, and the decision to post an advisory for a beach is the responsibility of
the town or state park. In areas with historically good water quality and a low risk of pollution, an
advisory may not be posted until resample results are available, while in areas with historically poor
water quality and a high risk of pollution, beaches will be posted following an exeedance. Beaches
are resampled following an exceedance. MHB staff follow up after each exceedance to ensure that
state protocols were followed correctly and in a timely manner.
The program recommends that precautionary rainfall advisories be posted at beaches with a history
of elevated bacteria levels and stormwater issues. There are a few communities in Maine that,
depending on conditions, may post an advisory after a specified amount of rainfall. Local officials are
notified when there is a known sewage spill.
Maine 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Cumberland
Crescent Beach
1
1/week
36
11%
2
view
Cumberland
East End Beach
1
3/week
45
13%
19
view
Cumberland Ferry Beach (Scarborough)
1
1/week
17
24%
4
view
Cumberland
Higgins Beach
1
2/week
74
8%
6
view
Cumberland
Kettle Cove Beach
1
1/week
17
12%
0
view
Cumberland
Pine Point
1
1/week
16
6%
0
view
Cumberland
Scarborough Beach
1
1/week
44
0%
0
view
Cumberland
Willard Beach
1
2/week
5
0%
1
view
Cumberland
Winslow Park
2
2/month
6
17%
2
view
Hancock
Emery Cove Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Hancock
Hadley Point
1
1/week
16
6%
2
view
Hancock
Hulls Cove
1
1/week
19
21%
3
view
Hancock
Lamoine (Lamoine State
Park)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Hancock
Sand Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Hancock
Seal Harbor
1
1/week
17
18%
5
view
Hancock
Town Beach
1
1/week
34
12%
4
view
Knox
Clam Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Knox
Goodies Beach
1
1/week
25
44%
23
view
Knox
Laite Beach
1
1/week
19
26%
6
view
Knox
Sandy Beach
1
1/week
17
12%
2
view
Lincoln
Pemaquid Beach
2
2/month
16
13%
0
view
Sagadahoc
East Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sagadahoc
Half Mile Beach
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Sagadahoc
Lagoon Beach
1
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Sagadahoc
Mile Beach
1
1/week
24
0%
0
view
Sagadahoc
Popham - Center Beach
1
1/week
12
8%
2
view
Sagadahoc
Popham - East Beach
1
1/week
30
7%
2
view
Sagadahoc
Popham - West BeachMorse River
1
1/week
38
3%
2
view
Waldo
Ducktrap River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Waldo
Lincolnville Beach
1
1/week
18
17%
3
view
Waldo
Lincolnville Beach (Ferry
Terminal)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Roque Bluffs (Roque Bluffs
State Park)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
York
Bay View
1
1/week
16
6%
3
view
York
Biddeford Pool (OceanSide)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
York
Cape Neddick Beach
1
1/week
18
17%
6
view
York
Casino Square
1
1/week
27
7%
2
view
York
Colony Beach
1
1/week
16
6%
2
view
York
Crescent Beach (Kittery)
1
1/week
17
24%
6
view
York
Crescent Beach (Wells)
1
1/week
19
21%
3
view
York
Drakes Isl Beach
1
1/week
40
0%
0
view
York
Ferry Beach (Saco)
1
1/week
15
7%
2
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
York
Footbridge (Ogunquit)
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
York
Fort Foster - Horn Point
1
1/week
24
4%
2
view
York
Fort Foster - Pier Beach
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
York
Fort Foster - Scuba Beach
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
York
Fortunes Rocks Beach
1
1/week
16
6%
2
view
York
Gil Bouche Park-Biddeford
Pool
1
1/week
16
6%
2
view
York
Goochs Beach
1
1/week
37
16%
1
view
York
Goose Rocks
1
1/week
70
17%
20
view
York
Hills Beach
1
1/week
16
13%
4
view
York
Kinney Shores
1
1/week
17
12%
3
view
York
Laudholm Beach
1
1/week
34
12%
1
view
York
Libby Cove Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
York
Little Beach
1
1/week
16
13%
0
view
York
Long Sands Beach - North
1
1/week
71
11%
6
view
York
Long Sands Beach - South
1
1/week
27
4%
2
view
York
Main (Ogunquit)
1
1/week
16
13%
0
view
York
Middle Beach (Biddeford)
1
1/week
17
12%
2
view
York
Middle Beach (Kennebunk)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
York
Moody (Ogunquit)
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
York
Mothers Beach
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
York
OOB - Central
1
1/week
49
8%
3
view
York
OOB - North End
1
1/week
16
6%
2
view
York
OOB - Ocean Park
1
1/week
33
12%
9
view
York
Parson's Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
York
Riverside (Ogunquit)
1
1/week
38
26%
12
view
York
Sea Point Beach
1
1/week
15
7%
2
view
York
Short Sands Beach
1
1/week
20
25%
8
view
York
Wells Beach
1
1/week
59
7%
1
view
York
Wells Harbor
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
York
York Harbor Beach
1
1/week
16
6%
0
view
State Summary: Maryland
Maryland 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

There are 70 coastal beaches in Maryland lining 19 miles of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake
Bay. Beachwater quality is monitored through a program administered by the Maryland Department
of the Environment (MDE).
Maryland?
New Efforts to Reduce Stormwater
When stormwater runs over materials like fertilizer, oil, gas, and bare soil, it can become
contaminated and cause erosion. That runoff carries pollution and leads to stream and groundwater
contamination. To reduce stormwater pollution, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill (H.B.
987) in 2012 requiring the city of Baltimore and the nine largest counties (Anne Arundel, Baltimore,
Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's) to adopt and
implement a stormwater fee and dedicated fund by July 1, 2013. The funds will help to construct and
maintain pollution controls and correct drainage and flooding issues created by stormwater.
Digital Data Acquisition and Processing
The MDE is currently working with Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and local
health departments to beta test a digital data acquisition and processing system that would facilitate
water quality sample collection, sample testing, and data generation/transfer.
Sanitary Surveys
Maryland state regulations require sanitary surveys at all beaches prior to beach season. During
2012, the MDE worked with Kent County Health Department to track the flow of stormwater from an
effluent pipe near Betterton Beach in Kent County. The findings indicated that the effluent was not
flowing in the direction of the beach.
Enterococcus in Beach Sand, Beachwater, and Ocean Sediment
Enterococcus is a fecal indicator bacterium used to determine whether fecal contamination of
beachwater may have occurred. Beach managers throughout the country have wondered if
enterococcus is growing in beach sand and in ocean sediments and making its way via those routes
into beachwater at some locations. If so, enterococcus levels may not be reliable indicators of fecal
contamination. In 2010, Maryland took part in a study to investigate the relationship among
enterococcus levels in beach sand, ocean sediment, and beachwater. Researchers determined that
the concentrations of enterococcus in sand and sediment were not related to its concentration in
beachwater, and that while enterococcus can survive in beach sand and sediment, regrowth of
enterococci did not occur under laboratory conditions in either sand or sediment from these
beaches. The conclusion, at least for the beaches involved in the research, is that enterococcus is
not replicating itself in the beach sand and ocean sediment and contaminating the beachwater in
that fashion.
In 2012, Maryland reported 70 coastal beaches, of which 6 (9%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of more than once a week, 18 (26%) once a week, 24 (34%) every other week, and 19
(27%) once a month; 3 (4%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 4% of all reported
beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 104
colonies/100 ml (158/100ml for Tier 3 beaches). The beaches with the highest percent exceedance
rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012 were Mayo Beach Park in Anne Arundel County (19%),
Grove Point Camp in Cecil County (17%), Gunpowder State Park Hammerman in Baltimore County
(15%), Sandy Point State Park East Beach in Anne Arundel County (11%), and Elk Neck State Park
North East River in Cecil County (8%). Cecil County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily
maximum standard in 2012 (10%), followed by Anne Arundel (7%), Queen Anne's (6%), Baltimore
(6%), Worcester (2%), and Calvert (1%). No samples taken in Somerset and St Mary's exceeded the
daily maximum standard. NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging)
What Are Maryland's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sampling and notification activities
are delegated to local health departments. Current guidance and regulation are consistent across
the board and apply to all coastal beaches in Maryland. Samples are taken in knee-deep water, 1
foot below the water's surface. Priority for monitoring Maryland's coastal beaches is based on the
level of bather use, historical water quality, proximity to potential or actual pollution sources
(including human and animal fecal contamination sources), beach structure, ecological factors, and
any other conditions that could contribute to beachwater quality. Tier 1 beaches (the highest-priority
beaches) are assigned a monitoring frequency of once a week, medium-priority beaches (Tier 2) are
assigned a monitoring frequency of twice a month, and the lowest-priority beaches (Tier 3) once a
month. The Worcester County Health District has opted to monitor Ocean City beaches (6 locations)
twice a week. Beaches in Maryland are defined in part by use; those that are not used are not
considered to be beaches and are removed from the beach list.
Maryland's beach monitoring program recommends that local health departments sample the
following day when a beach is closed or placed under advisory, but limited staffing and resources at
some beaches sometimes prevents this. States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance is
found will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days than
they would if their sampling schedule did not increase after an exceedance was found.
Total closing/advisory days for 7 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 78% to 41
days in 2012 from 189 days in 2011. In prior years, there were 330 days in 2010, 133 days in 2009,
and 61 days in 2008. In addition, there were 2 extended events (98 days total) and 3 permanent
events (1,095 days total) in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not
more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive
weeks. For the 7 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 100% (41) of closing/advisory days
were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
How Does Maryland Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
In Maryland, closings are issued for known pollution events or other unsafe conditions, and
advisories are issued when bacteria standards are exceeded and no known pollution source is
present. All counties notify the public when a beach is closed or an advisory is issued by posting
updates on the Maryland Healthy Beaches website, posting signs at the beach, operating phone
hotlines, sending press releases, and/or emailing interested parties.
Maryland applies a 30-day geometric mean standard of 35 cfu/100 ml and a daily maximum
standard for enterococcus of 104 cfu/100 ml at Tier 1 and Tier 2 coastal beaches. The daily
maximum standard at Tier 3 beaches is 158 cfu/100 ml. Three samples are taken per sampling
event, and the average of the sampling results is used to determine whether the daily standard is
being met. The average of three samples taken per sampling event is used to find five evenly
spaced values over a 30-day period that are used to calculate the geometric mean.
If the local health department determines that valid sampling results indicate an exceedance of
either the single-sample maximum or geometric mean standard, a notification can be issued without
resampling. If the validity of a sample is in doubt, local health departments may resample before
issuing an advisory.
Maryland does not have preemptive rainfall advisory standards, but rainfall information for each
beach is provided on the Maryland Healthy Beaches website. The public is generally advised to
avoid swimming after a significant rain event because polluted stormwater runoff can carry diseasecausing organisms to the beach.
If a known pollution source exists, such as a combined sewer overflow, failing sewer infrastructure,
or wastewater treatment discharge, the county must close the beach. Maryland is one of the few
states that require sewage treatment plants to report all sewage spills in a timely manner to local
health departments and the state department of the environment. The local health department or
MDE may also issue an immediate closing if there is any other type of dangerous contaminant or
condition.
Maryland 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
Closing or
exceeding
Advisory
state
days
standards
View
Anne
Arundel
Annapolis Sailing
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Arundel on the Bay
2
2/month
10
10%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Atlantic Marina Resort
2
2/month
9
22%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Bay Ridge at Bay Dr.
1
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Bay Ridge at River Dr.
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Bayside Beach
3
1/month
9
22%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Beverly Beach
2
2/month
8
13%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Cape Anne
3
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Cape St. Claire at
Persimmon Point
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Cedarhurst
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Fairhaven
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Fort Smallwood at Pond
Drive
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Fort Smallwood Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Franklin Manor
2
2/month
11
27%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
Closing or
exceeding
Advisory
state
days
standards
View
Anne
Arundel
Highland Beach
2
2/month
9
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Idlewilde on the Bay
3
1/month
5
20%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Mason's Beach
3
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Mayo Beach Park
1
1/week
16
19%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Mountain Point at Gibson
Island
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Oyster Harbor
2
2/month
9
11%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Rose Haven
2
2/month
8
13%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Round Bay Main Beach
1
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Sandy Point State Park
East Beach
1
1/week
18
11%
4
view
Anne
Arundel
Sandy Point State Park
South Beach
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Saunders Point
2
2/month
9
11%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Town Point at Arkhaven
3
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Turkey Point at Cloud
Beach
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Anne
Arundel
Venice on the Bay
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Baltimore
GunPowder State Park
Hammerman
2
2/month
13
15%
3
view
Baltimore
Hart Miller Island
2
2/month
12
0%
0
view
Baltimore
Miami Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Baltimore
Rocky Point Park
2
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Calvert
Breezy Point
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Calvert
Brownie's Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Calvert
Chesapeake Station
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Calvert
Driftwood
2
2/month
9
0%
0
view
Calvert
Flag Harbor
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Calvert
Flag Ponds
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Calvert
North Beach
1
1/week
16
6%
5
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
Closing or
exceeding
Advisory
state
days
standards
View
Calvert
Scientists Cliffs
3
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Calvert
Seahorse
2
2/month
9
0%
0
view
Calvert
Windward Keys
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Cecil
Crystal Beach Manor
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Cecil
Elk Neck State Park North
East River
1
1/week
13
8%
0
view
Cecil
Grove Point Camp
3
1/month
18
17%
0
view
Cecil
Red Point Beach
3
1/month
5
20%
5
view
Cecil
West View Shores
3
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Kent
Boy Scout Beach (Eliason)
3
1/month
1
0%
0
view
Kent
Echo Hill Camp (Youth
Camp)
3
1/month
7
14%
0
view
Kent
Ferry Park
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Kent
Tolchester Estates Beach
3
1/month
8
25%
22
view
Kent
Tolchester Marina and
Beach
3
1/month
8
38%
0 (49)
view
Kent
YMCA Camp Tockwogh
(Youth Camp)
3
1/month
8
13%
0 (49)
view
Queen
Anne's
Camp Wright
3
1/month
16
6%
1
view
Queen
Anne's
Matapeake
3
1/month
16
6%
1
view
Somerset
Janes Island
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Somerset
Wellington
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
St Mary's
Cedar Cove Community
Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
St Mary's
Elm's Beach - Public Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
St Mary's
Point Lookout State Park
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Worcester
Assateague State Park
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Worcester
North Beach Site #1 (State
Park Boundary)
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Worcester
North Beach Site #2
(Ranger Station)
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Worcester
Ocean City Beach 1
1
2/week
28
4%
0
view
Worcester
Ocean City Beach 2
1
2/week
28
0%
0
view
Worcester
Ocean City Beach 3
1
2/week
28
4%
0
view
Worcester
Ocean City Beach 4
1
2/week
28
4%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
Closing or
exceeding
Advisory
state
days
standards
View
Worcester
Ocean City Beach 5
1
2/week
28
4%
0
view
Worcester
Ocean City Beach 6
1
2/week
27
4%
0
view
Worcester
Oceanside #3
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
State Summary: Massachusetts
Massachusetts 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Massachusetts has more than 500 public and semipublic marine beaches along 204 miles of sandy
shore that line Atlantic waters. The monitoring program is a collaborative effort between local boards
of health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and is administered by
MDPH.
Massachusetts?
No-Discharge Zones
No-discharge zones, designated by the U.S. EPA, prohibit boats from discharging both treated and
untreated sewage, which can contaminate beachwater. Within no-discharge zone boundaries, boat
operators are required to retain their sewage onboard for disposal at sea (beyond 3 miles from
shore) or onshore at a pump-out facility.
In June 2012, the coastal waters of Mount Hope Bay (near the communities of Dighton, Berkley,
Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, and Fall River) were designated a no-discharge zone, along with the
state waters south of Cape Cod and surrounding Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard (off the coast of
Chilmark, West Tisbury, Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Gosnold, Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable,
Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Chatham, and Nantucket). With the addition of these waters, more than
95% of Massachusetts’s coastal waters are now no-discharge zones.
Reducing Combined Sewer Overflows
Many urban areas along the coast of Massachusetts are served by combined sewer systems that
treat both stormwater runoff and sewage before discharging it to surface waters. These systems can
be overwhelmed by the volume of stormwater and sewage they receive during heavy storms,
resulting in discharges of raw or partially treated sewage. The Massachusetts Water Resources
Authority North Dorchester Bay CSO Storage Tunnel, a 17-foot-diameter combined-sewer overflow
tunnel in South Boston, began operating on June 1, 2011. In addition to holding combined sewer
overflows for later treatment, this tunnel stores stormwater flows during all but the largest rainstorms
and pumps both stormwater and combined sewer overflow for treatment as capacity allows, thus
preventing a large source of bacteria from reaching the beaches of South Boston.
In 2012, Massachusetts reported 644 coastal beaches, of which 18 (3%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of daily, 470 (73%) once a week, 21 (3%) every other week, 91 (14%) once a month, and
1 (<1%) less than once a month; 43 (7%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency.2 In 2012, 4%
of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state’s daily maximum bacterial standard of
104 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum
standard in 2012 were Cockle Cove Creek–Parking Lot (69%) and Cockle Cove Creek–Ridgevale
(54%) in Barnstable County, Pierce in Bristol County (42%), Donovan’s in Suffolk County (36%);
Pond at Lucy Vincent Beach in Dukes County (33%), and Smith Beach in Norfolk County (31%).
Nantucket County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (10%),
followed by Norfolk (9%), Essex (6%), Suffolk (5%), Dukes (4%), Bristol (4%), Plymouth (3%), and
Barnstable (3%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when
Note that some beaches have a sampling variance. Under Massachusetts regulations, a variance
allows for less-frequent sampling at beaches that have no potential sources of contamination and
that have gone two years without an exceedance. The exceedance rate may be higher in counties
with beaches under a variance, in part because the cleanest beaches in the county are not sampled
as frequently as other beaches.
What Are Massachusetts's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season starts as early as Memorial Day at some beaches and lasts through Labor
Day for most.
The MDPH coordinates the efforts of a range of collaborators including local boards of health, the
Barnstable County Department of Health and the Environment, and the Massachusetts Department
of Conservation and Recreation. The MDPH determines sampling practices, locations, standards,
and notification protocols and practices throughout the state. Samples are collected in 3 feet of
water, 1 foot below the surface. State water quality regulations require that all public and semipublic
freshwater and marine bathing beaches in Massachusetts be monitored during the bathing season
for bacterial contamination. (Semipublic beaches are not open to the general public, but more than a
single owner is allowed use.) The sampling frequency for Massachusetts’s beaches is based on use
and the potential for pollution problems. As noted above, if a beach has been monitored weekly for
the two most recent consecutive years and no exceedance of standards has been found, and if a
sanitary survey conducted by a registered sanitarian reveals no potential sources of pollution at that
beach, the beach managing entity may be allowed to sample less frequently.
Beachwater quality samples must be taken in the areas where there are the most swimmers.
However, beach operators are encouraged also to sample where outfalls and other sources of
contamination are present. When an exceedance is found, sampling is generally conducted every
day until the standards are met, after which the beach is reopened. Also, beaches that issue
preemptive rainfall advisories generally sample on the day of rainfall or the day after. States that
monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found or after rainfall will tend to have higher percent
exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency
did not increase after an exceedance or a rain event.
863 days in 2012 from 1,273 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 1,256 days in 2010, 1,478
days in 2009, and 1,102 days in 2008. In addition, there were 2 extended events (156 days total)
and no permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not
more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive
weeks. For the 323 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 80% (690) of closing/advisory days
were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, 16% (139) were preemptive due to
heavy rainfall, and 4% (34) were preemptive due to other reasons.
How Does Massachusetts Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Beaches are closed to swimming when the single-sample maximum or the geometric mean standard
is exceeded. Whether beach action days are reported to the EPA as closings or advisories,
restrictions and notifications are the same. For marine beaches, the standard is a single-sample
enterococcus maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml, or the geometric mean of the five most recent samples
within the current bathing season of 35 cfu/100 ml. There is no requirement that the geometric mean
be calculated on the basis of samples taken over a 30-day period.
In addition to fecal indicator bacteria monitoring, beaches must be tested for oil, hazardous
materials, and heavy metals if there is information indicating possible contamination.
Preemptive rainfall standards are in use at several beaches on Boston Harbor, and preemptive
rainfall closings are issued after any significant rainstorm at a bathing beach with a history of
violations of water quality standards. In addition to preemptive rainfall closings and closings due to
bacterial exceedances, the local board of health and/or MDPH can close a beach for any other
reason if they believe there is a threat to human health, such as an oil spill. Beaches also can be
closed if there is a red tide (a bloom of the harmful algal bacterium Alexandrium) that decreases
visibility in the water to such an extent that the beach operator considers it a rescue safety hazard.
Local boards of health can also preemptively close beaches that have consistently elevated bacterial
indicator levels.
Massachusetts 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory
Days4
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
29 Commercial Street
2
1/week
16
19%
2
view
Barnstable
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Acapesket Improvement
Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Allen Harbor
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Andrew Harding Lane Beach
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Atkins Lane
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Atlantic Avenue in Harwich
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Atlantic Avenue in
Provincetown
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Ballston
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bank Street - Bayview Rd
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Barlows Landing
2
1/week
8
13%
1
view
Barnstable
Bass River - East
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bass River - West
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Baxter Avenue
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bay Road
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bayshore Homeowners
Association
no
data
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Bayview
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bayview Street
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bikepath Beach (Trunk River)
East
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
County
Beach
Barnstable
Bikepath Beach (Trunk River)
West
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Boat Meadow
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bone Hill
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bowerman Beach Club
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Breakwater Landing
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Brewster Dunes
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable Briarwood Marine and Science
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Barnstable
Bridge Street
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bristol - East
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bristol - West
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Brooks
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Bucks Creek
2
1/week
21
24%
13
view
Barnstable
Burton Baker
3
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cahoon Hollow
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Callies Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Campground
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Cape Cod Sea Camps (Bay)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Carltow
no
data
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cataumet Harbor
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cedar Point Association
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Chapin Memorial
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Chapoquoit
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Chapoquoit Associates - Front
Beach
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Chapoquoit Associates - Little
Beach
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Chatham Bars Inn
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Chequesset Yacht and
Country Club
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Clipper Lane
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Coast Guard - 1
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Coast Guard - 2
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Coast Guard Town
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Cockle Cove
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cockle Cove Creek - Parking
Lot
2
1/week
13
69%
0 (156)
view
Barnstable
Cockle Cove Creek Ridgevale
2
1/week
13
54%
0
view
Barnstable
Cold Storage
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cold Storage/Pond Village
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cole Road
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Colonial Acres
2
1/week
15
0%
0
-
Barnstable
Colonial Acres - East
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Columbus Avenue
2
1/week
16
6%
0
view
Barnstable
Cook's Brook
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cordwood Road
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Corn Hill
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Corporation
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable Cotuit Bay Shores Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Court Street
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Covell's
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Craigville
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Craigville Beach Club
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Cranberry Hill
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Crocker's Neck
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Crosby Landing
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Cross Street
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Crow's Nest (496 Shore Rd)
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Dowses
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Duck Harbor
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable Dune's Colony (648 Shore Rd)
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Dyer Prince
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Earle Road
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
East (Town) Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
East Sandwich
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Electric Avenue
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Ellis Landing
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Ellis Landing Park
Condominiums
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Englewood
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Estey Avenue
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Falmouth Associates - 564
Surf Drive
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Falmouth Heights - East
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Falmouth Heights - West
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Falmouth Yacht Club
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Fifth Ave (boat launch)
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Barnstable
First Encounter - Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
First Encounter - Spit River
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Fisher
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Follins Pond in Dennis
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Follins Pond in Yarmouth
2
1/week
16
6%
2
view
Barnstable
Forest Street Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Glendon Road (MA998571)
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Glendon Road - West
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Gray Gables
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Gray's Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
3
view
Barnstable
Great Hollow
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Grey Neck
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Haigis
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Halliday Acres
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Harborview
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Hardings - East
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Hardings - West
2
1/week
15
13%
3
view
Barnstable
Hawthorne
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Barnstable Head of the Meadow (National)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Head of the Meadow (National)
- Sampling Point 2
2
1/week
13
8%
2
view
Barnstable
Head of the Meadow (Town)
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Herring Cove (National)
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Herring Cove (National) Sampling Point 2
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Hideaway Village Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Howes Street
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Indian Neck
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Indian Trail
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Inman Road
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Jacknife Harbor
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Jetty Lane
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Johnson Street
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Kalmus Ocean
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Kalmus Yacht
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Kellers Corner
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Barnstable
Kendal Lane
2
1/week
17
24%
4
view
Barnstable
Kennedy Memorial
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Kent's Point
3
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Keyes Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Kingsbury
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Lighthouse
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Linnell Landing
3
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Little Inn at Pleasant Bay
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Little Island Beach Preserve
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Little River Road
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Longnook
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Lookout Bluff
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Loops
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Maguires Landing
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Malfa Road
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Mants
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Marconi (National Seashore) Sampling Point 1
2
1/week
13
8%
3
view
Barnstable
Marconi (National Seashore) Sampling Point 2
2
1/week
13
8%
3
view
Barnstable
Mashpee Neck Road (Town
Landing)
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Maushup Village
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Mayflower
2
1/week
17
12%
2
view
Barnstable
Mayo
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Meeting House Pond
3
1/week
14
21%
3
view
Barnstable
Megansett (MA360119)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Megansett - North
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Megansett Yacht Club
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Menauhant - East
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Menauhant - West
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Merkel Beach (Snow Inn
Road)
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Mill Road
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Millway
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Monument
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Nauset
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Nauset Light (National
Seashore) - Sampling Point 1
2
1/week
15
7%
3
view
Barnstable
Nauset Light (National
Seashore) - Sampling Point 2
2
1/week
15
13%
5
view
Barnstable
Neel Road
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
New Seabury Inn
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
New Silver (Silver Beach
Improvement Association)
2
1/week
13
8%
0
view
Barnstable
Newcomb Hollow
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Nobska Beach Association
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Noon's Landing
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Ocean Edge
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Ocean Edge - 1
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Old Mill Point Association - left
of Jetty
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Old Mill Point Association Right of Jetty
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Old Silver 1 - Central
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Old Silver 2 - North
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Old Silver 2 - South
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Old Silver Beach Estates
Assoc.
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Omaha Road
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Oregon
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Oyster Harbors Club
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Oyster Place
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Oyster Pond
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Paines Creek
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Pamet Harbor
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Parkers River East
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Parkers River West
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Patiusset Beach
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Paw Wah Pond
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pilgrim Pine Acres
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pinelands Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pleasant Bay in Harwich
3
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pleasant Bay in Orleans
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pleasant Road
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pleasant Street
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Pocasset Beach Improvement
Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Point of Rocks
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Popponesset
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Popponesset Beach
Association
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Barnstable
Popponesset Spit
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Powers Landing
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Priscilla's Landing
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Provincetown Inn Rotary
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Quanset Harbor Club
Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Quisset Beach Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Race Point (National
Seashore)
2
1/week
12
8%
2
view
Barnstable
Race Point (National
Seashore), Point 2
2
1/week
12
8%
2
view
Barnstable
Racing Beach Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Raycroft
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Red River - East
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Red River - Middle
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Red River - West
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Ridgevale
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Robbins Hill
2
1/week
14
7%
2
view
Barnstable
Rock Harbor
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Barnstable
Ropes
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Ryder
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Ryder Street - Left
2
1/week
19
16%
20
view
Barnstable
Ryder Street - Middle
2
1/week
19
16%
23
view
Barnstable
Ryder Street - Right
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
S. Sunken Meadow
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Saconessett Hills Association
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sagamore
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Salt Pond
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sandy Neck
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Scatteree Town Landing
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Scraggy Neck Recreation
Association
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Scudder Lane
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Scusset (DCR - DSPR)
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sea Pines
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sea Street (Dennisport)
3
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sea Street (East Dennis)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seabreeze
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seacoast Shores Associates,
Inc.
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seacrest Resort
2
1/week
15
13%
0
-
Barnstable
Seagull (Center)
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seagull (Left)
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seagull (Right)
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seaside Park Improvement
Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Seaview Ave. Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Seconsett Island Causeway
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Shearwater Association
no
data
1/week
12
0%
0
-
Barnstable Shorewood Beach Association
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Silver Springs Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sippewissett Highlands Trust
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Skaket Beach
3
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Skaket Beach Condominiums
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
South Cape Beach (DCR DSPR)
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
South Cape Civic Association
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Barnstable
South Middle
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
South Village
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Stone Horse Yacht Club
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Stoney Beach (MBL)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sullivan (Depot St.)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Sunset
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable Sunset Village (379 Shore Rd)
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Surf Drive - 1
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Surf Drive - East
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Surf Drive - Pool
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Tahanto Associates, Inc.
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Thatcher Town Park
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
The Belmont
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
The Gut (Great Island)
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Thumpertown
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Tides Hotel - Falmouth
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Torrey Beach Community
Association
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Town Cove in Eastham
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Town Cove in Orleans
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Town Landing - Breakwater
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Barnstable
Town Landing - Snail Road
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Barnstable
Town Landing Beach Point
2
1/week
14
14%
2
view
Barnstable
Town Landing West of Coast
Guard
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
Town Neck (Horizons)
3
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable Town Neck-End of Boardwalk
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Town Neck-Mill Creek
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Trotting Park
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Vernon St.
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Veterans
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wah Wah Taysee Road
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wequasett Inn Resort
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
West Dennis - Residential
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
West Dennis - Snack Bar
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Barnstable
West Dennis - West
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Barnstable
West End Lot
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Barnstable
White Crest
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wianno Avenue
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wianno Club (Salt-107
Seaview)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wilbur Park
2
1/week
8
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wild Harbour Estates
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Windmill
2
1/week
17
12%
0
view
Barnstable
Wings Neck Trust Association
(North Beach)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wings Neck Trust Association
(South Beach)
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Winston Ave
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wood Neck Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wood Neck River
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Barnstable
Wychmere Beach Club
2
1/week
13
0%
0
-
Barnstable
Zylpha
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Bristol
400 North
2
1/week
15
0%
3
view
Bristol
400 South
2
1/week
15
7%
3
view
Bristol
Anthony's
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Apponagansett Town Beach
2
1/week
8
13%
7
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Bristol
Baker's Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Bristol
Bayview
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
C & K Club
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Cedar Cove
2
1/week
9
0%
8
view
Bristol
Cherry & Webb
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Bristol
Coles River Club off Harbor Rd
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Davy's Locker
2
1/week
15
7%
3
view
Bristol
Demarest Lloyd (DCR - DSPR)
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Bristol
East Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Bristol
Elephant Rock
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Fort Phoenix (DCR - DSPR)
2
1/week
19
16%
5
view
Bristol
Fort Phoenix - Town Beach
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Bristol
Hidden Bay
2
1/week
12
8%
7
view
Bristol
Horseneck (DCR - DSPR)
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Bristol
J. Beach
2
1/week
15
7%
3
view
Bristol
Jones Town Beach
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Bristol
Jones Town Beach North
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Bristol
Kids Beach
2
1/week
14
0%
2
view
Bristol
Knollmere (Weeden Road)
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Bristol
Leeside
2
1/week
12
8%
5
view
Bristol
Manhattan Avenue
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Bristol
Moses Smith Creek
2
1/week
12
8%
7
view
Bristol
Nonquitt
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
O'Tools
2
1/week
14
0%
2
view
Bristol
Oak Hill Shores
2
1/week
12
8%
6
view
Bristol
Pearse
2
1/week
12
42%
27
view
Bristol
Raymond Street
2
1/week
11
9%
1
view
Bristol
Round Hill
3
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Salter's Point East
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Salter's Point South
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Sandy Beach
2
1/week
12
8%
5
view
Bristol
Seaview
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Bristol
Spindle Rock
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Bristol
Squid
2
1/week
15
7%
3
view
Bristol
Tabor Park South
2
1/week
14
0%
2
view
Bristol
Tower 1
2
1/week
14
0%
2
view
Bristol
Tower 4
2
1/week
14
0%
2
view
Bristol
Town Beach in Swansea
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Bristol
Town Beach in Westport
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Bristol
West Island Causeway
3
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Bristol
West Island Town Beach
3
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Dukes
Bend in the Road
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Chappy Beach Club
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Chappy Point Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
East Beach (Chappy)
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Eastville Town Beach Drawbridge
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Dukes
Eastville Town Beach - Harbor
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Fuller Street
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Great Pond at Long Point
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Dukes
Great Rock Bight
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Hilman's Point
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Joseph Sylvia State Beach Little Bridge
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Joseph Sylvia State Beach Sound
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Katama Point
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Dukes
Lambert's Cove Beach - North
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Dukes
Lambert's Cove Beach - South
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Dukes
Lobsterville
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Madera Cove
2
1/week
12
17%
8
view
Dukes
Makonikey Roads and Beach
Trust
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Dukes
Marinelli (Jetty) Beach
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Menemsha
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Mink Meadows
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Dukes
Moshup Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Dukes
Naushon Beach (Makonikey
Roads and Beach)
2
1/week
10
0%
0
-
Dukes
Norton Point Beach
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Ocean at Chilmark Pond
Preserve
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Dukes
Ocean at Edgartown Great
Pond
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Ocean at Long Point - East
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Dukes
Ocean at Long Point - West
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Dukes
Ocean at Lucy Vincent Beach
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Dukes
Ocean at Squibnocket Beach
2
1/week
13
8%
0
view
Dukes
Owen Little Way
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Dukes
Owen Park
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Pay Beach
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Dukes
Pay Beach - Inkwell
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Dukes
Pecoy Point Preserve Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Dukes
Philbin Beach
2
1/week
11
9%
0
view
Dukes
Pond at Lucy Vincent Beach
2
1/week
18
33%
41
view
Dukes
Ramble Trail Preserve Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Dukes
Red Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Sepiessa Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Dukes
Seven Gates Beach
(MA689705)
2
1/week
10
10%
0
view
Dukes
Seven Gates Beach
(MA856169)
2
1/week
11
9%
3
view
Dukes
Sound at Wilfred's Pond
Reserve
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
South Beach State Park
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
South Beach State Park Middle
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
South Beach State Park - West
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Tashmoo Beach
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Dukes
Tashmoo Cut
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Dukes
Tisbury Great Pond
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Dukes
Vineyard Harbor Motel
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Dukes
Wasque Swim Beach
2
1/month
1
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Essex
Back
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Black
2
1/week
16
6%
1
view
Essex
Black Rock
2
1/week
14
7%
7
view
Essex
Brackenbury
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Camp Naumkeag
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Canoe
2
1/week
14
7%
5
view
Essex
Cape Hedge
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Children's Island - Back
2
1/week
10
10%
0
view
Essex
Children's Island - Dock
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Essex
Children's Island - Wally
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Essex
Clammer's Beach
2
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Essex
Clark
2
1/week
16
0%
1
view
Essex
Collins Cove
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Crane
3
1/month
5
0%
1
view
Essex
Cressy's
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Crocker Park
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Essex
Dane Street (MA424085)
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Essex
Dane Street - Bathhouse
2
1/week
14
14%
2
view
Essex
Dead Horse
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Essex
Devereux
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Essex
Eisman's
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Fisherman's
2
1/week
16
25%
5
view
Essex
Forest River Point
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Essex
Forty Steps Beach
no
data
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Front Beach in Essex
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Essex
Front Beach in Rockport
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Gas House
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Essex
Goat Hill
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Essex
Good Harbor
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Good Harbor Creek
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Grace Oliver
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Essex
Half Moon
3
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Essex
Independence Park
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Essex
Juniper Point
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Kings
2
1/week
13
8%
1
view
Essex
Kings (DCR - DUPR)
no
data
<1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Kings at Kimball
2
1/day
75
8%
10
view
Essex
Kings at Pierce Road
2
1/day
73
11%
10
view
Essex
Kings at Stacy Brook
2
1/day
76
22%
10
view
Essex
Little Neck
no
data
1/week
16
0%
1
view
Essex
Long - Gloucester
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Long - North
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Lynch Park
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Mackey
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Essex
Magnolia
2
1/week
17
12%
2
view
Essex
Magnolia - Right of bath &
Tennis
2
1/week
15
0%
1
view
Essex
Mingo
2
1/week
14
14%
3
view
Essex
Nahant Beach - Flagpole
2
1/week
16
6%
1
view
Essex
Nahant Beach - N. of
Bathhouse
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Nahant Beach - Parking
Section 9
2
1/week
15
7%
0
view
Essex
Nahant Beach - South
2
1/week
16
6%
1
view
Essex
Niles
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Obear Park
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Essex
Ocean Avenue
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Old Garden
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Osgood
2
1/week
13
15%
5
view
Essex
Pavillion
3
1/month
5
0%
1
view
Essex
Pavillion Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Pebble
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Essex
Phillips
3
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Pioneer
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Plum Cove
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Plum Island
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Essex
Plum Island - End of Island 1
3
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Plum Island - End of Island 2
3
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Plum Island at 55th St
3
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Plum Island at Point
3
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Preston
2
1/week
13
8%
1
view
Essex
Rice (MA530831)
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Essex
Rice in Beverly
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Salisbury (DCR - DSPR)
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Essex
Salisbury - North Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Essex
Sandy Beach
2
1/week
14
14%
23
view
Essex
Sandy Point
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Essex
Short
2
1/week
15
7%
2
view
Essex
Singing - 1
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Singing - Right of Parking
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Essex
Steep Hill
2
1/week
14
0%
1
view
Essex
Steps
2
2/month
6
0%
4
view
Essex
Stramski
2
1/week
16
19%
3
view
Essex
Sunset Road
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Essex
Tuck's Point
2
1/week
17
12%
3
view
Essex
Tudor
2
1/week
16
13%
9
view
Essex
Village Street
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Essex
West
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Essex
West Manchester
2
1/week
19
16%
5
view
Essex
Whales
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Essex
White
2
1/week
19
11%
3
view
Essex
Willow Avenue
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Essex
Willows Pier
2
2/month
9
0%
0
view
Essex
Wingearsheek
2
1/week
16
6%
2
view
Essex
Winter Island (Waikiki)
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Essex
Woodbury
2
1/week
16
19%
4
view
Nantucket
40th Pole 1
2
1/week
13
15%
2
view
Nantucket
Children's
2
1/week
18
22%
14
view
Nantucket
Cisco
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Nantucket
Cliffside
3
1/month
3
0%
1
view
Nantucket
Cliffside Motel
2
1/week
9
11%
0
view
Nantucket
Dionis
2
1/week
13
15%
2
view
Nantucket
Jetties
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Nantucket
Madaket
3
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Nantucket
Miacomet
3
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Nantucket
Sconset 1
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nantucket
Sewerbeds
3
1/week
13
15%
2
view
Nantucket
Surfside 1
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nantucket
Surfside 2
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nantucket
Warren's Landing
3
1/week
11
9%
6
view
Nantucket
Washing Pond
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Nantucket
Washington Street
2
1/week
13
15%
2
view
Nantucket
Wauwinet Bayside
2
1/week
12
8%
0
view
Nantucket
Wauwinet Oceanside
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Avalon
2
1/week
13
8%
1
view
Norfolk
Bassing's (Sailing Club)
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Black Rock
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Broady (Baker)
2
1/week
19
21%
14
view
Norfolk
Chikatawbot
2
1/week
13
15%
7
view
Norfolk
Delano Ave.
2
1/week
15
20%
7
view
Norfolk
Edgewater
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Norfolk
George E. Lane
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Germantown Firestation
2
1/week
14
14%
6
view
Norfolk
Heron
2
1/week
14
14%
2
view
Norfolk
Merrymount
2
1/week
13
8%
5
view
Norfolk
Mound
2
1/week
14
14%
7
view
Norfolk
Nickerson
2
1/week
13
8%
1
view
Norfolk
Orchard Street
2
1/week
14
14%
2
view
Norfolk
Parkhurst
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Rhoda
2
1/week
15
13%
8
view
Norfolk
Sandy
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Sandy Cove
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Norfolk
Smith Beach
2
1/week
13
31%
15
view
Norfolk
Wessagusett (Old
Wessagussett)
3
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Wollaston at Channing
1
1/day
76
13%
29
view
Norfolk
Wollaston at Milton
1
1/day
74
3%
17
view
Norfolk
Wollaston at Rice
1
1/day
74
5%
18
view
Norfolk
Wollaston at Sachem
1
1/day
75
7%
25
view
Norfolk
Yacht Club
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Plymouth
A Street Bay Side
2
1/week
14
14%
2
view
Plymouth
A Street Ocean
2
1/week
13
8%
1
view
Plymouth
Antasawomak - 1
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Antasawomak - 2
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Aucoot
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Belair
2
1/week
12
8%
2
view
Plymouth
Beverly Yacht
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Brant Beach
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Brant Rock
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Briarwood
2
1/week
15
13%
15
view
Plymouth
Center Hill Road
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Plymouth
Converse Point
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Crescent
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Darcy's
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Dexter Lane
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Duxbury Beach at Bath House
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
East Boulevard
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Edgewater
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Egypt
2
1/week
17
18%
13
view
Plymouth
Fieldston - Hartford Rd
2
1/week
13
8%
2
view
Plymouth
Fieldston - Sunrise
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Forbes
2
1/week
15
20%
21
view
Plymouth
Gray's
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Green Harbor
2
1/week
11
0%
7
view
Plymouth
Gunrock
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Hamilton Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Plymouth
Harbor 1
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Harbor 2
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Hollywoods - 1
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Hollywoods - 2
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Humarock
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Indian Mound Beach
2
1/week
15
7%
7
view
Plymouth
Island Wharf
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Plymouth
James Ave.
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Kenburma
2
2/month
6
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Kimball
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Plymouth
Land Trust Reservation
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Landing Road
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Leisure Shores
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Little Harbor
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Martin's Cove
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Plymouth
Mattapoisett Shores
Association
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Minot
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Plymouth
Nantasket at bathhouse
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Nantasket at North Site
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Nantasket at Park St.
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Nantasket at Water St.
2
1/week
15
7%
0
view
Plymouth
Ned's Point
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Nelson Street
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Newport
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Plymouth
North
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
North Boulevard
2
1/week
15
7%
7
view
Plymouth
Oakdale Avenue
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Onset
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Otis
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Plymouth
Parkwood
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Peases Point
2
1/week
11
9%
1
view
Plymouth
Peases Point (West)
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Peggotty
2
1/week
13
15%
3
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Plymouth
Pinehurst
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Piney Point
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Planting Island
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Plymouth (MA552169)
2
1/week
15
7%
0
view
Plymouth
Plymouth (MA786288)
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Plymouth (MA819257)
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Point Connett
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Point Independence
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Residents Beach (Duxbury
Beach)
2
1/week
14
14%
3
view
Plymouth
Rexhame
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Riverside Avenue
3
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Rocky Nook
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Sand Hills
2
1/week
12
8%
2
view
Plymouth
Scituate Lighthouse
2
1/week
12
8%
0
view
Plymouth
Seal Cove
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Shell Point
3
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Shipyard Lane
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Silver Shell
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Silver Shell - South Jetty
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Standish Shores
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Plymouth
Swift's
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Swift's Neck
2
2/month
8
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Tabor Academy
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Tabor Academy - 1
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Town Beach in Hingham
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Town Beach in Mattapoisett
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Wampatuck
2
1/week
12
8%
1
view
Plymouth
West End
2
1/week
12
8%
5
view
Plymouth
White Horse - Full Sail
2
1/week
13
8%
0
view
Plymouth
White Horse - Hill Top
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Plymouth
XYZ
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Plymouth
Yacht Club
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Carson Beach (DCR - DUPR)
1
1/day
76
1%
1
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory View
days
Suffolk
Carson Beach at Bath House
(DCR - DUPR)
1
1/day
75
1%
1
view
Suffolk
City Point Beach (DCR)
1
1/day
76
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Constitution - Middle
1
1/day
75
7%
13
view
Suffolk
Constitution - North
1
1/day
76
12%
13
view
Suffolk
Constitution - Rec. Center
1
1/day
76
5%
13
view
Suffolk
Donovans
2
1/week
14
36%
39
view
Suffolk
Grandview
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Suffolk
Halford
2
1/week
14
14%
26
view
Suffolk
Lovell's Island (DCR - DUPR)
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
M Street Beach at M Street
(DCR - DUPR)
1
1/day
75
1%
0
view
Suffolk
Malibu (DCR - DUPR)
2
1/week
18
11%
2
view
Suffolk
Pico
2
1/week
14
14%
18
view
Suffolk
Pleasure Bay at Broadway
(DCR - DUPR)
2
1/day
76
1%
3
view
Suffolk
Pleasure Bay, South Flagpole
2
1/day
76
1%
1
view
Suffolk
Pleasure Bay, Sullivans
2
1/day
76
11%
1
view
Suffolk
Revere Beach - Oak Island
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Revere Beach - Point of Pines
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Revere Beach - Shirley St.
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Revere Beach at State Police
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Savin Hill (DCR - DUPR)
2
1/week
17
12%
2
view
Suffolk
Short (DCR - DUPR)
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Spectacle Island
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Tenean (DCR - DUPR)
1
1/day
77
6%
21
view
Suffolk
Winthrop (DCR - DUPR)
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Yerrill
2
1/week
14
7%
5
view
2. Per conversations with the Massachusetts Department of Health, NRDC learned that several
beaches are no longer monitored by towns due to budgetary reasons, staffing issues, low
usage, or lack of access (more common for beaches on Cape Cod and the state’s islands,
where storm damage can change the shoreline). Additionally, some beaches with multiple
sampling points have had the number of locations reduced, and some locations near each
other have been combined or are using surrogates.
State Summary: Michigan
Key Findings in Michigan
Michigan 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary


84 (26%) other contamination sources


2 (1%) wildlife
Michigan has more than 600 public beaches stretching along more than 3,200 miles of Great Lakes
coastline. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the state's BEACH
Act grant.
Michigan?
Lake St. Clair Metropark Beach
Macomb County is installing green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff and improve the water
quality at Lake St. Clair. With funds from a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant, Macomb County
will remove 8,500 square feet of parking lot surface at Lake St. Clair Metropark beach and replace it
with a 15,800-square-foot porous-pavement driveway and 11,500-square-foot rain garden including
native vegetation. Under the parking lot there will be deep swales to intercept the water, thereby
preventing it from directly entering Lake St. Clair. The project is designed to increase infiltration,
resulting in lower E. coli levels and fewer beach closures.
Chrysler Park Beach
In 2012, Chrysler Park Beach had the highest exceedance rate (29%) of any Michigan beach. With
help from a $500,000 grant from the U.S. EPA, a project is currently under way to to reduce the
number of E.coli exccedances and reduce beach closures. The project includes planting geesedeterring grasses to reduce the amount of feces flowing to the water, and re-channeling stormwater
into rain gardens for infiltration.
Bryant Park Beach
To protect swimmers from historically high E. coli levels at Bryant Park, The Watershed Center and
Traverse City partnered with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality using funds from the
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to install a new stormwater runoff filtering system. This project
includes a series of tanks to remove trash and sediment before the water enters a large
underground filtering system. The goal is for bacteria, oils, and other pollutants to be broken down
by soil microbes.
Testing has determined that E. coli in the stormwater runoff is likely caused by feces from pets as
well as wildlife such as raccoons and deer. Due to increased development in the area and poor
design of the stormwater system, runoff frequently would overload the old infrastructure, washing
over the beach and eroding large amounts of sand into the bay. The new system should help to
reduce E. coli levels and protect swimmers from bacteria.
Other green infrastructure projects are under way at Marquette South Beach, Sherman Park, Four
Mile Beach, East Bay Park Beach, Suttons Bay Beach, New Buffalo City Beach, Brimley State Park,
and Tawas Bay Beaches.
Rapid Test Methods
Current approved methods for determining fecal indicator bacteria counts in beachwater depend on
growth of cultures and take at least 24 hours to complete. Because of this, swimmers do not know
until the next day if the water they swam in was contaminated. There is a great deal of interest in
technologies that can provide same-day beachwater quality results. After field testing qPCR, which
identifies genetic sequences in order to enumerate bacteria, in 2011, a few selected beaches in
Michigan began using qPCR to test for enteroccocus in 2012. The Bay County Health Department
and Saginaw Valley University are partnering to use qPCR to monitor the Bay City Recreation Area.
Several other health departments are using the immunomagnetic separation-adenosine triphosphate
(IMS-ATP) rapid method to monitor beaches
Several beaches are using qPCR for microbial source tracking (MST) but not for routine monitoring.
Beaches included in this MST effort include Whites Beach in Arenac County; Bay City State
Recreation Area in Bay County; Four Mile Beach and Sugar Island Township Park Beach in
Chippewa County; Caseville County Park Beach in Huron County; Grand Haven City Beach, Grand
Haven State Park, and Rosy Mound Recreation Area in Ottawa County; Pier Park in Wayne County;
Traverse City State Park Beach, Bryant Park Beach, and East Bay Park Beach in Grand Traverse
County; and St. Clair Shores Veterans Memorial Park Beach and H.C.M.A. Metropolitan Beach
Metropark in Macomb County. The procedure for determining whether to issue an advisory or a
closure on the basis of predicted water quality results at these beaches is undergoing further testing
and refinement during the 2013 beach season. In 2012, notifications at the beaches testing models
were based on traditional culture techniques, not on predicted water quality.
Statewide Implementation of Sanitary Surveys
Sanitary surveys are systematic investigations that are used to identify potential sources of human
sewage pollution. In 2012, at 238 beaches throughout Michigan, 3,804 routine surveys were
conducted when samples were collected, and in-depth sanitary surveys will now be done annually.
This effort, funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is critical in identifying sources of
beachwater contamination, especially during rain events.
In 2012, Michigan reported 639 coastal beaches. Of these, 41 (6%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of more than once a week, 200 (31%) once a week, 1 (<1%) once a month, 2 (<1%) less
than once a month, and 395 (62%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 5% of all
cfu/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard
in 2012 were Chrysler Park Beach in St. Clair County (29%); Rogers Beach (27%) and Manistique
Township Park (21%) in Schoolcraft County; Grand Haven State Park in Ottawa County (20%); and
Kiwanis Beach in Mackinac County (19%).
Ontonagon County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (17%),
followed by Arenac (12%), Marquette (9%), Wayne (9%), St. Clair (9%), Ottawa (8%), Mackinac
(8%), Chippewa (7%), Menominee (6%), Macomb (6%), Iosco (6%), Berrien (5%), Alpena (5%), Bay
(5%), Muskegon (4%), Grand Traverse (4%), Houghton (3%), Van Buren (3%), Presque Isle (3%),
Huron (2%), Antrim (2%), Delta (2%), Manistee (2%), Emmet (2%), Allegan (2%), Charlevoix (2%),
Alger (1%), Leelanau (1%), Alcona (1%), Sanilac (1%), Cheboygan (1%), and Monroe (1%). No
samples taken in Baraga, Benzie, Keweenaw, Oceana, and Mason Counties exceeded the daily
maximum standard (note: Baraga, Benzie, and Keweenaw Counties each had only one site
monitored in 2012. An additional 12 sites in Baraga County, 6 sites in Benize County, and 13 sites in
Keweenaw County were not monitored in 2012).
NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent
With the state's help, NRDC is hoping to include data for Michigan's federally owned beaches in the
future. There is no BEACH Act funding available for these beaches, and their information is not
collected and disseminated the way information for non-federal coastal beaches is.
What Are Michigan's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season runs from April to October. Sampling practices, locations, standards, and
notification protocols and practices are uniform throughout the state. Samples are taken 1 foot below
the surface in water that is 3 to 6 feet deep. Beaches are selected for monitoring on the basis of
location, with priority given to more frequently used beaches, those with a history of bacterial
contamination, and those in close proximity to a known bacterial contamination source.
At the discrection of the local health department, the monitoring frequency of a beach that has been
closed or placed under advisory can be increased. In most cases, resampling is conducted the day a
beach is closed or placed under advisory. States that monitor more frequently after an advisory is
issued will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days than
they would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an advisory or closing was issued.
324 days in 2012 from 404 days in 2011. For previous years, there were 363 days in 2010, 342 days
in 2009, and 265 days in 2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2012.
consecutive weeks or less, 92% (297) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed
elevated bacteria levels, 7% (22) were preemptive due to other reasons, and 2% (5) were
preemptive due to heavy rainfall.
How Does Michigan Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Michigan issues both advisories and closings, using a geometric mean standard of 130 cfu/100 ml
for all the individual samples taken during five or more sampling events representatively spread over
a 30-day period, and a daily sampling event standard of 300 cfu/100 ml. At each sampling event,
three or more samples are taken and the geometric mean of the sampling results is compared with
the daily standard. Resamples to confirm an exceedance are sometimes conducted at Michigan's
Great Lakes beaches before an advisory or closing is issued.
Some Michigan health departments issue preemptive rainfall advisories, applying standards that are
based on rainfall amount. Beach advisories and closures may be issued for riptides, spills, harmful
algal blooms, and other potential threats to public health.
As discussed above, some Michigan counties are starting to use models that predict beachwater
quality. Such models are not useful at all beaches, but where they are, they provide a cost-effective
means of issuing notifications based on current water quality conditions rather than on conditions
that existed the day the last sample was collected. The models are constructed using historical data
about conditions such as wave height, tide, temperature, and wind speed, combined with monitoring
data.
Michigan 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Alcona
Black River Public Access
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Alcona
Greenbush Township
1
1/week
57
0%
0
view
Alcona
Harrisville Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alcona
Harrisville State Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Alcona
Negwegon State Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Alcona
Sturgeon Point State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alcona
Trask Lake Road Beach
1
1/week
48
4%
0
view
Alger
Au Train Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Alger
Bay Furnace Recreation Area
Beach
1
<1/month
3
0%
0
view
Alger
Christmas Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Grand Marais Harbor Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Grand Marais Township Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Grand Portal Point-Public
Shoreline
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Munising Beach
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Alger
Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore-Chapel Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
no
Lakeshore-Hurricane Campground
data
Beach
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Alger
Lakeshore-Miners Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Lakeshore-Mosquito Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Alger
Lakeshore-Sand Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Lakeshore-Twelvemile Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Public Shoreline Beach-Au Train
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Public Shoreline Beach-Au Train
to Five Mile Pts
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Public Shoreline Beach-East
County Border area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Public Shoreline Beach-Grand
Sable Dunes
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Alger
Rathfoot Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Roadside Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
none
0
0%
0
view
Alger
Sand Point to Miners Castle Point- no
Public Shoreline
data
Alger
Sullivans Landing
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Allegan
Castle Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Allegan
Douglas Beach
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Allegan
Laketown Township
1
1/week
51
0%
0
-
Allegan
Oval Beach
1
1/week
47
2%
2
view
Allegan
Pier Cove Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Allegan
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Shoreline Beach
1
1/week
48
4%
2
view
Allegan
West Side County Park Beach
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Alpena
Bay View Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Blair Street Park
1
1/week
45
11%
2
view
Alpena
Elcajon Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Issineke Hardwood Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Michekewis Beach
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Alpena
Negwegon State Park-Ossineke
South Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Ossineke Beach
1
1/week
38
8%
0
view
Alpena
Ossineke Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Ossineke State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Partridge Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Rock Port Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Alpena
Starlite Beach
1
1/week
36
6%
0
view
Alpena
Thompson Park
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Alpena
Whitefish Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Antrim County Day Park North
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Antrim County Day Park South
1
1/week
57
2%
0
view
Antrim
Antrim Creek Natural Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Banks Township. Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Antrim
Barnes Park
1
1/week
48
6%
1
view
Antrim
Elk Rapids
1
1/week
57
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Antrim
Elk Rapids Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Erickson Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Lore Road End Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Michigan Trail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Nature Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
North Bay Shore (Conservancy)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
O'Dell Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Petobego Pond Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Road Crossing near Winters Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Antrim
Veterans Memorial Park
1
1/week
48
4%
0
view
Arenac
Arenac County Park
1
1/week
48
13%
6
view
Arenac
Au Sable State Forest- Greens
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
Augres Township Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
Bessinger Road Beach
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Arenac
Booth Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
City of Augres Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
Dime Drain-Harmon Cty Hghts
Beach (monitoring site only, no
access)
1
1/week
37
54%
0
view
Arenac
Dyer Road Beach
1
1/week
46
0%
0
view
Arenac
Foster Road Beach
1
1/week
45
9%
6
view
Arenac
Gordon Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
Hammel Beach Road Access
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Arenac
Pump Station
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
Singing Bridge Beach
1
1/week
129
13%
7
view
Arenac
Terrace Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Arenac
Twining Road Beach
1
1/week
57
2%
0
view
Arenac
Whites Beach
1
1/week
67
9%
0
view
Arenac
Whites Beach- Isle Rd Ramp
1
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Arenac
Whites Beach-LaFave Rd
(monitoring site only, no access)
2
1/week
27
56%
0
view
Arenac
Whites Beach-Point Rd-Culvert
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Arenac
Whites Beach-Wenonah Rd-West
Ramp
2
1/week
18
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Baraga
Arvon Township Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Baraga State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
First Sand Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Keweenaw Bay Village Public
Roadside Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
L'Anse Township Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
L'Anse Waterfront Park
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Baraga
Mouth of the Huron River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Public Shoreline Beach-Cooper
Country Huron Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Public Shoreline Beach-Northwest
Abbaye Peninsula
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Public Shoreline Beach-Point
Abbaye
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Public Shoreline Beach-Sand
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Public Shoreline Beach-SE End of
Huron Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Baraga
Second Sands Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Bay City State Recreation Area
1
4/week
162
1%
0
view
Bay
Brissette Beach Township Park
1
4/week
164
7%
4
view
Bay
Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
North Linwood Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
North Pinconning Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Pinconning Park
1
4/week
168
4%
5
view
Bay
South Linwood Beach Township
Park
1
4/week
168
7%
3
view
Bay
South Pinconning Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bay
Wenona Beach
1
4/week
150
3%
2
view
Benzie
Alberta Village Beach & Bluffs
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Benzie
County Road # 669
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Benzie
Esch Road/Otter Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Benzie
Frankfort: Anchor Road Beach
1
2/week
78
0%
0
view
Benzie
Platte River Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Benzie
Point Betsie Lighthouse Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Benzie
Zettenberg Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Berrien
Bethany Beach area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Cherry Beach
1
1/week
51
8%
1
view
Berrien
Galien River Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Gordon Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Grand Beach
1
1/week
54
11%
2
view
Berrien
Grand Mere State Park- Rosemary
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Grand Mere State Park- Shoreline
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Grand Mere State ParkWaverland Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Hagar Township Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Berrien
Harbert Beach
1
1/month
15
13%
2
view
Berrien
Jean Klock Park
1
1/week
51
8%
0
view
Berrien
Lincoln Township Park
1
1/week
54
4%
0
view
Berrien
Lions Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Berrien
Michiana Village
1
1/week
48
6%
0
view
Berrien
Mizpah Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
New Buffalo City
1
1/week
55
15%
3
view
Berrien
Rocky Gap
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Berrien
Silver Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Berrien
Tiscornia Park
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
Berrien
Warren Dunes Beach
1
1/week
51
12%
2
view
Berrien
Warren Dunes State Park North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Berrien
Weko Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Beaver Island Public Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Bill Wagner Memorial
Campground Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Depot Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Donegal Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
East Jordan Tourist Park
1
1/week
57
11%
2
view
Charlevoix
Elm Point Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Ferry Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Fisherman's Island State Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Glenwood Beach
2
1/week
45
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Charlevoix
Harbor Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Hayes Township Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Iron Ore Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Lake Michigan Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Mt. McSauba Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Norwood Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Peninsula Beach
1
1/week
63
8%
4
view
Charlevoix
Tannery Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Washington Street Beach
2
1/week
46
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Whiting Park Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Charlevoix
Young State Park Beach
1
1/week
57
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Alexander Henry Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Cheboygan City Park
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Cheboygan State Park Duncan
Bay
1
1/week
35
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Cheboygen State ParkLighthouse Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Ditta Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Huron Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Mackinaw City Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Mackinaw City Lighthouse Park
1
1/week
36
3%
0
view
Cheboygan
Mill Creek Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Pinewood Circle Road End Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Roadside Park MDOT, US-23
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Stoney Point Road End Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cheboygan
Wawatam City Park
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Bass Cove Beach-Drummond
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Bayview Campground
1
3/week
162
2%
2
view
Chippewa
Betsey Seaman Memorial ParkDrummond Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Big Pines Beach
1
3/week
165
2%
2
view
Chippewa
Big Shoal Cove Beach
1
1/week
39
13%
0
view
Chippewa
Brimley State Park
1
4/week
222
18%
19
view
Chippewa
De Tour State Park Shoreline
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Beach
Chippewa
Detour Albany Beach
1
1/week
36
8%
0
view
Chippewa
Drummond Island Township Park
1
1/week
39
8%
0
view
Chippewa
Dunbar Park
1
1/week
42
7%
1
view
Chippewa
Four Mile Beach
1
4/week
206
2%
1
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National ForestNodoway Point Area
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Hiawatha National Forest- North of no
Big Pine Picnic
data
none
0
0%
0
view
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National Forest- Pendills no
Bay
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National Forest- Pendills no
Lake
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Chippewa
Hiawatha National Forest- North
Pond
Chippewa
Hiawatha National Forest- Point
Iroquois Light
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National ForestTahquamenon Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National Forest- Waiska
Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National Forest- West of no
Salt Point
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Hiawatha National ForestGovernment Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Lake Superior State ForestMunuscong Lake
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-Browns
Creek Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-Brush
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-Marsh
Lake Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-Northwest
of Two Mile Lake
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-Point Aux
Frenes
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-Raber Bay
stretch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Weatherhog Lake East Area
Chippewa
Public Shoreline BeachWeatherhog Lake West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Public Shoreline Beach-West of
Whitefish Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Sand Bay Beach-Drummond
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Sherman Park
1
4/week
213
8%
4
view
Chippewa
Sugar Island Township Park
1
4/week
213
3%
2
view
Chippewa
Tahquamenon Falls State ParkRiver Mouth Unit
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Whitefish Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Chippewa
Wilderness Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Big Bay De Noc/ Fishdam River
Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Camp Harstad
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Escanaba Bathing Beach
1
1/week
51
0%
0
view
Delta
Fayette State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Fuller Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Gladstone Bathing Beach/Van
Cleve Park
1
1/week
50
4%
0
view
Delta
Little Bay De Noc Public Beach
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Portage Bay Forest Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline BeachCharboneau Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-County
Road 481
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-East
Wilsey Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Fishdam
River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Gilnet
Haven
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Indian
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Indian
Town Lake USFS
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Jacks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Bluff
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Martin Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Nahma
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-North End
of Kregg Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-North of
Stonington
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Ogontz
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Peninsula
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Point
Detour
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Portage
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-Portage
Peninsula
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-St. Vital's
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-USFS
West Wilsey Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Public Shoreline Beach-West Side
of Kregg Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Sac Bay County Park MI354139
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Sac Bay County Park MI405957
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Delta
Twin Springs Campground and
Bathing Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Bliss Township Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Church Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Colonial Michilimamackinac State
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Cross Village Beach
1
1/week
40
0%
0
view
Emmet
Forest Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Mackinaw City Beach #1
1
1/week
54
6%
0
view
Emmet
Mackinaw City Beach #2
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Emmet
Magnus Park
1
1/week
54
6%
0
view
Emmet
Middle Village Park
1
1/week
46
0%
0
view
Emmet
Petoskey Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Emmet
Petoskey State Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Emmet
Readmond Township Beach
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Emmet
Sturgeon Bay Township Beach
2
1/week
43
0%
0
view
Emmet
The Headlands County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Thorne Swift Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Wilderness State Park
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Emmet
Wilderness State Park-East of the
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Wilderness State Park-Sturgeon
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Wilderness State Park-West of
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Emmet
Zoll Street Beach
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Emmet
Zorn Park - Harbor Springs
1
1/week
53
6%
2
view
Gogebic
Black River Harbor Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Gogebic
Little Girls Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Gogebic
Mouth of the Montreal River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Gogebic
Porcupine Mountain State ParkNorth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Gogebic
Presque Isle Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Gogebic
Presque Isle State Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Gogebic
Public Shoreline Beach-West of
Black River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Acme Roadside Park & Beach
MDOT
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Acme Roadside Park (DNR)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Archie Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Bayside Acme Township Park
1
2/week
87
11%
4
view
Grand
Traverse
Bowers Harbor Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Bryant Park Beach
1
2/week
81
4%
1
view
Grand
Traverse
Clinch Park
1
2/week
79
0%
0
view
Grand
Deep Water Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Traverse
Grand
Traverse
DNR Launch/Beach Center Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
East Bay Park (Milliken Park)
1
2/week
82
5%
1
view
Grand
Traverse
East Bay Township Four Mile
Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Haserot Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Kroupa Road Access M-22 South
of Crain Hill Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Leffingwell Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Mouth of Boardman
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission - Center Road Natural
Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission - MDOT Right of WaySouth of M-37
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission - Old Mission Point
State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission Lighthouse
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission Peninsula Twp ParkEast of Light House
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission Peninsula Twp ParkWest of Light House
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Old Mission Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Peninsula Volunteer Fire Station
Point #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Power Island Bay Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Rose Street Access at Peninsula
Drive
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Sayler Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Senior Center
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Sunset Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Grand
Traverse
Swaney Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Traverse City State Park
1
2/week
84
4%
1
view
Grand
Traverse
West End Beach
1
2/week
78
1%
0
view
Grand
Traverse
Yuba Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Agate Beach
1
1/week
24
13%
2
view
Houghton
Calument Waterworks Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Chassell Beach
1
1/week
21
10%
0
view
Houghton
Hancock City Beach
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Houghton
Houghton City Beach
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Houghton
Hubbell Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Lake Linden Campground Beach
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Houghton
McLain State Park Beach
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Houghton
Mink Farm
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Public Shoreline Beach-Le
Chance Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Public Shoreline Beach-Mc Lain
State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Public Shoreline Beach-S. of
Portage Entry
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Public Shoreline Beach-Southwest
County Border
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Houghton
Sandy Bottom Beach/ Dollar Bay
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Houghton
White City
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Bird Creek County Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Huron
Caseville County Park
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
Huron
County Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Geiger Road Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Grindstone Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Harbor Beach City Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Huron
Harbor Beach Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Helena Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Jenks County Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Huron
Kinch Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Larned Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Lighthouse County Park
1
1/week
51
10%
1
view
Huron
Lighthouse County Park-South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
McGraw County Park
1
1/week
51
4%
1
view
Huron
Mud Creek Public Acess
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Oak Beach County Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Huron
Philp County Park
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
Huron
Port Crescent State Park Camping Area
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Huron
Port Crescent State Park - Day
Use
1
1/week
51
4%
1
view
Huron
Sleeper State Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Huron
Stafford County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Huron
Thompson Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Huron
Veterans Park
1
1/week
51
8%
1
view
Huron
Wagener County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Iosco
Alabaster Township
1
1/week
48
6%
1
view
Iosco
Au Sable Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Iosco
Au Sable Township Park
1
1/week
54
0%
0
view
Iosco
County Road End.
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Iosco
East Tawas City Park
1
1/week
60
12%
1
view
Iosco
Gateway Park
1
1/week
57
7%
1
view
Iosco
Huron National Forest NorthPublic Shoreline Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Iosco
Huron National Forest SouthPublic Shoreline Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Iosco
Lake To Lake Road
1
1/week
54
0%
0
view
Iosco
MDOT Roadside Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Iosco
NRDC-Alabaster Township
Douglas Drive Beach Use Area
2
none
0
0%
0
-
Iosco
Oscoda Township Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Iosco
Tawas City Park
1
1/week
67
15%
3
view
Iosco
Tawas Point State Park
Campground
1
1/week
51
12%
2
view
Iosco
Tawas Point State Park-Central
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Iosco
Tawas Point State Park-Day Use
area
1
1/week
48
4%
1
view
Iosco
Tawas Point State Park-North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Bete de Gris Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Brunette Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Cat Harbor Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Cooper Harbor Lighthouse
Complex
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Eagle Harbor Beach
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Eagle River Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Fort Wilkins State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Fort Wilkins State Park-East
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Fort Wilkins State Park-West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Great Sands Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Mouth of the Gratiot River Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Point Isabelle Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Public Shoreline Beach-Big
Traverse Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Keweenaw
Public Shoreline Beach-Gay Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Bay Front Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Boughy Park & Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Cathead Bay, Leelanau State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Cedar Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Christmas Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Elmwood/Greilikville Park & Beach
1
2/week
81
1%
1
view
Leelanau
Empire Municipal Beach
1
2/week
79
0%
0
view
Leelanau
G. Marsten Dame Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Gils Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Glen Arbor/Manitou Boulevard
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Graham Green Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Hendryx County Roadside Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Lake Street Beach, Glen Arbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Leelanau State Park, Lighthouse
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Leland Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Leelanau
M-22 at M-72 Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
MDOT Roadside Park & Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
MDOT Roadside Park & Beach M22 N of Cherry Bend D
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
North Bar
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
North Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Northport 4th Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Northport Bay Marina
1
2/week
78
3%
0
view
Leelanau
Northport Haserot Beach, Rose
Street
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Omena Beach & Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Peterson Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Reynolds Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-CR 651
Good Harbor Bay
no
data
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-CR 669
Good Harbor Bay
no
data
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-DH Day
Campground
no
data
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-Esch Road
Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-Glen Haven
Beach
no
data
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-North Bar
Lake MI Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-Peterson
Road Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Sleeping Bear Dunes-Platte Point
Bay
no
data
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Smith Street Beach Northport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Stoney Point County Roadside
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Suttons Bay Marina Park & Beach
South
1
2/week
78
3%
0
view
Leelanau
Suttons Bay Park
1
2/week
79
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Suttons Bay Public Launch and
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Beach
Leelanau
Suttons Bay South Shore Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Leelanau
Thompson Stree Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Blind Sucker River # 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Blind Sucker River # 2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Crisp Point Light House
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Lake Superior Campground Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Mouth of the Two Hearted River
Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Muskallonge Lake State Park
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-Blind
Sucker Flooding Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-Coast
Guard Line Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-County Rd
407
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-County Rd
412 and Crisp Pt
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-Little
Sucker/Two Hearted R
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-Three Mile
Creek Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Public Shoreline Beach-West
County Border Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Unnamed Road End #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Unnamed Road End #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Luce
Unnamed Road End #3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
American Legion Memorial Park
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
Mackinac
Antoine Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Best Western Lakefront
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Big Knob State Forest
Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Black River State Forest
Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Boot Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Coast Guard Pier Boat Launch
and City Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Mackinac
Epoufette Bay Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Foley Creek Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Harbour Light
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Hazelton Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Hiawatha National Forest- Carp
River Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Hog Island Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Horseshoe Bay Wilderness-North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Horseshoe Bay Wilderness-South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
K Royale
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Kewadin Inn
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Kiwanis Beach
1
1/week
58
19%
9
view
Mackinac
MDOT Overlook
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
MDOT Roadside Park on US 2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Miller's Hog Island Subdivision
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Mouth of Cut River Roadside
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Naubinway Bay Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach #2-Little
Hog Island area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach #2Manitou Paymen Highbanks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Hog Island area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Hog Island area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Hog Island area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Epoufette
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Fox Point
Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Little Hog
Island area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Manitou
Paymen Highbanks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-MDNR
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Matrix Point Area
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Morean
Township, Section 25
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline BeachNaubinway Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Pointe
Aux Chenes Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-Seiners
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-South of
Brevort River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Public Shoreline Beach-State
Forest Matrix Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Sand Point
1
1/week
54
17%
3
view
Mackinac
State Roadside Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
State Street Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mackinac
Straits State Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Mackinac
US 2 Roadside East of Brevort
1
1/week
47
0%
0
view
Mackinac
US 2 Roadside/Campground
1
1/week
51
6%
1
view
Mackinac
Wetland Shoreline-St. Martin Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Macomb
H.C.M.A. - Metropolitan Beach
Metropark
1
2/week
409
4%
1
view
Macomb
H.C.M.A.-Huron Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Macomb
New Baltimore Park Beach
1
2/week
200
6%
10
view
Macomb
St. Clair Shores Blossom Heath
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Macomb
St. Clair Shores Memorial Park
Beach
1
2/week
204
9%
6
view
Manistee
Arcadia Park
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Manistee
Bar Lake Outlet
1
1/week
30
3%
0
view
Manistee
Fifth Avenue Beach
1
1/week
51
6%
1
view
Manistee
First Street Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Manistee
Magoon Creek
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Manistee
Onekama Township Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Manistee
Orchard Beach State Park
1
1/week
30
3%
0
view
Manistee
Pierport Township Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Manistee
Portage Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Manistee
Sundling Park
1
1/week
30
3%
0
view
Marquette
Marquette South Beach
1
2/week
78
17%
16
view
Marquette
McCarty's Cove
1
2/week
60
2%
0
view
Marquette
North Beach
1
2/week
63
11%
2
view
Marquette
North of Picnic Rocks
1
2/week
60
3%
0
view
Marquette
Picnic Rocks
1
2/week
60
12%
0
view
Marquette
Public Shoreline Beach-Big Huron
River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Marquette
Public Shoreline Beach-Little
Presque Isle
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Bass Lake Outlet Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Mason
Buttersville Park Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Mason
Ludington State Park Campground
Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Mason
Ludington State Park Public
Shoreline Beach North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Ludington State Park Public
Shoreline Beach South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Manistee National Forest
Campground Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Manistee National Forest-Public
Shoreline Beach N
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Manistee National Forest-Public
Shoreline Beach S
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Pere Marquette Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
South Pier Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Mason
South Summit Beach - Sunset
Boulevard Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Mason
Sterns Park Beach
1
1/week
51
0%
0
view
Mason
Summit Township Beach
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Menominee
Airport Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Menominee
Fox Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Menominee
Henes Park
1
3/week
144
6%
10
view
Menominee
Klienke Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Menominee
Memorial Beach
1
3/week
142
7%
3
view
Menominee
Public Shoreline Beach-Cedar
River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Menominee
Public Shoreline Beach-Fox village
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Menominee
Wells State Park
1
<1/month
3
0%
0
view
Monroe
Avalon Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Bolles Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Detroit Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Estral Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Monroe
LaSalle Township-Toledo Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Lost Peninsula
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Luna Pier City Beach
2
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Monroe
North Cape Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Point Aux Peaux
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Sterling State Park
2
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Monroe
Stoney Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Monroe
Woodland Beach
2
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Montmorency
East Twin Beach/Albert Township
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Bronson/Kruse Park
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Duck Lake Channel Beach
1
1/week
27
7%
0
view
Muskegon
Lake Harbor Park
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Lighthouse/Sylvan Beach
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
Muskegon
Medbury Park Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Meinert County Park
1
1/week
21
14%
0
view
Muskegon
Muskegon State Park
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Muskegon State Park-Shoreline
Beach North
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Old Channel Beach
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Muskegon
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park Campground
1
1/week
21
10%
0
view
Muskegon
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park - Public
Beach Area
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Muskegon
Pere Marquette Park
1
1/week
16
13%
0
view
Muskegon
Pioneer County Park
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Oceana
Cedar Point County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Oceana
Claybanks Township Park
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Oceana
Lighthouse Beach at Silver Lake
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
State Park
Oceana
Mears State Park
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Oceana
Silver Creek Channel
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Oceana
Silver Lake State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Oceana
Stony Lake Channel
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Oceana
Whiskey Creek
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Green Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Gull Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Mouth of the Big Iron River Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Ontonagon Township Park and
Campground
1
1/week
24
17%
2
view
Ontonagon
Porcupine Mountain State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Porcupine Mountains State ParkUnion Bay
1
1/week
24
17%
2
view
Ontonagon
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness
State Park-West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Public Shoreline Beach-Misery
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Public Shoreline Beach-Sleeping
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Public Shoreline Beach-Wolf Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ontonagon
Union Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ottawa
Grand Haven City Beach
1
4/week
45
7%
0
view
Ottawa
Grand Haven State Park
1
1/week
45
20%
0
view
Ottawa
Holland State Park-Lake Michigan
Beach
1
4/week
45
7%
0
view
Ottawa
Kirk Park
1
4/week
45
7%
0
view
Ottawa
Kouw Park
1
4/week
45
2%
0
view
Ottawa
Mountain Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ottawa
North Beach Park
1
1/week
44
14%
0
view
Ottawa
P.J. Hoffmaster State ParkShoreline Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ottawa
Rosy Mound Recreation Area
1
4/week
45
4%
0
view
Ottawa
Tunnel Park
1
4/week
45
4%
0
view
Ottawa
Windsnest Park
1
4/week
45
7%
0
view
Presque Isle
40 Mile Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Presque Isle
Ball Diamond Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Bell Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Evergreen Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Golden Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Grace Access Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Hammond Bay Access Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Hammond Bay Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Hoeft State Park-North
3
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Hoeft State Park-South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Lakeside Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Lakeside Park in Rogers City
1
1/week
41
7%
1
view
Presque Isle
Lakeview Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Manitou Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
New Lighthouse Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Presque Isle Harbor
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Presque Isle Harbor Beach
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Public Shoreline Beach-False
Presque Isle Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Seagull Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
Thompson's Harbor State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
US 23 Hammond Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Presque Isle
US 23 Roger City
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Birch Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Birch Beach Middle #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Birch Beach North #3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Delaware Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Forester County Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Forestville Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Great Lakes Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Lexington Beach
1
1/week
51
4%
5
view
Sanilac
Lexington County Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Port Sanilac Park
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Sanilac County Park #4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sanilac
Sanilac County Roadside Park #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Schoolcraft
Doyle Township Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Schoolcraft
Lakeview Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Schoolcraft
Manistique Township Park
1
1/week
48
21%
9
view
Schoolcraft
Public Shoreline BeachGoudreou's Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Schoolcraft
Public Shoreline Beach-S. of
McDonald Lake
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Schoolcraft
Public Shoreline Beach-Thompson
1
1/week
48
15%
9
view
Schoolcraft
Public Shoreline Beach-Thompson
Village
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Schoolcraft
Roadside Park Beach
1
1/week
48
8%
9
view
Schoolcraft
Rogers Beach
1
1/week
51
27%
27
view
St Clair
Burtchville Township Park
1
1/week
51
0%
1
view
St Clair
Chrysler Park Beach
1
1/week
69
28%
15
view
St Clair
Conger-Lighthouse Beach
1
1/week
54
15%
5
view
St Clair
Fort Gratiot County Park
1
1/week
48
2%
3
view
St Clair
Holland Road Beach
1
1/week
71
17%
24
view
St Clair
Jeddo Road Beach
1
1/week
51
6%
2
view
St Clair
Keewadhin Road Beach
1
1/week
51
6%
2
view
St Clair
Krafft Road Beach
1
1/week
54
11%
3
view
St Clair
Lakeport State Campground
1
1/week
51
6%
2
view
St Clair
Lakeport State Park
1
1/week
48
0%
3
view
St Clair
Lakeside Beach
1
1/week
69
17%
15
view
St Clair
Marine City Beach
1
1/week
48
2%
1
view
St Clair
Marine City Diving Area
1
1/week
47
0%
1
view
St Clair
Metcalf Road Beach
1
1/week
45
0%
3
view
St Clair
Washington Street Park
1
1/week
47
2%
3
view
Tuscola
Tuscola County Shoreline
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Van Buren
Covert Township Park Beach
1
1/week
36
6%
0
view
Van Buren
South Haven North Beach
1
1/week
36
3%
0
view
Van Buren
South Haven South Beach
1
1/week
36
3%
0
view
Van Buren
Van Buren State Park Beach
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Wayne
Belle Isle Beach
1
2/week
36
3%
0
view
Wayne
Crescent Sail Yacht Club
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
% of
Assigned
samples
Total
Monitoring
exceeding
Samples
Frequency
state
standards
Closing
or
View
Advisory
days
Wayne
Elizabeth Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Wayne
Pier Park
1
1/week
61
13%
3
view
Wayne
Southern Wayne County Border
3
none
0
0%
0
view
parentheses are for events lasting more than six consecutive weeks. Tiers labeled "n/a"
represent beaches that the state beach coordinator reports as not eligible for BEACH Act
funds.
State Summary: Minnesota
Key Findings in Minnesota
Minnesota 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary


Minnesota has 79 public beaches along about 58 miles of Lake Superior coastline. There are also a
number of Lake Superior beaches that belong to the Grand Portage Tribe, which was the first tribe in
the country to have a beachwater quality monitoring program. The Minnesota Lake Superior Beach
Monitoring Program is fully administered by the Minnesota Department of Health; the Grand Portage
Beach Monitoring Program is fully administered by the Grand Portage Tribe.
Minnesota?
Flooding Caused by Heavy Rains
Duluth and surrounding areas experienced unprecedented flash flooding after record-breaking rain
fell on June 19 and 20, 2012. Nearly 10 inches of rain fell in some areas; nothing comparable had
occurred since 1876. The governor declared a state of emergency as flooding forced the evacuation
of 250 residences, roads and bridges were washed out, and several zoo animals died. The flooding
also caused Duluth’s sewage system to fail and triggered a statewide health advisory and closure for
all Lake Superior beaches for two days. It caused an estimated$80 million in damage to Duluth’s
public infrastructure alone.
In 2012, Minnesota reported 92 coastal beaches, of which 7 (8%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of more than once a week and 46 (50%) once a week; 39 (42%) were not assigned a
monitoring frequency. In 2012, 12% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state’s
daily maximum bacterial standard of 235 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent
exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Park Point 20th Street/Hearding Island Canal
Beach (47%), Park Point Sky Harbor Parking Lot Beach (32%), and Park Point New Duluth Boat
Club/14th Street Beach (31%) in St. Louis County; Grand Portage Bay Monitoring Location 6 (29%)
and Grand Portage Bay Monitoring Location 2 (22%) in Cook County; Agate Bay Beach in Lake
County (21%); and 42nd Avenue East Beach in St. Louis County (20%). St. Louis County had the
highest exceedance of the state standard (16%) in 2012, followed by Cook (9%) and Lake (6%).
What Are Minnesota's Sampling Practices?
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) monitors beaches from the week before Memorial Day
to the end of September, with some beaches not monitored until June due to cold weather. The state
determines sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices at the
beaches monitored under the program. Water quality at beaches in the Grand Portage Reservation,
located on the north shore of Lake Superior near the Canadian border, is monitored in a program
separate from the state’s Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program.
MDH collects samples at a depth of 6 to 12 inches in water that is knee deep, while samples in
Grand Portage are collected in water that is 2.5 feet deep. Beaches monitored by the state program
are assigned high, medium, or low priority, depending on the potential for impacts from stormwater
runoff, bather loads, and waterfowl populations as well as proximity to concentrated animal feeding
operations and wastewater treatment discharges.
When an MDH beach is placed under advisory, monitoring occurs daily (Monday through Thursday)
until the site meets water quality standards. States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance
is found will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days
than they would if their sampling schedule did not increase after an exceedance was found.
The Park Point Southworth Marsh Beach is no longer monitored due to its increasing unsuitability for
water recreation.
Total advisory days for 57 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less more than tripled to 394 days
in 2012 from 121 days in 2011. The duration of advisories was shorter at the majority of beaches;
however the number of beaches with one or more advisories rose sharply from 2011. This change is
likely due in part to the flood event that occurred in June and affected the entire Minnesota Lake
Superior shoreline. For prior years, there were 61 days in 2010, 99 days in 2009, and 257 days in
2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those
in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in
effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 57 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less,
80% (314) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels,
and 20% (80) were preemptive due to heavy rainfall.
How Does Minnesota Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program does not issue beach closings; its policy is to issue
advisories only. The Grand Portage Tribe, however, does issue closings. Minnesota applies a singlesample maximum E. coli standard of 235 cfu/100ml and a geometric mean E. colistandard of 126
cfu/100ml for the most recent five samples collected during a 30-day period. When a sample
exceeds either the single-sample or the geometric mean bacteria standard, an advisory is issued.
Advisories are posted on the Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program website and are
available through a 24-hour hotline. Additionally, signs are posted on the beach and news releases
are sent to the media to alert the public to health advisories. There is no protocol for delaying or
forgoing an advisory when a sample exceeds standards. The Grand Portage Tribe applies the same
water quality standards as the state.
Because traditional processes for determining bacteria levels in beachwater take a day to complete,
beachgoers don’t know if the water they are swimming in meets quality standards until the following
day. Consequently, there is a great deal of interest in techniques that will allow for faster notification
of water quality issues. Among these is Virtual Beach, a software package that can be used to
develop beach-specific models for predicting fecal indicator bacteria levels in real time based on
easily measurable beach conditions such as wind, current, and waves. Previously collected data on
beach conditions and bacteria counts are fed into the software to create a model that predicts
beachwater quality based on the most important variables.
Minnesota is working to gather the inputs needed for Virtual Beach and to build a model for certain
beaches. The Grand Portage Tribe is planning on using predictive models at Grand Portage Bay
locations 1, 2, and 2.5. Minnesota has no preemptive rainfall standards but does post advisories
after known sewage overflows or other events that are considered likely to result in high bacteria
levels. In addition, the public is advised to wait 24 hours before going swimming after rainfall in
urban areas.
Minnesota 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Cook
Butterwort Cliffs Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Cascade State Park Campground
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Cascade State Park West Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Chicago Bay Boat Launch Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Cook
Coville Creek Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Croftville Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Cutface Creek Wayside Rest
Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Cook
Durfee Creek Area Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Cook
Grand Marais Campground
Beach
2
1/week
16
6%
1
view
Cook
Grand Marais Downtown Beach
2
1/week
18
17%
3
view
Cook
Grand Portage Bay Monitoring
Location 1
1
1/week
41
15%
0
view
Cook
Location 1.5
1
1/week
0
0%
19
view
Cook
Location 2
1
1/week
41
22%
0
view
Cook
1
1/week
41
12%
13
view
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Location 2.5
Cook
Location 3
1
1/week
17
12%
0
view
Cook
Location 4
1
1/week
17
18%
0
view
Cook
Location 5
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
Cook
Location 6
1
1/week
17
28%
0
view
Cook
Location 7
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
Cook
Location 8
1
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Cook
Hollow Rock Resort Beach
1
1/week
17
12%
0
view
Cook
Horseshoe Bay Boat Launch
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
East Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
West Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Kadunce Creek Beach
2
1/week
18
6%
2
view
Cook
Old Shore Road Beach Area
2
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Cook
Paradise Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Cook
Ray Berglund Wayside Rest
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Red Cliff Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cook
Red Rock Beach
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cook
Reservation River beach
1
1/week
16
13%
14
view
Cook
Schroeder Town Park Beach
2
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Cook
Sugarloaf Cove Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Cook
Temperance River State Park
Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Cook
Temperance River State Park
East Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Agate Bay Beach
2
1/week
19
21%
13
view
Lake
Blueberry Hill Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Burlington Bay Beach
2
1/week
16
13%
10
view
Lake
Flood Bay Beach
2
1/week
26
0%
0
view
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Lake
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Lake
Knife River Marina Beach
2
1/week
14
7%
8
view
Lake
Manitou River Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Palisade Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Silver Bay Marina Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Lake
Silver Cliff Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Silver Creek Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
/ Corundum Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
/ Crazy Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
/ Gold Rock Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
/ Split Rock Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Lake
Split Rock River Beach
2
1/week
14
7%
8
view
Lake
Stewart River Beach
2
1/week
14
7%
8
view
Lake
Tettegouche State Park / Baptism
River Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Tettegouche State Park / Crystal
Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lake
Tettegouche State Park Beach
2
1/week
13
0%
0
view
Lake
Twin Points Public Access Beach
2
1/week
15
7%
8
view
Lake
Two Harbors City Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
42nd Avenue East Beach
2
1/week
15
20%
3
view
St
Louis
Bayfront Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Blatnik Fishing Pier Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Bluebird Landing Beach
2
1/week
13
8%
8
view
St
Louis
Boy Scout Landing Beach
2
1/week
12
8%
8
view
St
Louis
Brighton Beach
1
2/week
54
6%
2
view
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
St
Louis
Clyde Avenue Boat Landing
Beach
2
1/week
14
7%
10
view
St
Louis
French River Beach
2
1/week
12
8%
8
view
St
Louis
Glensheen Cemetary Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Indian Point Campground Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Lakewalk Beach
1
2/week
35
9%
8
view
St
Louis
Lakewalk East / 16th Avenue
East Beach
2
1/week
14
7%
1
view
St
Louis
Lakewalk East / 26th Avenue
East Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Lakewood Pump Station Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Leif Erikson Park Beach
2
1/week
17
18%
4
view
St
Louis
Lester River Beach
2
1/week
13
8%
8
view
St
Louis
McQuade Road Safe Harbor
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Minnesota Point Harbor Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Morgan Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
North Shore Drive Wayside Rest /
72nd Avenue East Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
North Shore Drive Wayside Rest /
Cant Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Park Point 20th Street / Hearding
Island Canal Beach
1
2/week
64
47%
100
view
St
Louis
Park Point Beach House
1
2/week
36
8%
7
view
St
Louis
Park Point Franklin Park / 13th
Street South Beach
1
2/week
70
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Park Point Lafayette Community
Club Beach
1
2/week
33
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Park Point New Duluth Boat Club
/ 14th Street Beach
1
2/week
59
31%
69
view
St
Louis
Park Point Sky Harbor Parking
Lot Beach
1
1/week
47
32%
51
view
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
St
Louis
Park Point Southworth Marsh
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Smithville Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Stony Point Beach
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Stony Point Wayside Rest Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Waterfront Trail / Interlake Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Waterfront Trail / Radio Towers
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
St
Louis
Waterfront Trail / Riverside Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: Mississippi
Mississippi 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

347 (55%) unspecified sources associated with Hurricane Isaac




48 (7%) other, unspecified contamination sources
Mississippi has 22 beaches stretching along 43 miles of Gulf of Mexico waters. The Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) conducts the state's beachwater quality monitoring
program in conjunction with the State Beach Monitoring Task Force.
Mississippi Water Quality Challenges
Lingering Impacts of BP Oil Disaster
Mississippi's beaches were affected by the BP oil disaster, which began on April 20, 2010, with the
explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Oil flowed from the damaged well for nearly three months
until it was capped on July 15. Three years after the disaster, Mississippi beaches are open to the
public, but the MDEQ cautions beachgoers that tar balls or tar mats might continue to appear on
beaches. The public is advised to use common sense and take precautions if tar balls are present—
including avoiding contact with them on the beach and refraining from swimming if tar balls are seen
in the water.
Extreme Weather
In 2012, the Mississippi Gulf Coast had extremely volatile weather, which affected water quality.
Overall it was an uncommonly wet year. Additionally, strong winds out of the south-southeast stirred
up the bottom of the water off the coast, which resuspended sediments, caused bacteria counts to
exceed the state standard, and triggered advisories. In the fall, all Mississippi beaches were closed
for 1 to 2 months following Hurricane Isaac until debris removal was completed and counties had
finished repairs and restoration work on beaches.
In 2012, Mississippi reported 22 coastal beaches, all of which were assigned a monitoring frequency
of once a week. In 2012, 8% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily
exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Bay St. Louis Beach in Hancock County (22%),
and Courthouse Road Beach (18%), Pass Christian West Beach (14%), Gulfport West Beach (13%),
Gulfport Central Beach (11%), Gulfport East Beach (11%), and Pass Christian East Beach (11%), all
in Harrison County.
Harrison County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (9%),
followed by Hancock County (8%) and Jackson County (5%). NRDC considers all reported samples
In 2012, Mississippi reported 22 coastal beaches, all of which were assigned a monitoring frequency
of once a week. In 2012, 8% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily
exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Bay St. Louis Beach in Hancock County (22%),
and Courthouse Road Beach (18%), Pass Christian West Beach (14%), Gulfport West Beach (13%),
Gulfport Central Beach (11%), Gulfport East Beach (11%), and Pass Christian East Beach (11%), all
in Harrison County.
Harrison County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (9%),
followed by Hancock County (8%) and Jackson County (5%). NRDC considers all reported samples
What Are Mississippi's Sampling Practices?
Mississippi's beaches are monitored weekly, year-round. The MDEQ determines sampling practices,
locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices throughout the state. Samples are
taken in the middle of the water column at wading depth (approximately 0.5 meter).
Once a beach is placed under an advisory, the monitoring frequency is increased until two
consecutive samples meet standards; the beach is then reopened. States that monitor more
frequently after an exceedance is found will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower
total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling schedule did not increase after an
Total closing/advisory days for 42 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less increased sevenfold
to 648 days in 2012 from 91 days in 2011. This dramatic increase was due in large part to Hurricane
Issac, which caused some Mississippi beaches to close for 1 to 2 months for debris removal and
repairs.
For prior years, there were 88 closing/advisory days in 2010, 331 days in 2009, and 187 days in
2008. In addition, there were 3 extended events (187 days total) and 1 permanent event (128 days)
in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive
weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 42 events
lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 98% (634) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring
that revealed elevated bacteria levels, and 2% (14) were preemptive to due known sewage spills or
leaks.
How Does Mississippi Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
In Mississippi, notifications issued because of bacterial exceedances or anticipated bacterial
exceedances caused by rainfall are called advisories; all other notifications are generally called
closings. A closure is issued for a section of a beach when there is a known source of pollution that
poses a risk to human health, for example, if a sewage line breaks and causes bacteria levels to
exceed state standards. The signage at the beach is different for advisories and closures.
To issue contamination advisories and closures, Mississippi applies an enterococcus statistical
threshold value of 104 cfu/100 ml. No geometric mean standard is applied when determining
whether a beachwater sample exceeds bacterial standards.When a sample indicates an
exceedance, a resample is required. When two consecutive samples indicate exceedances,
Mississippi issues an advisory. After a beach is under advisory or a closure, it is not reopened until
two consecutive samples meet standards. Advisories are posted on the MDEQ website,Facebook,
and Twitter. Additionally, press releases are sent to the media when an advisory is issued.
In addition to bacteria samples, MDEQ collects monthly nutrient and chlorophyll data. This additional
information is not used to inform decisions about beach advisories or closings, but it is used along
with the bacteria data to assess the quality of waters along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Mississippi has a standing preemptive rainfall advisory that warns against swimming at beaches for
24 hours following significant rainfall (characterized by noticeable runoff). Bathers are particularly
advised to avoid swimming near storm drains, which are present at nearly all of Mississippi's Gulf
Coast beaches. This type of standing advisory is not included in the closing and advisory data
reported to the EPA and is not included in this report. Beaches are preemptively closed if there is a
known sewage spill or when events such as hurricanes or beach recovery projects make conditions
unsafe for swimming. These types of advisories are reported to the EPA and included in NRDC data.
Mississippi 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Hancock
Bay St. Louis Beach
1
1/week
36
22%
60 (128)
view
Hancock
Buccaneer State Park
Beach
2
1/week
47
0%
42
view
Hancock
Lakeshore
1
1/week
43
5%
42 (77)
view
Hancock
Waveland Beach
2
1/week
48
8%
47
view
Harrison
Biloxi East Beach
1
1/week
53
4%
21
view
1
1/week
52
6%
21
view
Harrison Biloxi Porter Ave Beach
Harrison
Biloxi West Central
Beach
1
1/week
54
2%
29
view
Harrison
Courthouse Road
Beach
1
1/week
66
18%
0
view
Harrison
Edgewater Beach
1
1/week
60
7%
23
view
Harrison
Gulfport Central Beach
1
1/week
53
11%
42
view
Harrison
Gulfport East Beach
1
1/week
56
11%
42
view
Harrison
Gulfport Harbor Beach
1
1/week
47
2%
34
view
Harrison
Gulfport West Beach
1
1/week
53
13%
29
view
Harrison
Long Beach
1
1/week
49
10%
47
view
Harrison
Pass Christian Central
Beach
2
1/week
47
9%
6 (60)
view
Harrison
Pass Christian East
Beach
1
1/week
47
11%
46
view
Harrison
Pass Christian West
Beach
2
1/week
50
14%
6 (50)
view
Jackson
Front Beach
1
1/week
58
10%
24
view
1
1/week
50
0%
21
view
Jackson Pascagoula Beach East
Jackson
Pascagoula Beach
West
1
1/week
50
0%
21
view
Jackson
Shearwater Beach
1
1/week
57
9%
24
view
Jackson
St. Andrews Beach
2
1/week
52
4%
21
view
State Summary: New Hampshire
Ranked 2nd in Beachwater Quality (out of 30 states)
New Hampshire 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

New Hampshire has 17 public coastal and estuarine beaches along 18 miles of Atlantic coastline.
The state's beachwater quality monitoring program is administered by the New Hampshire
Department of Environmental Services (DES).
New Hampshire Water Quality Challenges and Improvements
In 2011, the DES created Water Quality Management Plans for the Little River watershed (which
affects water quality at North Hampton State Beach) and the Parson's Creek watershed (which
affects water quality at Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Road). In 2012, New Hampshire awarded the
towns of North Hampton and Rye funding to implement further work on these Water Quality
Management Plans. A variety of projects have been suggested to improve the water quality of both
watersheds.
Both North Hampton and Rye will develop a comprehensive education and outreach strategy to
ensure that community members understand proper maintenance of their septic systems and the
effects of malfunctioning systems on water quality. North Hampton and Rye will also institute an Illicit
Discharge Detection and Elimination program that will identify malfunctioning septic systems, create
enforcement protocols for identified malfunctioning systems, create universal record-keeping
methods, strengthen municipal ordinances to better protect surface waters from bacterial pollution,
develop programs to finance septic system upgrades or replacements, and evaluate alternatives to
individual septic systems. Both towns will also create programs to reduce the amount of bacteria in
developed-area runoff and the impacts of stormwater pipes on surface waters. Additionally, North
Hampton will develop wildlife repellent and habitat-restriction programs to reduce wildlife
contributions to the beach bacteria load.
In 2012, New Hampshire reported 17 coastal beaches, all of them in Rockingham County. Of these,
8 (47%) were assigned a monitoring frequency of more than once a week, 6 (35%) were monitored
once a week, 2 (12%) were monitored every other week, and 1 (6%) was not monitored. In 2012, 1%
of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of
104 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the state standard
in 2012 were Seabrook Harbor Beach (5%), Jenness Beach State Park (5%), State Beach (3%),
Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Road (1%), and New Castle Town Beach (1%).
What Are New Hampshire's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season in New Hampshire runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The DES
determines sampling and notification practices, locations, standards, and protocols at all of its public
coastal beaches. Samples are taken in knee-deep water. Sampling frequencies are based on
beachwater quality history, the presence of suspected sources of microbial pathogens, and degree
of beach use. The number of samples collected at each beach is determined by beach length, with
two samples taken at beaches less than 100 feet in length and more samples taken at longer
beaches.
When an elevated bacteria result is found, a follow-up sample is taken within 24 hours. Beach
advisories remain in effect until subsequent beach sampling reflects results below the state
standard. Samples may also be collected at known and suspected discharge sources at New
Hampshire's beaches, and extra wet-weather sampling may be conducted at beaches when
stormwater runoff has the potential to impact water quality. States that monitor more frequently after
an exceedance is found or after rainfall events will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates
and lower total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not increase
after an exceedance was found.
How Many Beach Advisories Were Issued in 2012?2
days in 2012 from 9 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 16 days in 2010, 12 days in 2009, and
are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 3 events lasting six consecutive weeks or
less, 100% (6) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria
levels.
Advisories were issued for Seabrook Harbor, New Castle, and Jenness State Park beaches, each
lasting just two days.
How Does New Hampshire Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
When tests reveal bacteria levels that violate health standards, DES issues advisories through
its website and Twitter feed and by posting signs at the beach. State policy is to issue advisories and
not closings at beaches, but towns can close beaches within their jurisdiction. New Hampshire
applies an enterococcus single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml. If two or more samples
collected at a beach exceed the standard or if one sample exceeds 174 cfu/100 ml, a beach
advisory is issued. The advisory remains in place until a resample shows that the level is below the
state threshold. The state standard for the geometric mean of at least three samples collected over a
60-day period is 35 cfu/100 ml, but the geometric mean standard is not used to issue beach
advisories.
Additionally, a preemptive advisory is issued if a public beach area is threatened by a suspected
sewage spill or leak. Members of the public are encouraged to report if they fall ill after visiting one of
New Hampshire's public beaches, and illness complaints can potentially initiate further investigation
of beachwater quality.
New Hampshire 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory
Days
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Rockingham
Bass Beach
1
1/week
46
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Foss Beach
2
1/week
46
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Hampton Beach SP
1
2/week
147
0%
0
view
Rockingham Hampton Harbor Beach
3
2/month
15
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Jenness Beach At Cable
Road
1
2/week
72
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Jenness Beach SP
1
2/week
88
5%
2
view
Rockingham
New Castle TB
1
2/week
87
1%
2
view
Rockingham
North Beach
2
1/week
72
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Northside Park
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Sawyer Beach
1
2/week
72
0%
0
view
Rockingham Seabrook Harbor Beach
1
1/week
39
5%
2
view
Rockingham
Seabrook TB
1
2/week
75
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Star Island Beach, Rye
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Rockingham
State Beach, North
Hampton
1
2/week
78
3%
0
view
Rockingham
Sun Valley Beach
2
1/week
24
0%
0
view
Rockingham
Wallis Sands Beach At
Wallis Road
1
2/week
82
1%
0
view
Rockingham
Wallis Sands SP
2
1/week
45
0%
0
view
State Summary: New Jersey
Key Findings in New Jersey
New Jersey 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary




New Jersey has 655 public coastal beaches lining 127 miles of Atlantic waters. Coastal water quality
monitoring is conducted through the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP), which is
administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
What Are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in New
Jersey?
Hurricane Sandy
U.S. history. New Jersey's coastline was severely damaged by the hurricane: Dunes were
destroyed, homes were washed away, and infrastructure was damaged. Floods overwhelmed
sewage treatment plants and flushed 10 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into New
York and New Jersey waterways. In May 2013, the EPA announced it would provide New Jersey
with $229 million in grant funds for repairs and sewage treatment improvements. This grant will help
defray the estimated $2.7 billion it will take to repair the damage to sewage treatment plants caused
by Sandy.
Towns along the New Jersey coast continue to rebuild beaches, dunes, and coastal infrastructure.
Preseason water quality sampling did not detect exceedances of the state's swimming and
shellfishing standards.
Cleaning Up Beachwater in Monmouth and Ocean Counties
The NJDEP is working with local stakeholders to address elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria
that are discharged to the ocean from Wreck Pond's outfall following rainstorms. Source tracking
efforts at Wreck Pond, a tidal pond in Monmouth County, have shown that sources of pollution
include stormwater runoff and failing sewage infrastructure in the community surrounding the pond.
The towns of Spring Lake and Sea Girt have committed to conducting infrastructure assessments of
their entire sanitary and storm sewer systems within the watershed, which includes videoing and
GIS/GPSing of these systems. This assessment will be completed in 2013. The Bureau of Marine
Water Monitoring is conducting a 48-hour monitoring plan to capture data for an entire storm event; it
is also sampling water quality at the four bathing beaches surrounding the outfall after every rain
event during the 2013 beach season. NJDEP recently launched a website that aggregates all
research, reports, and analytical data for the watershed and includes an interactive map displaying
all analytical data.
In 2012, wet-weather monitoring continued at 10 Ocean County river beaches to determine the
effect of rain at those beaches. Dye studies were also conducted to gather additional data.
Additionally, the NJDEP partnered with the Ocean County Department of Engineering to map
existing sanitary and stormwater infrastructure and outfall locations. In 2012, the NJDEP's Bureau of
Marine Water Monitoring investigated a complaint in South Toms River, near Beachwood Beach,
and found a community of live-aboard vessels in an upstream marina that were without sanitary
connection. The NJDEP, South Toms River Township, and the Ocean County Health Department
worked together to relocate the residents and clean up the facility, which included a boat scrapyard.
Identifying the Source of Pollution at Beaches in Beachwood
More than 25% of the water quality samples at Beachwood Beach have exceeded the standard for
designated beaches each year since the 2005 swim season, when NRDC began tracking water
quality monitoring data. In 2012, the borough of Beachwood began a project working with the Ocean
County Health Department and Ocean County Planning Department to track down sources of
bacterial pollution. The effort includes sampling water quality at stormwater outfalls, improving
mapping of the area’s drainage system, and studying the movement of pollution along the shoreline
in various weather conditions. While this study is ongoing, Beachwood has also enhanced its
beachwater quality sampling by taking additional samples after rain events and has instituted a
policy of closing the beach for 24 hours after any rainfall of more than 0.25 inch over a 12-hour
period. The borough and the county intend to use the results of the study to reduce identified
pollution sources.
Demonstrating the Rapid Test Method at Bay Beaches
Current approved methods for determining fecal indicator bacteria counts in beachwater depend on
growth of cultures in samples and take at least 24 hours to complete. Because of this, swimmers do
not know until the next day if the water they swam in was contaminated. Consequently, there is a
great deal of interest in technologies that can provide same-day beachwater quality results, and the
EPA and NJDEP have been field-testing one of them, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction
(qPCR) rapid test method, since 2007. This rapid method identifies genetic sequences in order to
enumerate bacteria.
In 2012, EPA and NJDEP finalized and published results of a rapid beach advisory demonstration
project that was conducted at four bay beaches in Ocean County (Windward Beach in Brick
Township, Avon Road in Pine Beach Borough, Beachwood Beach in Beachwood Borough, and
Anglesea in Ocean Gate Borough). Samples were collected and analyzed using qPCR, and
swimming advisories were issued on the basis of the qPCR results. These results were compared
with the standard membrane filtration results when they became available the following day. Test
results show that the traditional culture method and the rapid test are in agreement 82% of the time.
Although the qPCR method can be more labor intensive than conventional monitoring techniques, it
assesses beachwater quality much more quickly.1
Reducing Trash Wash-Ups on New Jersey's Beaches
Sewer systems in and around the New York/New Jersey Harbor are designed so that excess flows
are discharged to harbor waters during periods of wet weather. These excess flows often contain
floating debris made up of litter and toilet waste such as hygiene products. When discharged to the
New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex, the floating debris collects in slicks that can exit the harbor
and wash up on beaches. The multiagency Floatables Action Plan, which has been in place since
1989, involves several means of controlling floating debris, such as helicopter surveillance to locate
slicks, skimmer vessels fitted with nets that collect debris, floating booms that trap debris near sewer
system discharge points for later collection, and sewer system improvements intended to maximize
the ability to retain floating debris. These methods have prevented tons of floating debris from
reaching the harbor and New Jersey beaches. In addition, the NJDEP's Clean Shores Program, in
which state inmates collect floatable debris from the shorelines of the Hudson, Raritan, and
Delaware estuaries and barrier island bays, removes thousands of tons of trash and debris from
New Jersey shorelines each year.
In 2012, New Jersey reported 455 coastal beaches. Of these, 222 (49%) were assigned a
monitoring frequency of once a week; 129 (28%) were classified as "bracket" beaches that are
monitored as needed (these are adjacent to regularly monitored beaches; if high bacteria
concentrations are found at a regularly monitored station, sampling is conducted at bracket stations
to determine the extent of the affected area); and 104 (23%) were not assigned a monitoring
frequency. In 2012, 4% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily
exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Beachwood Beach (Beachwood) (35%), Avon
Road in Pine Beach (Pine Beach) (29%), East Beachwood Beach West (Beachwood Boro) (Bracket
Beach) (27%), West Beachwood Beach West (Beachwood Boro) (Bracket Beach) (27%), and
Windward Beach (Brick) (25%), all in Ocean County. Ocean County had the highest exceedance
rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (7%), followed by Atlantic (3%), Monmouth (3%), and
and Cape May (2%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when
What Are New Jersey's Sampling Practices?
The sampling season runs from mid-May to mid-September. In addition to regular beachwater
monitoring for bacteria concentrations, the NJDEP conducts aerial surveillance of nearshore coastal
waters six days a week during the summer and routinely inspects the 17 wastewater treatment
facilities that discharge to the ocean.
The NJDEP determines sampling practices, standards, and notification protocols and practices at
coastal beaches throughout the state. Samples are taken 12 to 18 inches below the surface in water
that is between knee and chest deep. Locations for monitoring stations are selected by local or
county health departments and are chosen on the basis of proximity to a potential pollution source. If
there is no pollution source nearby, ocean sampling locations are chosen to represent water quality
at several nearby beaches. Every recreational bay beach is sampled.
Once an exceedance of bacterial standards is found, daily monitoring is conducted until the
beachwater meets standards. States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found will
tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they would
if their sampling frequency did not increase after an exceedance was found.
In addition to fecal coliform and enterococcus, New Jersey monitors for floatable debris and
chlorophyll levels that may indicate algal blooms, and samples phytoplankton to determine algae
concentrations. Algae samples are collected when remote sensing data indicate an increase in
chlorophyll levels in a specific area. If a harmful algal bloom is identified, county and local health
officials are notified, closing information is posted on the NJDEP web page and phone line, and local
beach managers close beaches as necessary.
2009, and 209 days in 2008 (120 of which were caused by a criminal dumping event). The dramatic
increase is likely due to two factors. First, in June 2012, the Long Beach Island health officer closed
103 beaches on the island due to a wash-up of floatable debris. All beaches were closed for one day
to clear debris and protect public health. Additionally, the Ocean County Health Department began
issuing advisories for the first time, which increased the total number of advisories in New Jersey
from previous years.
There were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more
than six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more
than 13 consecutive weeks. For the 245 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 31% (76) of
closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, 41% (101) were
preemptive due to other reasons, 25% (61) were preemptive due to heavy rainfall, and 3% (7) were
preemptive to due known sewage spills or leaks.
Only those beach closings ordered by local health officials are included here because these are the
only closings that are recorded by CCMP. Data are not available for closings issued because of
conditions not directly related to contamination, such as rough seas, beach maintenance projects,
shark sightings, and fish and clam wash-ups.
How Does New Jersey Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
New Jersey issues closings when bacteria levels exceed standards. New Jersey's standard for
marine beachwater quality is a single-sample maximum for enterococcus of 104 cfu/100 ml. A
geometric mean standard is not applied when making beach closing decisions.
If bacteria levels exceed the single-sample standard, the beach is resampled immediately. If the
second sample exceeds the standard, the beach is closed. Resampling is conducted in conjunction
with a sanitary survey of the beach. County and local health departments may, at their discretion,
issue swimming advisories after one exceedance of the bathing standard. In 2011, Monmouth
County was the only county to issue swimming advisories when routine monitoring revealed that
standards were exceeded. In 2012, advisories were issued in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties
when bacteria levels were found to exceed the single-sample standard. These advisories convert to
closings if resampling confirms the exceedance.
If high bacteria concentrations are found at an ocean or bay station, sampling is conducted linearly
along the beach to determine the extent of the affected area. This "bracket sampling" can result in an
extension of a beach closing to contiguous lifeguarded beaches.
Four Monmouth County ocean beaches around the Wreck Pond outfall (Brown South and York
Avenue beaches in Spring Lake and The Terrace and Beacon Boulevard beaches in Sea Girt) are
automatically closed for 24 hours after the end of all rainfall events that exceed 0.1 inch or cause an
increased flow in storm drains, and are closed for 48 hours from the end of all rainfalls greater than
2.8 inches within a 24-hour period. Lifeguards prohibit swimming near any parts of these beaches
where the stormwater plume is observed to be mixing with water within the swimming area, and
lifeguards can close a beach at any time if a plume is observed. Two bay beaches in Monmouth
County also have preemptive rainfall standards: L Street Bay Beach in Belmar (more than 0.1 inch in
24 hours) and the Shark River Beach and Yacht Club (more than 1 inch in 24 hours).
Beaches in New Jersey are closed if there is a known sewage spill that is suspected of
contaminating beachwater. Health and enforcement agencies in New Jersey can close a beach to
protect public health at any time.
New Jersey 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days4
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Atlantic
10th St. South (Brigantine)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
11th St North (Brigatine)
1
1/week
3
0%
0
view
Atlantic
11th St. (Longport)
1
1/week
3
0%
0
view
Atlantic
12th St North (Brigantine City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
-
Atlantic
13th Ave (Longport Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
-
Atlantic
15th St South (Brigantine)
1
1/week
3
0%
0
view
Atlantic
16th St South (Brigantine City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
-
Atlantic
19th St. (Longport)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
26th St (Brigantine)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
26th St. (Longport)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
26th St. South (Brigantine)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
33rd St. (Longport)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
33rd St. South (Brigantine)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
43rd St. South (Brigantine)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
4th St. North (Brigantine)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Annapolis (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Arkansas (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Atlantic
Austin Ave (Ventnor City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
-
Atlantic
Bartram (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Bay Ave (Somers Point City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Atlantic
Bramble Drive (Brigantine City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Brant (Brigatine)
1
1/week
3
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Caspian (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Chelsea (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Atlantic
Clermont Ave (Margate City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
-
Atlantic
Dorset (Ventnor)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Georgia (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Gladstone Ave (Margate City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
14
0%
0
-
Atlantic
Granville (Margate)
1
1/week
3
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Higbee Ave (Somers Point City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Atlantic
Illinois (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Atlantic
Iowa (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Atlantic
Jackson (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Kentucky (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Lincoln (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Michigan (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
19
16%
0
view
Atlantic
Missouri (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Atlantic
New Hampshire (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
Atlantic
New Haven (Ventnor)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Atlantic
New Jersey Ave. (Somers Point)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Atlantic
North Carolina (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Oakland (Ventnor)
1
1/week
3
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Ohio Ave (Atlantic City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Atlantic
Osborne (Margate)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Pennsylvania (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Providence (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Atlantic
Sandy Ln (Brigantine City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
15
7%
0
-
Atlantic
Seaside (Brigantine)
1
1/week
4
0%
0
view
Atlantic
South Beach (Brigantine)
1
1/week
4
0%
0
view
Atlantic
South Carolina (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
St. James (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
16
6%
0
view
Atlantic
States (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Atlantic
Texas (Atlantic City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Atlantic
Washington (Margate)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Atlantic
Washington (Ventnor)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Cape May
103rd (Stone Harbor )
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
108th (Stone Harbor)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
10th & JFK (North Wildwood)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
10th St (Ocean City)
1
none
3
33%
1
-
Cape May
119th (Stone Harbor)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
11th Ave (North Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
14th St (Avalon Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
15th (Avalon)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
15th St (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
16th (Ocean City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
16th St (Avalon Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
18th (North Wildwood)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Cape May
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
1st Street (Ocean City)
1
none
1
0%
2
-
Cape May
21st St (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
23rd Ave (North Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
23rd St (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
24th (North Wildwood)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
24th (Ocean City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
28th (Ocean City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Cape May
29th (Sea Isle City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
2nd & JFK (North Wildwood)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
2nd (Cape May City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
30th (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
34th St (Ocean City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
34th St (Sea Isle City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
3rd Ave (North Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
3rd St (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
40th St (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
40th St (Sea Isle City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
48th (Ocean City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
48th St (Sea Isle City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
50th (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
50th St (Sea Isle City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
55th (Ocean City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
57th (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
65th (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
76th (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
83rd St (Stone Harbor)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
8th St (Ocean City)
1
none
2
50%
2
-
Cape May
90th (Stone Harbor)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Cape May 90th (Yacht Club) (Stone Harbor)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
96th (Stone Harbor)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
9th (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
9th St (Ocean City)
1
1/week
19
11%
2
view
Cape May
Atlantic (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Baker Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
Beesley's Point (Upper Twp)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Bennett (Wildwood)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Brainard (Cape May Point)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Broadway (Cape May City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Burk Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Cedar Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
Congress (Cape May City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Corinthian YC (Cape May City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Davis Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Delancey (Ocean City)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Cape May
Forgetmenot (Wildwood Crest)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Garden (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
Glenwood Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Cape May
Grant (Cape May City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Hildreth Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Hollywood (Wildwood Crest)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Jefferson (Wildwood Crest)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Jefferson St (Cape May City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Lavendar (Wildwood Crest)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Leaming Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Cape May
Lincoln Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
Madison Ave (Cape May City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Maple (Wildwood)
1
1/week
21
5%
0
view
Cape May
Miami (Wildwood Crest)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Montgomery (Wildwood)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Cape May
Moorlyn Ter (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Morningside Rd (Ocean City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
North (Ocean City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Ocean (Cape May Point)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Ocean Ave. (Cape May City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Ocean City Yacht Club (Ocean
City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Orchid (Wildwood Crest)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Park (Ocean City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Perry St (Cape May City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Philadelphia (Cape May City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Pine Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
4
25%
0
-
Cape May
Pinnacle (Ocean City) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Poverty (Cape May City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Queen North (Cape May City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Reading Ave (Cape May City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Cape May Richmond Ave (Lower Township)
Cape May
Saint James Pl (Ocean City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Schellenger (Wildwood)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Cape May
Seabright Rd (Ocean City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
SIC Yacht Club (Sea Isle City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
St. Charles (Ocean City)
1
none
1
0%
1
-
Cape May
Stenton Pl (Ocean City)
1
none
2
0%
1
-
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Cape May
Surf (Ocean City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Cape May
Washington Ave (Wildwood Crest
Boro) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Cape May
Webster (Upper Twp)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Whildin (Cape May Point)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
Wildwood Ave (Wildwood City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Cape May
Williard (Upper Twp)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Cape May
WW Crest Yacht Club (Wildwood
Crest)
1
no data
0
0%
0
view
Cape May
WW Gables Yacht Club
(Wildwood Crest)
1
no data
0
0%
0
view
Cape May
Yacht Club (Avalon)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Inlet Surfing Beach, Riverside Dr.
(Manasquan)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
L Jetty, Washington Ave (Avonby-the-Sea Boro)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Monmouth
12th (Belmar)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
19th Ave (Belmar Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
1st Avenue (Asbury Park)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Monmouth
20th Avenue (Belmar)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Monmouth
2nd Ave (Asbury Park City)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
2nd Ave (Bradley Beach Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
3rd (Asbury Park)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
7th (Asbury Park )
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
7th Avenue (Belmar)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Area C - Surf Beach (Sandy
Hook)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Area E - Visitor Center (Sandy
Hook)
1
no data
0
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Army Rec. Beach (Sandy Hook)
1
no data
0
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Asbury Ave South (Asbury Park
City) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Baltimore (Sea Girt)
1
1/week
19
11%
1
view
Monmouth
Beacon (Sea Girt)
1
1/week
17
0%
15
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Monmouth
Brielle Rd (Manasquan Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Broadway (Ocean Grove)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Monmouth
Broadway South (Neptune Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Brown South (Spring Lake)
1
1/week
17
0%
14
view
Monmouth
Cedar (Allenhurst)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Clinton Pl (Neptune Twp) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
4
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Deal Casino (Deal)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
East Main (Manasquan)
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Monmouth
East Main North (Manasquan
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Elberon Bch Clb North (Long
Branch City) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Elberon Bch Clb South (Long
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Elberon Beach Club (Long
Branch)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Monmouth
Essex (Spring Lake)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth Evergreen South (Bradley Beach)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Monmouth
Evergreen South South (Avon-ByThe-Sea Boro) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Fort Hancock (Sandy Hook)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Garfield Ave (Avon-By-The-Sea
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Heck Ave (Neptune Twp) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Highlands Rec Center East
(Highlands Boro) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Highlands Rec Center West
(Highlands Boro) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Ideal Beach (Middletown)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Monmouth
Ideal East (Middletown Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Ideal West (Middletown Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Imperial House (Long Branch
City)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Monmouth
Joline (Long Branch)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
L Street Beach (Belmar)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Laird (Long Branch)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Lake Takanassee South (Long
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Lorraine Ave (Spring Lake Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Ludlow Ave (Spring Lake Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Main (Ocean Grove)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Monmouth
McCabe Ave (Bradley Beach
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Miller Beach (Highlands)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Monmouth Beach Club
(Monmouth Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Neptune (Sea Girt)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
New York (Sea Girt)
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Monmouth
North Bath (Long Branch)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Monmouth
North Bath North (Long Branch
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
North Bath South (Long Branch
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
North Blvd (Belmar Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth Ocean Beach Club (Long Branch)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Ocean Park (Bradley Beach)
1
1/week
19
11%
1
view
Monmouth
Park Place Ave (Bradley Beach
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Philadelphia (Sea Girt Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Pitman Ave (Neptune Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Public Beach (Sea Bright)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Rec Center (Highlands)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Monmouth
Roosevelt Ave (Avon-By-The-Sea
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Seven President's Park
(Monmouth Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
County
Beach
Monmouth
Shark River Beach & Yacht Club
(Neptune Twp)
1
1/week
21
14%
7
view
Monmouth
Shark Rvr Bch & Yacht South
(Neptune Twp) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
4
25%
0
-
Monmouth
South Bath (Long Branch City)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Monmouth
South Bath North (Long Branch
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
view
Monmouth
South Bath South (Long Branch
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
view
Monmouth
South Sternberger Ave (Long
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Spray Ave. (Neptune Twp)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Sylvania (Avon)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Monmouth
The Terrace (Sea Girt)
1
1/week
17
0%
15
view
Monmouth
Thompson (Leonardo)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Union (Spring Lake)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Village Beach Club (Loch Arbour
Village)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Washington (Spring Lake)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Monmouth
Webb Ave (Neptune Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Woodland Ave (Avon-By-The-Sea
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Monmouth
Worthington (Spring Lake)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Monmouth
York Avenue (Spring Lake)
1
1/week
17
0%
15
view
Ocean
14th (Ship Bottom), bay
1
1/week
20
15%
0
view
Ocean
14th (Ship Bottom), ocean
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
75th (Harvey Cedars), bay
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
75th (Harvey Cedars), ocean
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Ocean
Brooklyn Ave (Lavallette), bay
1
1/week
17
6%
1
view
Ocean
Brooklyn Ave (Lavallette), ocean
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
New Jersey Avenue (Beach
Haven Terrace), Long Beach
Twp, bay
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Ocean
New Jersey Avenue (Beach
Haven Terrace), Long Beach
Twp, ocean
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Ocean
1005 LB Blvd (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
10th (Barnegat Light)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
110th St (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
11th St (Ship Bottom Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
12th (Seaside Park)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
12th St (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
13th St (Surf City Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
14th St North (Ship Bottom Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Ocean
14th St South (Ship Bottom Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Ocean
14th St. in Beach Haven (Long
Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
15th St (Barnegat Light Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
16th (Surf City)
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Ocean
16th St North (Surf City Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
16th St South (Surf City Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
21st St (Barnegat Light Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
21st St (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
21st St (Surf City Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
22nd St (Barnegat Light Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
23rd (South Seaside)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
23rd (Surf City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ocean
23rd St (Ship Bottom Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
25th South (Barnegat Light Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Ocean
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Ocean
25th St (Barnegat Light Boro ocean)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
25th St North (Barnegat Light
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
2nd St (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
32nd St (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
33rd St (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
4th (Dover)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
52nd St (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
5th (Seaside Park)
1
1/week
19
16%
3
view
Ocean
5th Ave North (Seaside Park
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Ocean
5th Ave South (Seaside Park
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Ocean
5th St (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ocean
69th (Harvey Cedars Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
73rd St (Harvey Cedars Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
77th St (Harvey Cedars Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
7th (Brick)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
83rd St (Harvey Cedars Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Anglesea Avenue (Ocean Gate)
1
1/week
28
11%
3
view
Ocean
Anglesea East (Ocean Gate
1
as needed*
4
0%
0
-
Ocean
Anglesea West (Ocean Gate
1
as needed*
4
0%
0
-
Ocean
Bay Beach (Barnegat)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Beachwood Beach (Beachwood)
1
1/week
37
35%
13
view
Ocean
Belvoir (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Bergen (Harvey Cedars)
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Ocean
Berkeley Island (Berkeley)
1
1/week
17
6%
1
view
Ocean
Berkeley Island East (Berkeley
Twp) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Berkeley Island West (Berkeley
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Brick Beach (Brick)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Brighton (Seaside Park)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Broadway (Pt Pleasant Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Brooklyn North (Lavallette Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Brooklyn South (Lavallette Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Bryn Mawr (Lavallette)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
California Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Cape May Ave (Harvey Cedars
1
none
0
0%
1
-
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Boro)
Ocean
Center St (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Central (Pt Pleasant Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Coast Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Colorado (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Dayton (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Dolphin (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Dune (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
East Avon Rd (Pine Beach Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
7
14%
0
-
Ocean
East Beach (Pine Beach)
1
1/week
25
4%
1
view
Ocean
East Beachwood Beach West
(Beachwood Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
15
27%
0
-
Ocean
East Tuna Way (Chadwick)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Elizabeth Ct (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Engleside (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Essex (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Fielder (Dover )
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Guyer (Lavallette)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Hancock (Seaside Heights)
1
1/week
19
16%
3
view
Ocean
Hancock North (Seaside Heights
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Ocean
Hancock South (Seaside Heights
1
as needed*
3
0%
0
-
Ocean
Harding Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Herbert Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Hudson Ave (Harvey Cedars
Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Island Beach State Park 1 (Island
Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Island Beach State Park 2
(Berkeley Twp)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Jacqueline (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Jeanette Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Jennifer (Stafford)
1
1/week
17
6%
1
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ocean
Jennifer North (Stafford Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Jennifer South (Stafford Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Jersey City (Lavallette)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Joan (Long Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Johnson (Bay Head)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Kansas Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Lavenia Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Leeward (Beach Haven)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Lincoln (Seaside Heights)
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Ocean
Loveladies (Lovelades)
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Ocean
Lyman (Mantoloking)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Maryland (Pt Pleasant Beach)
1
1/week
17
6%
0
view
Ocean
Maxon Avenue (Pt Pleasant)
1
1/week
24
13%
4
view
Ocean
Maxon East (Point Pleasant Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
4
25%
0
-
Ocean
Maxon West (Point Pleasant
1
as needed*
4
25%
0
-
Ocean
Middlesex Ave (Harvey Cedars
Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Mount (Bay Head)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
N 1st (Surf City Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
New Jersey North (Long Beach
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
New Jersey South (Long Beach
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
North 10th (Surf City)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
North Beach (Dover)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
North Leeward St III (Beach
Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
North Lincoln Ave I (Seaside
Heights Boro) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
O St (Seaside Park)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Oceanview Dr (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Osborn Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Parkertown (Little Egg Harbor)
1
1/week
2
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ocean
Paulding (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Pearl (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Pelham (Beach Haven Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Princeton (Mantoloking)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Ramapo Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Reese (Lavallette)
1
1/week
20
20%
4
view
Ocean
Reese Ave North (Lavallette
1
as needed*
4
0%
0
-
Ocean
Reese Ave South (Lavallette
1
as needed*
4
0%
0
-
Ocean
Rhode Island Ave (Long Beach
Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
River Avenue (Pt Pleasant)
1
1/week
25
20%
3
view
Ocean
River East (Point Pleasant Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
5
0%
0
-
Ocean
River West (Point Pleasant Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
5
20%
0
-
Ocean
Rosemma (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
S 2nd (Surf City Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Scott (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Seaview (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Shelter Island (Dover)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Sheridan (Seaside Heights)
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Ocean
Sigsbee Ave (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
South 14th St III (Ship Bottom
Boro)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
South 3rd (Ship Bottom)
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Ocean
South Lincoln Ave I (Seaside
Heights Boro) (bracket beach)
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
South New Jersey Ave II (Long
Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Station Ave East (Pine Beach
1
as needed*
4
0%
0
-
Ocean
Station Ave West (Pine Beach
1
as needed*
1
0%
0
-
Ocean
Stockton (Beach Haven Crest)
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Ocean
Stockton (Brant Beach)
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ocean
Stockton North (Long Beach Twp)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Ocean
Stockton South (Long Beach
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Ocean
Summit (Island Heights)
1
1/week
27
15%
1
view
Ocean
Summit East (Island Heights
1
as needed*
5
0%
0
-
Ocean
Summit West (Island Heights
1
as needed*
5
0%
0
-
Ocean
Susan (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Taylor (Beach Haven)
1
1/week
17
0%
1
view
Ocean
Tennessee Ave (Long Beach
Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
Trenton (Lavallette)
1
1/week
16
0%
0
view
Ocean
Washington (Long Beach Twp)
1
none
0
0%
1
-
Ocean
West Avon Rd (Pine Beach Boro)
(bracket beach)
1
as needed*
10
10%
0
-
Ocean
Avon Road in Pine Beach (Pine
Beach)
1
1/week
34
28%
9
view
Ocean
West Beachwood Beach West
(Beachwood Boro) (bracket
beach)
1
as needed*
15
27%
0
-
Ocean
Wildwood Avenue (Ocean Gate)
1
1/week
26
8%
2
view
Ocean
Wildwood East (Ocean Gate
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Ocean
Wildwood West (Ocean Gate
1
as needed*
2
0%
0
-
Ocean
Windward Beach (Brick)
1
1/week
32
25%
8
view
Ocean
Windward Beach East (Brick
1
as needed*
9
22%
0
-
Ocean
Windward Beach West (Brick
1
as needed*
9
22%
0
-
1. James A. Ferretti, Hiep V. Tran, Sarah J. Peterson, Virginia Loftin, "Rapid Method
Demonstration Project at Four New Jersey Marine Beaches Using Real Time Quantitative
Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)," Marine Pollution Bulletin, forthcoming 2013.
4. Bracket beaches are adjacent to regularly monitored beaches; if high bacteria concentrations
are found at a regularly monitored station, sampling is conducted at bracket stations to
determine the extent of the affected area.
State Summary: New York
human health and provide states with the support they need to monitor beach pollution and
notify the public when pollution levels are high.
Key Findings in New York
New York 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary
Percent of samples exceeding state standards

146 beaches (38%) were not monitored or had a limited number of samples (fewer than 12)

57 beaches (15%) did not have any samples exceed state standard(s)

108 beaches (28%) had >0-10% of their samples exceed state standard(s)

51 beaches (13%) had 10-20% of their samples exceed state standard(s)

20 beaches (5%) had more than 20% of their samples exceed state standard(s)

1,455 (89%) stormwater runoff



53 (3%) wildlife

(Totals exceed total days and 100% because more than one contamination source was reported
for some events.)
New York is the only state with both marine and Great Lakes coastline. There are 127 miles of
Atlantic Ocean coastline, 231 miles of shorefront on Long Island Sound, 548 miles of Long
Island bayfront, and 83 miles of shorefront on islands off the Long Island coast. In addition to
these marine coastlines, there are more than 200 miles of freshwater shoreline on Lake Erie
and Lake Ontario. Nearly all of the state's coastal beaches are on Atlantic waters. The coastal
beach monitoring program in New York is administered by the New York State Department of
Health.
What Are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in New
York?
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy was one of the largest storms ever to hit the northeastern United States. Killing
159 people and causing an estimated $70 billion in damage in eight states, Sandy was the most
destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season and the second-costliest hurricane
in U.S. history. On October 16, 2013, New York declared a statewide state of emergency due to
the storm. Parts of Long Island were evacuated, and there were widespread power outages in
Manhattan. Across the mid-Atlantic, floods overwhelmed sewage treatment plants and flushed
11 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into rivers, bays, canals, and city streets,
according to a recent report by the research firm Climate Central. For perspective, this volume
of waste could cover all of Central Park with a layer of sewage 41 feet high and is more than 50
times the amount of oil spilled BP Deepwater disaster. Approximately 93% of the volume of
sewage overflows was from New York (47%) and New Jersey (46%) alone.
Sandy not only caused flooding and sewage overflows but also severely damaged treatment
plants and pumping stations. The damaged treatment plants continued to release largely
untreated sewage into local waterways for weeks after the storm. For example, nearly 50 million
gallons of untreated sewage came from one Yonkers treatment plant during the storm, and
another 1.2 billion gallons of partially treated sewage flowed from the plant in the four weeks
afterward. On Long Island, the Bay Park treatment plant released 100 million gallons of
untreated sewage into Hewlett Bay during the 44 hours the plant was offline; it released another
2.2 billion gallons of partially treated sewage over the next 44 days, until full operation was
restored. Overall, it will cost New York an estimated $2 billion to repair the damage Sandy
caused to sewage treatment plants in the state. Local health department jurisdictions and beach
operators have been actively engaged in extensive restoration efforts where needed. Under the
federal Sandy relief bill, EPA provided grants of $340 million to New York state for
improvements to wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities impacted by Hurricane
Sandy.
New York City Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Reduction Program and Green
Infrastructure
More than 70% of New York City's 7,400 miles of sewers are combined sewers, which carry
sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff in the same pipes. When overwhelmed by the volume of
wastewater needing treatment during and immediately after storms, combined sewer systems
discharge a mixture of rainfall runoff and raw sewage into area waterways (called combined
sewer overflows, or CSOs). These CSOs contain fecal material that compromises the water
quality in New York Harbor. Reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that reaches sewage
treatment plants is one means of reducing the volume and frequency of these overflows and
improving water quality. Green infrastructure is a strategy that reduces runoff by mimicking
natural conditions that allow rainwater to infiltrate into the soil. Green infrastructure techniques
include the use of porous pavement, green roofs, rain gardens, roadside plantings, and rain
barrels that stop rain where it falls, either storing it for later beneficial use or letting it filter into
the ground naturally.
In March 2012, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and New
York State finalized a new consent order governing the city's CSO obligations, which altered
pre-existing "gray" infrastructure requirements and added new requirements to implement key
aspects of the city's 20-year Green Infrastructure Plan. The order eliminated some planned gray
projects and substituted certain others, which are projected to achieve comparable CSO volume
reductions on a citywide basis with a net savings of $1.4 billion. Much of these savings will be
reinvested to meet the order's new green infrastructure requirements, which include capturing
the first inch of runoff from at least 10 percent of the impervious surfaces in city's combined
sewer areas. The consent order also defers until 2017 any decisions on two potential CSO
detention tunnels, estimated to cost $2 billion, to give the city an opportunity to develop green
alternatives that could substitute for, or allow the downsizing of, those projects. The DEP has
invested more than $2 billion to date in CSO controls and has committed to an additional $1.3
billion over the next 10 years. In addition, the DEP is preparing CSO Long Term Control Plans
that will assess additional CSO controls to acheive the highest reasonably achievable water
quality standards.
As of June 2013, the DEP has completed construction of three Neighborhood Demonstration
Areas, in which dozens of bioswales were installed to allow the city to measure CSO volume
reductions from green infrastructure projects on a multi-block scale. Taken together, the three
installations are projected to collect more than 7 million gallons of stormwater a year and keep it
out of the combined sewer system. Citywide, the city has installed 119 bioswales to date and
expects to rapidly accelerate construction in the coming years, with near-term goals of 2,000
bioswales by the end of 2014 and 6,000 by the end of 2015.
Preventing Floatables from Washing Up on New York City Beaches
CSOs discharged from New York City also carry floating debris made up of street litter and toilet
waste such as hygiene products. When discharged to the New York/New Jersey Harbor
Complex, the floating debris tends to collect into slicks that can wash up on beaches. The multiagency Floatables Action Plan employs several means of controlling floating debris, such as
helicopter surveillance to locate slicks, catch basins to reduce the discharge of street litter to
sewers, increased street cleaning in some neighborhoods, skimmer vessels fitted with nets that
collect floating debris, floating booms that trap debris near sewer system discharge points for
later collection, and sewer system improvements intended to maximize the ability to retain
floating debris.
The DEP also maintains 24 containment facilities that capture floatables from approximately
60,000 acres of the city before they enter the ocean. In addition, the agency has a shoreline
dumping prevention program to monitor for evidence of recent illegal disposal activities.
Findings are reported to the Department of Sanitation police for follow-up and apprehension of
illegal dumpers. These methods have prevented tons of floating debris from reaching area
beaches each year. The DEP has also begun operating four new floatable control facilities
along the Bronx River and two new CSO retention facilities in Paerdegat Basin in Brooklyn and
Alley Creek in Queens.
In 2012, New York reported 361 coastal beaches and beach segments, of which 2 (1%) were
assigned a monitoring frequency of daily, 36 (10%) more than once a week, 174 (48%) once a
week, 57 (16%) every other week, 89 (25%) once a month, and 1 (<1%) less than once a
month; 2 (1%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. An additional 21 beaches were not
assigned a monitoring frequency because they are no longer in operation and there are no
plans for them to reopen. In 2012, 9% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the
state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 104 colonies/100 ml for marine beaches and 235
colonies/100 ml for Great Lakes beaches.
The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were
Shore Acres Club in Westchester County (50%), Main Street Beach in Chautauqua County
(35%), Surf Club in Westchester County (35%), Ontario Beach (33%) and Hamlin Beach–Area 4
(30%) in Monroe County, and Wright Park–East/West in Chautauqua County (30%). Monroe
County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (28%),
followed by Chautauqua (18%), Bronx (15%), Westchester (14%), Niagara (14%), Wayne
(13%), Jefferson (11%), Richmond (8%), Queens (7%), Suffolk (7%), Erie (6%), Nassau (6%),
Cayuga (5%), Kings (5%), and Oswego (1%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually
(without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This
What Are New York's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season generally extends from May to September. Sampling practices,
locations, and notification protocols for coastal beaches in the state have been established by
each of the administering agency's 12 contractors in accordance with U.S. EPA guidance
criteria for the requirements of the BEACH Act grant. Samples are collected at knee depth in
water that is approximately 3 feet deep. Monitoring locations and sampling frequency depend on
a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) potential pollution sources, historical water
quality, and physical characteristics of the beach property.
Samples taken as part of sanitary surveys and special studies may be taken at outfalls and
other sources. Some jurisdictions sample more frequently once an exceedance of standards is
found.
Total closing/advisory days for 854 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 12%
to 1,626 days in 2012 from 1,841 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 956 days in 2010,
1,775 days in 2009, 1,610 days in 2008, 1,547 days in 2007, 1,280 days in 2006, and 827 days
in 2005. In addition, there were 2 extended events (124 days total) and 1 permanent event (98
days) in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more than 13
consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For the
854 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 68% (1,092) of closing/advisory days were
preemptive due to heavy rainfall, 38% (612) were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels, 1% (10) were preemptive based on the results of computer modeling, and <1%
(6) were preemptive due to other reasons. (Totals exceed total days and 100% because more
than one reason was reported for some events.)
How Does New York Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Both closings and advisories are issued for beaches in the state. For marine beaches, New
York uses an enterococcus single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml. For freshwater beaches,
the state uses a single-sample maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml for E. coli or 61 cfu/100 ml for
enterococcus. Whether or not geometric mean standards are applied when making closing and
advisory decisions depends on the local beach authority. In addition to the single-sample
maximum standard for marine beaches, New York City applies a geometric mean standard for
enterococcus of 35 cfu/100 ml for a series of five or more samples collected during a 30-day
period.
When water quality monitoring reveals an exceedance of bacterial standards, the local beach
authority either notifies the public or resamples within 24 hours if there is reason to doubt the
validity of the original result. If the resample exceeds the water quality standard, a closing or
advisory is issued. At New York City beaches that are found to have elevated bacteria levels,
the department either conducts immediate resampling, issues a pollution advisory and conducts
resampling, or closes the beach and conducts resampling.
All of the counties with marine beaches and most of the counties with Great Lakes beaches
issue preemptive advisories based on rainfall amounts or other conditions. A sanitation and
safety survey or investigation that reveals the presence of floatable debris, medical/infectious
waste, toxic contaminants, petroleum products, and/or other contamination on the beach or
evidence of sewage and wastewater discharge can also trigger an advisory or closing.
Several of New York's beachwater quality jurisdictions have developed models of various
designs and complexity for their beaches. For example, Monroe County uses a model based on
the amount of rainfall, the flow rate of the Genessee River, turbidity, and the presence of algae
and other organic debris. The Interstate Environmental Commission initiated the development of
an extensive hydrodynamic loading model (the Regional Bypass Model), which is integrated into
the beach monitoring and notification programs of the New York City Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene and the Westchester County Health Department. Erie and Monroe Counties
and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are working with
the United States Geological Survey to examine predictive models using EPA's Virtual Beach
software. Chautauqua County has also developed models using Virtual Beach.
New York 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Yardarm Condominium
South
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Chautauqua
Wright Park - West
1
1/week
20
30%
20
view
Chautauqua
Wright Park - East?
1
1/week
20
30%
13
view
Erie
Woodlawn Beach Woodlawn Beach State
Park
1
1/week
108
13%
13
view
Suffolk
Woodhull Landing
2
1/week
30
10%
8
view
Suffolk
Woodcliff Park Poa
3
1/month
13
8%
0
view
Richmond
Wolfe's Pond Park
1
1/week
60
15%
0
view
Suffolk
Wincoma Beach
2
1/week
30
0%
9
view
Niagara
Wilson - Tuscarora State
Park Beach
1
1/week
15
13%
2
view
Jefferson
Willows On the Lake
Beach
2
2/week
33
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Wildwood State Park
Beach
2
1/week
16
13%
0
view
Suffolk
Wiborg Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Queens
Whitestone Booster Civic
Association
1
1/week
63
5%
16
view
Bronx
White Cross Fishing
Club
1
1/week
69
23%
54
view
Suffolk
Westhampton House
3
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Westcott Beach State
Park - Camps?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Westcott Beach - Main
2
1/week
28
18%
0
view
Westchester
Westchester Country
Club Beach
1
1/week
18
6%
0
view
Nassau
Westbury Beach Club
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
West Oaks Recreation
Club
2
1/week
26
0%
8
view
Suffolk
West Neck Beach
2
1/week
32
3%
9
view
Suffolk
West Meadow Beach
2
1/week
33
12%
3
view
Suffolk
West Islip Beach
1
2/week
26
8%
4
view
Nassau
West Harbor Memorial
Beach
2
1/week
51
2%
0
view
Bronx
West Fordham Street
Association
1
1/week
63
17%
23
view
Erie
Wendt Beach
1
2/week
100
9%
8
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Water Mill Beach Club
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Wading River Beach
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Wades Beach
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
W. Scott Cameron
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
VIP Club
2
1/week
20
10%
0
view
Nassau
Village Club At Sands
Point
3
2/month
39
23%
0
view
Suffolk
Veteran's Memorial Park
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Nassau
Vernon Avenue Beach
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Venetian Shores
1
2/week
30
10%
5
view
Suffolk
Vanderbilt Beach?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Valley Grove Beach
1
2/week
32
6%
9
view
Suffolk
Two-Mile Hollow Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Suffolk
TRUMAN'S BEACH (no
longer an operating
beach)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Bronx
Trinity Danish Young
People's Society
1
1/week
63
22%
44
view
Nassau
Town Park Point Lookout
3
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Nassau
Town Park Camp Anchor
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Nassau
Town Park - Area D
Sands/Lido/Anchor
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Chautauqua Town of Hanover Beach
3
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Nassau
Town House Apartments
at Lido
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Nassau
Tobay Beach - Ocean
2
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Nassau
Tobay Beach - Marina
3
2/month
29
0%
0
view
Nassau
Tobay Beach - Bay
1
1/week
31
3%
0
view
Suffolk
Tides Property Owners
Association
1
2/week
31
16%
8
view
Suffolk
Tiana Shores
Association
2
1/week
10
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Tiana Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nassau
Theodore Roosevelt
Beach
1
1/week
53
2%
12
view
Nassau
The Creek Beach
2
1/week
52
0%
13
view
Suffolk
Terraces On the Sound
1
2/week
28
11%
8
view
Nassau
Tappan Beach
1
1/week
40
5%
13
view
Suffolk
Tanner Park
1
2/week
40
28%
18
view
Suffolk
Swordfish Club
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Surf Club of Quogue
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
Surf Club
1
1/week
20
35%
0 (77)
view
Chautauqua
Sunset Bay Beach Club
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Nassau
Sunny Atlantic Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Sunken Meadow State
Park Beach
2
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Nassau
Sun and Surf Beach
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Stony Brook Yacht Club
1
2/week
33
27%
13
view
Suffolk
Stony Brook Beach
2
1/week
31
13%
4
view
Nassau
Stehli Beach
2
1/week
53
2%
12
view
Suffolk
Steers Beach
2
1/week
35
14%
14
view
Erie
St. Vincent Depaul
Beach
2
2/week
59
5%
2
view
Jefferson
Southwick Beach State
Park
2
1/week
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Southold Beach
3
1/month
20
15%
1
view
Suffolk
Southampton Peconic
Beach and Tennis Club
3
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Southampton Bath and
Tennis
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
South Lake Drive
Beach?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
South Jamesport Beach
3
1/month
12
8%
0
view
Richmond
South Beach
2
1/week
56
5%
2
view
Nassau
Soundside Beach
2
1/week
53
0%
12
view
Suffolk
Sound View Beach
Association
2
1/week
25
0%
8
view
1
2/week
31
3%
8
view
Suffolk
Sound Beach Poa -
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
West
Suffolk
Sound Beach Poa East?
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Wayne
Sodus Point - Lake Side
2
2/month
8
25%
2
view
Wayne
Sodus Point - Bayside
2
2/month
7
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Smith Point County Park
3
1/month
5
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Silver Sands Motel
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Nassau
Silver Point Beach Club
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Short Beach
2
1/week
29
0%
8
view
Suffolk
Shoreham Village Beach
2
1/week
30
3%
6
view
Suffolk
Shoreham Shore Club
2
1/week
31
10%
6
view
Suffolk
Shoreham Beach
2
1/week
29
3%
5
view
Westchester
Shore Acres Club
1
1/week
18
50%
10
view
Suffolk
Shirley Beach
2
1/week
25
4%
4
view
Chautauqua
Sheridan Bay Park?
3
1/week
15
7%
0
view
Westchester
Shenorock Shore Club
2
1/week
20
10%
0
view
Suffolk
Shelter Island Heights
Beach Club
2
1/week
12
8%
0
view
Oswego
Selkirk Shores State
Park Beach?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Seaview Beach
Association - Bay
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Seaview - Ocean
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Kings
Seagate Beach - 42nd
Street
2
1/week
57
4%
0
view
Kings
Seagate Beach - 38th
Street
2
1/week
57
7%
0
view
Nassau
Seacliff Beach
1
1/week
40
5%
13
view
Suffolk
Scotts Beach
2
1/week
27
7%
8
view
Bronx
Schuyler Hill Civic
Association
1
1/week
57
9%
21
view
Suffolk
Schubert Beach
2
1/week
32
9%
8
view
Suffolk
Sayville Marina Park
1
2/week
32
9%
10
view
Suffolk
Sayville Beach
1
2/week
31
13%
8
view
Oswego
Sandy Island Beach
1
1/week
15
7%
0
view
Suffolk
Sandspit Beach?
2
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Nassau
Sands At Atlantic
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Saltaire Beach - Ocean
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Saltaire Beach - Bay
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Sagg Main Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
Rye Town Park Oakland Beach
1
1/week
20
10%
0
view
Westchester
Rye Playland Beach
1
1/week
20
10%
0
view
Suffolk
Rogers Pavillion
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Queens
Rockaway Beach - 126th
- 149th
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
Rockaway Beach - 116th
St. to 126th
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
Rockaway Beach - 95th 116th
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
Rockaway Beach - 23rd 59th
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
Rockaway Beach - 15th 22nd
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Queens
Rockaway Beach - 9th 13 th
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Robert Moses State Park
Beach - Suffolk County
2
1/week
62
2%
0
view
Suffolk
Reeves Beach
3
1/month
13
8%
0
view
Nassau
Ransom Beach
2
1/week
53
4%
12
view
Oswego
Rainbow Shores
2
2/month
12
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Quogue Village Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Quogue Beach Club
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Quantuck Beach Club
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nassau
Putnam Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Wayne
Pultneyville Mariners
Beach?
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Prybil Beach
2
1/week
54
7%
13
view
Suffolk
Pridwin Hotel
3
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Prices Bend Beach
2
1/week
31
0%
9
view
Suffolk
Port Jefferson Beach West
2
1/week
29
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Port Jefferson Beach East
2
1/week
24
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Ponquogue Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Point O'Woods
Association - Bay
2
1/week
8
0%
0
view
Nassau
Point Lookout Park
District
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Chautauqua
Point Gratiot Beach West
2
1/week
18
28%
20
view
Chautauqua
Point Gratiot Beach East
2
1/week
19
16%
13
view
Erie
Point Breeze Camp?
3
<1/month
4
0%
0
view
Nassau
Plaza West
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Nassau
Plaza Beach Club
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Nassau
Plaza Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
2
view
Nassau
Piping Rock Beach
2
1/week
53
2%
13
view
Erie
Pioneer Camp
2
2/week
60
5%
5
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Pikes Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Pickwick Beach?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Phillip Healey
1
1/week
40
13%
11
view
Suffolk
Perlman Music Camp
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Peconic Dunes Camp Sound
3
1/month
16
6%
0
view
Nassau
Pebble Cove
Homeowners'
Association
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Patchogue Village Pool
and Beach Club
2
1/week
24
0%
5
view
Suffolk
Overlook Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
Orienta Beach Club
1
1/week
20
20%
16
view
Suffolk
Orient Beach State Park
2
1/week
14
7%
0
view
Bronx
Orchard Beach
1
1/week
60
7%
2
view
Monroe
Ontario Beach
1
1/day
266
33%
44
view
Suffolk
Old Field Club
2
1/week
32
16%
1
view
Suffolk
Ocean Colony & Tennis
Club?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Ocean Club Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Ocean Beach - Ocean
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Ocean Beach - Bay
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Norman Klipp Park
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Nissequogue Point
Beach
2
1/week
30
10%
8
view
Suffolk
Nick's Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Newport Beach Poa?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
New Suffolk Beach
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Westchester
New Rochelle Rowing
Club
3
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
NEPTUNE BEACH
CLUB (no longer an
operating beach)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Suffolk
Nathan Hale Beach Club
2
1/week
32
9%
9
view
Suffolk
Nassau Point Causeway
3
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Nassau
Nassau Beach West
Terrace
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Nassau
Nassau Beach East
Terrace
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Nassau
Nassau Beach Central
Terrace
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Bronx
Morris Yacht and Beach
Club
1
1/week
72
17%
25
view
Nassau
Morgan Memorial Beach
1
1/week
53
6%
11
view
Nassau
Montgomery Boulevard
Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Minasseroke Beach?
none
0
0%
0
view
no
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
data
Suffolk
Miller Place Park Beach
2
1/week
30
3%
8
view
Suffolk
Miller Beach Surf Club
2
1/week
31
10%
0
view
Richmond
Midland Beach
2
1/week
57
5%
2
view
Oswego
Mexico Point State Park
(Town)
2
2/month
12
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Meschutt Beach
3
1/month
11
9%
0
view
Nassau
Merrick Estates Civic
Association
2
1/week
35
3%
10
view
Suffolk
Mecox Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Mccabe's Beach
3
1/month
16
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Mattituck Breakwater
Beach
2
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Westchester
Marinas Edge?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Westchester
Manunsing Island Club
2
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Nassau
Manor Haven Beach
2
1/week
38
13%
0
view
Bronx
Manhem Beach Club
1
1/week
69
13%
33
view
Kings
Manhattan Beach
1
1/week
57
7%
2
view
Westchester
Mamaroneck Beach and
Cabana Club
1
1/week
20
20%
13
view
Chautauqua
Main Street Beach?
1
1/week
17
35%
31
view
Suffolk
Main Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Maidstone Club, Inc.
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Maidstone Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Nassau
Long Beach City
3
2/month
54
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Long Beach
2
1/week
31
10%
8
view
Bronx
Locust Point Yacht Club
1
1/week
60
3%
34
view
Suffolk
Lloyd Neck Bath Club
2
1/week
32
6%
7
view
Suffolk
Lloyd Harbor Village
Park
2
1/week
28
0%
9
view
Suffolk
Lloyd Harbor Estates
3
1/month
30
3%
0
view
Suffolk
Little Bay Beach
2
1/week
20
5%
8
view
Nassau
Lido Beach West
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Nassau
Lido Beach Park District
3
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Nassau
Lido Beach - Towers
Condo
3
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Nassau
Lawrence Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Nassau
Lattington Beach
2
1/week
54
4%
12
view
Suffolk
Lashley Pavillion
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Laronde Beach Club,
Inc.
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
Larchmont Shore Club
1
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Westchester
Larchmont Manor Park
1
1/week
19
11%
0
view
Lake Erie State Park
no
none
0
0%
0
view
Chautauqua
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Beach?
data
Erie
Lake Erie Beach
1
2/week
100
1%
2
view
Niagara
Krull Park
1
1/week
41
15%
7
view
Suffolk
Knollwood Beach
1
2/week
32
9%
9
view
Suffolk
Kismet Beach - Ocean
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Kirk Park Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Kings
Kingsborough
Community College
1
1/week
57
0%
2
view
Suffolk
Kenny's Beach
3
1/month
16
0%
0
view
Nassau
Jones Beach State ParkCentral
2
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Nassau
Jones Beach - Zach's
Bay
1
2/week
32
13%
2
view
Nassau
Jones Beach - West
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Nassau
Jefferson Boulevard
Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Islip Beach
2
1/week
29
7%
8
view
Westchester
Isle of San Socecci?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Island People's Project
3
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Nassau
Island Park Beach
1
1/week
38
3%
10
view
Suffolk
Iron Pier Beach
3
1/month
12
8%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Nassau
Inwood Beach Club
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Indian Wells Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Indian Field Beach
2
1/week
20
15%
8
view
Nassau
Inc. Village of Laurel
Hollow
1
1/week
55
15%
13
view
Suffolk
Huntington Beach
Community Assoc.
1
2/week
34
15%
15
view
Westchester
Hudson Park
1
1/week
40
23%
13
view
Suffolk
Holiday Beach
2
2/week
9
0%
7
view
Suffolk
Hobart Beach - Inlet
2
1/week
32
3%
7
view
Suffolk
Hobart Beach - Bay
2
1/week
33
9%
8
view
Suffolk
Hither Hills State Park
Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Nassau
Hewlett Beach
1
1/week
41
7%
11
view
Suffolk
Hermitage At
Napeague?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Henderson Harbor Yacht
Club Beach
2
2/week
72
10%
11
-
Nassau
Hempstead Harbor
Beach Park
1
1/week
38
13%
12
view
Suffolk
Heckscher State Park West Beach
2
1/week
16
19%
2
view
Suffolk
Heckscher - Overlook
Beach
2
1/week
13
8%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Head of the Bay Club
2
1/week
31
3%
9
view
Suffolk
Hay Harbor Club
3
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Haven's Beach
2
1/week
10
0%
6
view
Nassau
Harbor Isle Beach
2
1/week
37
11%
0
view
Westchester
Harbor Island Beach
1
1/week
20
15%
11
view
Monroe
Hamlin Beach State Park
- Area 3
1
1/week
110
25%
6
view
Monroe
Hamlin Beach - Area 4
1
1/week
109
30%
7
view
Erie
Hamburg Bathing Beach
1
2/week
104
11%
12
view
Suffolk
Gurney's Inn Resort and
Spa
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
Greentree Club
1
1/week
20
15%
15
view
Suffolk
Great Gun Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Grantland Beach
1
2/week
23
22%
14
view
Suffolk
Goose Creek
2
1/week
15
7%
0
view
Bronx
Golden Beach Club?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Gold Star Battalion
Beach
1
2/week
31
3%
9
view
Westchester
Glen Island Park
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Gilgo Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Kings
Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach
1
1/week
57
12%
21
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Georgica Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nassau
Genessee Boulvard
Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Friendship Drive Beach
2
1/week
29
10%
8
view
Suffolk
Founder's Landing
2
1/week
16
6%
0
view
Suffolk
Foster Memorial
3
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Flying Point
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Fleets Neck Beach
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Fleets Cove Beach
1
2/week
31
0%
9
view
Suffolk
Fisher's Island Country
Club
3
1/month
2
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Fifth Street Park Beach
2
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Fiddlers Green
Association
3
1/month
30
0%
0
view
Cayuga
Fair Haven Beach State
Park
1
1/week
37
5%
0
view
Suffolk
Fair Harbor Community
Association - Bay
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Fair Harbor - Ocean
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Erie
Evans Town Park
1
2/week
99
4%
4
view
Erie
Evangola State Park
Beach
1
1/week
46
4%
0
view
Nassau
Eldorado Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Westchester
Echo Bay Yacht Club
1
1/week
17
12%
11
view
Suffolk
East Lake Drive Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
East Islip Beach
2
1/week
28
4%
5
view
Nassau
East Atlantic Beach
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Eagle Dock Community
Beach
1
2/week
28
4%
9
view
Nassau
Dutchess Boulevard
Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Monroe
Durand Beach
1
1/day
72
11%
14
view
Suffolk
Dunewood Poa Beach Bay
2
1/week
8
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Dunewood Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Dune Deck Hotel
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Oswego
Dowie Dale
2
2/month
12
0%
0
view
Queens
Douglaston
Homeowners
Association
1
1/week
69
19%
22 (47)
view
Suffolk
Dorothy P. Flint Camp
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Ditch Plains Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Devon Yacht Club, Inc.
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Davis Park Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Westchester
Davenport Club
2
1/week
20
15%
11
view
1
1/week
69
16%
48
view
Bronx
Danish American Beach
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Club
Suffolk
Cupsogue County Park
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Culloden Shores
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Crescent Yacht Club
Beach
2
2/week
35
0%
0
-
Suffolk
Crescent Beach - Suffolk
2
1/week
31
6%
9
view
Suffolk
Crescent Beach - Shelter
Island
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Nassau
Crescent Beach
2
1/week
159
19%
0 (98)
view
Suffolk
Crab Meadow Beach
2
1/week
31
3%
8
view
Westchester
Coveleigh Beach Club
2
1/week
20
20%
11
view
Suffolk
Cornell Co-Operative
Extension Marine Center
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Corey Creek Beach
2
1/week
28
4%
8
view
Suffolk
Copiague Harbor
2
1/week
21
5%
7
view
Suffolk
Coopers Neck Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Kings
Coney Island Beach - W.
28th - W. 37th
2
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Kings
Coney Island Beach - W.
16th - 27th
2
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Kings
Coney Island Beach Ocean Parkway - W. 8th
2
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Kings
Coney Island Beach Brighton 15th - 6th
2
1/week
19
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Kings
Coney Island Beach Brighton 6th - Ocean
Parkway
2
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Kings
Coney Island - W. 8th St.
to Pier
2
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Suffolk
Cold Spring Harbor
Beach Club
1
2/week
33
15%
8
view
Suffolk
Club At Point O'woods Ocean
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Nassau
Clearwater Cabana
Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Clearwater Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Oswego
Chedmardo
2
2/month
12
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Chaumont Village Beach
2
2/week
48
4%
4
view
Nassau
Centre Island Sound
Beach
2
1/week
53
2%
12
view
Nassau
Centre Island Bay Beach
2
1/week
54
6%
0
view
Suffolk
Centerport Yacht Club?
1
1/week
25
16%
0
view
Suffolk
Centerport Beach
2
1/week
32
3%
9
view
Richmond
Cedar Grove
2
1/week
57
5%
2
view
Suffolk
Cedar Beach - West
2
1/week
30
3%
1
view
Suffolk
Cedar Beach - East (Mt.
Sinai)
2
1/week
32
9%
1
view
Suffolk
Cedar Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Nassau
Catalina Beach
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Camp Tekakwitha?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Camp Quinipet
3
1/month
11
0%
0
view
Niagara
Camp Kenan
1
1/week
23
13%
4
-
Suffolk
CAMP INTEGRITY (no
longer an operating
beach)
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Suffolk
Camp Dewolfe
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Camp Blue Bay
2
1/week
4
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Camp Baiting Hollow
3
1/month
12
8%
0
view
Suffolk
Camp Alvernia?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Callahan's Beach
2
1/week
30
10%
8
view
Suffolk
Brookhaven Bathing
Association?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Broadway Beach
1
2/week
30
10%
8
view
Suffolk
Brightwaters Beach
2
1/week
29
3%
8
view
Suffolk
Bridgehampton Tennis
and Surf
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Bridgehampton Club
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Oswego
Brennan's Beach
2
2/month
12
0%
0
view
Queens
Breezy Point - Reid Ave.
3
2/month
30
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Queens
Breezy Point - 219th
Street
3
2/month
42
12%
14
view
Suffolk
Boys and Girls Harbor?
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Chautauqua
Blue Water Beach
3
1/week
32
9%
2
view
Nassau
Biltmore Beach
1
1/week
101
22%
31
view
Erie
Bennett Beach
1
2/week
100
3%
1
view
Suffolk
Benjamins Beach
1
2/week
33
15%
12
view
Suffolk
Bellport Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Belle Terre Beach
2
1/week
29
0%
0
view
Nassau
Beekman Beach
3
2/month
52
17%
0
view
Suffolk
Beech Road Beach
1
2/week
31
10%
8
view
Jefferson
Bedford Creek Marina
and Campground Beach
2
2/week
60
28%
16
-
Westchester
Beckwithe Pointe
1
1/week
20
10%
0
view
Westchester
Beach Point Club
1
1/week
19
5%
11
view
Suffolk
Bayview Beach
2
1/week
22
5%
8
view
Suffolk
Bayport Beach
1
2/week
29
14%
5
view
Suffolk
Baycrest Association
Beach
2
1/week
31
6%
9
view
Suffolk
Bayberry Cove Beach
2
1/week
28
21%
21
view
Suffolk
Bayberry Beach and
Tennis Club
2
1/week
26
0%
8
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Suffolk
Bay Hills POA
2
1/week
33
15%
11
view
Suffolk
Bathing Corp of
Southampton
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Bath and Tennis Hotel
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Nassau
Bar Beach
1
1/week
40
5%
2
view
Suffolk
Atlantique Beach Ocean
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Atlantique Beach - Bay
2
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Nassau
Atlantic Beach Estates
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Nassau
Atlantic Beach Club
3
2/month
11
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Atlantic Avenue Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Asharoken Beach
2
1/week
36
14%
11
view
Suffolk
Amityville Beach
1
2/week
31
13%
5
view
Westchester
American Yacht Club
2
1/week
19
5%
0
view
Bronx
American Turners
1
1/week
69
22%
44
view
Suffolk
Amagansett Beach
Association
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Suffolk
Alberts Landing Beach
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
State Summary: North Carolina
Ranked 3rd in Beachwater Quality (out of 30 states)
North Carolina 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary


44 (48%) wildlife

(Totals exceed total days and 100% because more than one contamination source was reported for
some events.)
Most of North Carolina's 240 public coastal beaches, which stretch along 320 miles of Atlantic
waters, are located on barrier islands. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (NCDENR) administers the state's BEACH Act grant.
In 2012, North Carolina reported 240 coastal beaches. Of these, 114 (48%) were assigned a
monitoring frequency of once a week, and 126 (52%) every other week. In 2012, 1% of all reported
beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 104
colonies/100 ml (276/100ml for Tier 2 beaches and 500/100ml for Tier 3 beaches). The beaches with
the highest percent exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Waterway Park in
Brunswick County (10%), "Sound Access at the Intersection of E. Main St. and Tooley St. Belhaven"
in Beaufort County (9%), "Vehicle Access, 600 yds. N. Carolina Beach Pier at Dune Mark" in New
Hanover County (8%), and Jockey's Ridge Soundside Access in Dare County (8%). Beaufort County
had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (2%), followed by New
Hanover (1%), Dare (1%), Carteret (1%), Brunswick (1%), Craven (1%), Pender (1%), and Onslow
(<1%). There were no exceedances in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Hyde, Pamlico,
Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Tyrell Counties. NRDC considers all reported samples individually
(without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes
duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if any.
What Are North Carolina's Sampling Practices?
North Carolina's swim season runs from April 1 to October 31. Monitoring occurs year-round but is
less frequent during the off-season, and alerts and advisories are not issued during the off-season.
Monitoring is conducted in the off-season because it can allow the beach program to find and correct
bacteriological problems before the swim season begins.
NCDENR conducts sampling and notification activities throughout the coastal waters of the state;
these duties are not delegated to local authorities. Samples are collected in a variety of ways.
Samples in ocean surf are taken 16 feet from the sampler's body using a telescopic golf ball retriever
in knee-deep water, 6 to 12 inches below the surface. Approximately half of the samples are
collected by boat, and these samples are taken in water that is 3 feet deep, 12 inches below the
surface. Samples taken from piers must be taken in the most-used area, 6 to 12 inches below the
water's surface.
North Carolina prioritizes its beaches for sampling on the basis of usage. Tier 1 includes beaches
that are adjacent to resort areas, public accesses, and sailing camps and are used daily. All ocean
beaches are considered Tier 1. Tier 2 beaches are in areas such as as the intracoastal waterway,
tidal creeks, and exposed shoals. People frequent Tier 2 sites mostly on weekends and usually
access them by watercraft. Tier 3 beaches are used an average of four times per month, or less
frequently but intensively for special events, such as triathlons. North Carolina regularly monitors all
of its beaches, including those in Tier 3.
Beaches with storm drains that extend to the water's edge are sampled 10 feet from either side of
the drain, when practical. Beaches with storm drains that do not extend to the water's edge are
sampled where the water flowing back down the beach from the previous wave meets the next
incoming wave. States that deliberately sample near potential sources of pollution, such as storm
drains, tend to have higher percent exceedance rates than states that do not. In Dare County, lateral
sampling is performed after a storm to determine the extent of the bacteria plume from discharging
storm drains. Lateral sampling is also done at some sites when the running monthly geometric mean
water quality standard is exceeded in order to determine the extent of the contaminated area.
NCDENR samples after storm events, sewage spills, dredge disposal, and floodwater pumping to
confirm safe bacteria levels before lifting preemptive advisories. States that monitor more frequently
after exceedances are found and after storm or pollution events will tend to have higher percent
exceedance rates and fewer total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency
did not increase after an exceedance or a storm or pollution event.
North Carolina also monitors for Karenia brevis, a marine alga responsible for causing a harmful
algal bloom often called a red tide. When a K. brevis bloom is detected off the east coast of Florida,
satellite imagery is used to locate the Gulf Stream. When the Gulf Stream comes near the North
Carolina coast, sampling for K. brevis begins. If nearshore K. brevis levels present a health concern,
beach advisories will be issued, but as yet, such advisories have not been warranted.
168 days in 2008, 123 days in 2007, 346 days in 2006, and 197 days in 2005. There was 1 extended
event (78 days) and no permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than
six weeks but not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13
consecutive weeks. All closing and advisory days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed
elevated bacteria levels.
How Does North Carolina Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The NCDENR does not have the authority to close beaches; it issues alerts and advisories only.
However, the state and county health directors do have the authority to close any body of water if
necessary for the protection of public health. he public is notified of alerts and advisories through
press releases, the NCDENR website, and other avenues. Signs are posted at the beach only for
advisories. Also, advisory days are reported to EPA and included in this state summary, but alerts
are not.
North Carolina uses the Enterolert® method for analysis instead of the membrane filtration method.
Enterolert® produces bacterial counts in terms of most probable number (mpn) rather than colony
forming units (cfu), but both of these values are intended to represent the number of viable
organisms in a sample. From May 1 to September 30, North Carolina's water quality standards at its
Tier 1 beaches are a single-sample maximum of 104 mpn/100 ml and a geometric mean of at least 5
of the most recent regularly spaced samples within a 30-day period of 35 mpn/100 ml. At Tier 2
beaches the standard is a single-sample maximum of 276 mpn/100 ml, and at Tier 3 beaches the
standard is a single-sample maximum of 500 mpn/100 ml. The geometric mean standard is not
applied to Tier 2 and Tier 3 beaches. During April and October, the standard for Tier 1 beaches is
generally the same as the standard for Tier 2 beaches. However, the NCDENR generally opts to
apply Tier 1 standards during those months if temperatures are warm enough for high recreational
use.
North Carolina has an elaborate process for determining when to issue a notification, and the
process varies according to tier.

Tier 1 beaches whose water quality exceeds standards more than just occasionally are
sampled in triplicate, while other Tier 1 beaches have one sample taken per sampling event.
For Tier 1 beaches that are sampled in triplicate, an advisory is issued without resampling
when two out of three simultaneous samples exceed 104 mpn/100 ml. Between May 1 and
September 30 at Tier 1 beaches that are not sampled in triplicate, an alert is issued for
beaches when the enterococcus level is between 104 and 500 mpn/100 ml. A second sample
is collected immediately when an alert is issued, and if the level in the resample exceeds 104
mpn/100 ml, the alert converts to an advisory. It is rare for an alert at a Tier 1 beach to convert
to an advisory, in part because alerts are rarely issued at these beaches, which have a history
of good water quality. Resamples taken after an alert is issued almost never exceed standards.
Alerts do not apply to beaches that are sampled in triplicate. An advisory is issued without a
resample at Tier 1 beaches if a single sample is greater than 500 mpn/100 ml or if the
geometric mean of at least 5 of the most recent regularly spaced samples taken over the space
of 30 days exceeds 35 mpn/100 ml.

For Tier 2 beaches, an alert is issued if a sample is between 276 and 500 mpn/100 ml, and a
resample is conducted. This alert converts to an advisory if the resample level exceeds 276
mpn/100 ml. An advisory is issued without a resample at Tier 2 beaches if a single sample is
greater than 500 mpn/100 ml.

Alerts are not issued at Tier 3 beaches. Instead, Tier 3 beaches are resampled if fecal indicator
bacteria levels are higher than 500 mpn/100 ml, and if the second sample is above that level,
an advisory is issued.
The NCDENR observes fecal coliform results from the state's shellfish-growing waters in order to get
an indication of water quality at nearby recreational sites, but fecal coliform results are not used to
issue advisories or alerts.
During extreme rain events such as tropical storms and hurricanes, the NCDENR may issue blanket
advisories that cover large regions or all of coastal North Carolina. This type of advisory is not
reported to the EPA and does not appear in NRDC's data analysis. In addition, permanent signs are
posted on either side of storm drain outfalls stating that swimming between the signs is not
recommended and that waters may be contaminated by discharge from the outfall (NRDC data do
not include this type of standing advisory). Otherwise, preemptive rainfall advisories (advisories
issued after rain, before monitoring results are available) are not issued because, according to the
state, monitoring data indicate that water quality at ocean beaches is not affected by rainfall except
near storm drains. Preemptive advisories are issued after known sewage spills, or when dredged
material from closed shellfishing waters is placed on ocean beaches.
North Carolina 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory
Days3
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Beaufort
E Shore of Blounts Bay- Pamlico
River
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Beaufort
Pamlico River- City Park
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Beaufort
Pamlico River- Junction of Upper
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Goose Creek and Dinah's
Landing
Beaufort
Pamlico River- Maul's Point
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Beaufort
Pamlico River- Ragged Point
Swim Area
1
1/week
35
3%
0
view
Beaufort
Pamlico River- Tripp Point
Recreational Area
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Beaufort
Pamlico River- WashingtonRailroad Trestle
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Beaufort
SE of Austin Pt- Pamlico River
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Beaufort
Sound access at the intersection
of E. Main St. and Tooley St.
Belhaven
1
1/week
33
9%
0 (78)
view
Beaufort
W of Hills Point- Pamlico River
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Bertie
Boat ramp at the intersection of
SR 1500 and Vincent St.
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Beach access between Bald
Head Harbor entrance & Bald
Head Cr.
1
1/week
26
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Beach Access near Capt. Jack's
on Holden Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Cape Fear River, beach area
adjacent to Southport municipal
pier
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Caswell Beach public Access off
Caswell Beach Rd.
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Brunswick
East Beach area- Beach access
#42
1
1/week
27
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Ferry Road public access
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Greensboro St. emergency
vehicle access/ Stormwater outfall
pipe
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
ICW
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
ICW
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Intracoastal Waterway, beach
area adjacent to Howells Pt
Wildlife boat ramp
2
2/month
20
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Intracoastal Waterway, beach
area between marker #28 &
marker #29
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Intracoastal Waterway,
marker#67 near Holden Beach
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Brunswick
Intracoastal Waterway, shoreline
adjacent to Ocean isle Wildlife
boat ramp
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Intracoastal Waterway, waterfront
park at end of NE 52nd St
3
2/month
20
5%
0
view
Brunswick
Lighthouse Park; Ed Zaleskiway
Way - Oak Island
1
1/week
34
3%
0
-
Brunswick
Middleton Public Access - Oak
Island
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Oak Island Wildlife ramp off Fish
Factory Rd
3
2/month
20
5%
0
view
Brunswick
Ocean pier at 30th Place West
and Beach Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Ocean Pier at Causeway and
First St.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Ocean pier at Main St. and
Sunset Blvd.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Ocean pier at Ocean Blvd. And
Durham St.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Ocean pier between 14th and
15th Place East and Beach Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Park on Fish Factory Road in
Southport
2
2/month
20
0%
1
-
Brunswick
Public access at 40th and Main
St.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Public access at Dawson Street Ocean Isle Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Public access at Dolphin Street
Holden Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Public access at Driftwood Street
- Ocean Isle Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Public access at First and
Chadbourn St.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Public access at Ocean Dr. and
Keziah St.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Public access just west of Mile
marker #1
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Public Access, 46th St/SE and E.
Beach Drive - Oak Island
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Public Access, 58th St/SE and E.
Beach Drive - Oak Island
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Public Access, east end Holden
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Beach
Brunswick
Public access, east end Sunset
beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Brunswick
Public Access, west end of Oak
Island Drive - Oak Island
3
2/month
20
5%
0
view
Brunswick
South Beach area- Beach access
# 17
1
1/week
27
0%
0
view
Brunswick
SW side, Holden Beach Bridge
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Brunswick
Waterway Park
3
2/month
20
10%
0
view
Brunswick
Wildlife Ramp east of Sunset
Beach Bridge
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Camden
Canal boat ramp on SR 1153
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Camden
Sound access on SR 1153
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
1/2 mile W of mile marker 10,
oceanside
1
1/week
34
3%
1
view
Carteret
1/4 mile W of 20 1/2 mile marker,
oceanside
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
2 1/4 miles north of Cape Pt near
Barden Inlet
1
1/week
99
0%
0
view
Carteret
50 yards east of NC Marine
Fisheries Dock
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
100 yds. NE Gallant's Channel
Bridge by Shore
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
400 yds SE of Bean Island off
Core Banks
3
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Carteret
Adams Creek off Silver Dollar Rd
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
AO- Public Beach Access, Inlet
Rd., West side junction of Coast
Guard and Inlet Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Bogue Inlet mouth of Coast
Guard Channel
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Bogue Sd.- Archer Point
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Bogue Sound- Boat Landing
Tourist Center
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Bogue Sound- Canal Leading to
Moonlite Bay
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Bogue Sound- E side of Mouth of
Gales Creek
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Bogue Sound- Goose Creek, off
campground
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Carteret
Bouge Sound- W Salter Path,
~200 yds off of Wam Squam Ln
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Cape Lookout Coast Guard Dock
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Cedar Is - Bch area SE of Wildlife
Ramp adjacent to Ferry Landing
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Carteret
Core Sd.- Shell point off Harkers
Island
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Core Sound White Point,
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Deer Crk - Public access end of
Bogue Sound Dr
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Carteret
Fort Macon, Park Access
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Harker's Island bridge at
swimming area
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Headen Ln. Salter PathSoundside ~200 yds. off shore
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
ICW
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
ICW
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Indian Beach - Public Beach
Access @ mile marker 12
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Carteret
Knob Island- N side
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Lennoxville Boat Ramp
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Mile marker 7 1/2, oceanside
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Mile marker 15, oceanside
1
1/week
37
5%
14
view
Carteret
Mile post 4 1/2, oceanside of
Pelican Dr.
1
1/week
28
4%
0
view
Carteret
Mile post 19 1/2, oceanside
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Morehead City - Drain Pipe at
16th street
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Carteret
Mouth of Back Creek - Left Side
by Beach
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
N end of Old Ferry Rd.,
soundside
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Newport River- Public access NW
of Bridge
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
North River- at hwy 70 bridge
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
North side mouth of Town Creek
in Beaufort
1
1/week
49
4%
8
view
Carteret
Ocean end of Central Dr., Atlantic
Ocean
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Carteret
Ocean end of Henderson Blvd..,
AO
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Ocean end of New Bern St., AO
1
1/week
33
3%
0
view
Carteret
Off Brown's Island
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Park Service Dock
1
1/week
99
2%
0
view
Carteret
Pine Knoll Shores - Just east of
mile marker 8 1/2 - Hwy 58 east
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Public Access near Fawn Drive in
Emerald Isle
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Carteret
Radio Island Public Beach
Access
1
1/week
47
4%
1
view
Carteret
Shackelford Banks- by restrooms
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Shackelford Banks- nun buoy #2
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Spoils Island off Salty Shores
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Taylor's Creek at post office dock
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
W side of mouth of South River
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
West end of Sugarloaf Island,
Morehead City
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Carteret
Western tip of Bird Shoals on
Rachel Carson Reserve
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Chowan
Chowan River Wildlife Ramp,
east side of Bridge
3
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Craven
Hancock Creek Dock At Wildlife
Ramp
3
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Craven
Mouth of Slocum Creek,north
Side Beach
3
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Craven
Neuse River- 200 yds. N of mouth
of North West Creek
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Craven
Neuse River- Flanner's Beach
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Craven
Neuse River- Great Neck Point
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Craven
Neuse River- Green Spring Swim
Area
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Craven
Neuse River- Pine Cliff
Recreation Area
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Craven
Neuse River- Union Point
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Currituck
100 yrds offshore in sound near
intersection of hwy 12 and
Albacore St. Corolla
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Currituck
AO- 2.8 miles N of Corolla Ramp
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Currituck
Corolla Lighthouse Beach Access
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Currituck
Corolla Ramp, end of paved Rd.
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Currituck
Corolla, Albacore St. Beach
Access
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Currituck
Currituck S Beach Access at Pine
island
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Currituck
Park on Woodhouse Dr. Grandy,
NC
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Currituck
Sound Park off Caratoke Hwy in
Point Harbor
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Currituck
Swimming area at end of SR
1142
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
1 1/2 Mi SW of RO Plant
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
1/4 Mi E of EMS Station
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
2Mi SW of Frisco Vol Fire Dept
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
3/4 miles N. of sound access
across from ramp #29
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
100 FT- North of Jennettes Pier
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
100 yrds ENE of Little Bridge,
Causeway, Nags Head
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
100 yrds offshore at Island Creek
Ct. - Avon, NC
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
100 yrds offshore at North
Holiday Rd. - Rodanthe
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
100 yrds offshore at Sunset Strip
Dr. - Frisco, NC
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
100 yrds. offshore of 7517 S. Va.
Dare Trail, Nags Head
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
500 yds. Offshore, 100 yrds. S of
E. side of Wright Memorial Bridge
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
500 yrds off Sandyridge Rd.Currituck Sd.
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
500 yrds off Spy Glass Rd.Currituck Sd.
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
750 yrds off Ocean Bay Blvd.Currituck Sd.
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
800 yrds off SR 1425
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
Bath House at Ocean Bay Dr
1
1/week
37
5%
13
view
Dare
Bath House on SR 1206
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Dare
Beach access 1 1/2 Mile N of
Kitty Hawk Pier
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Beach access at 3rd St
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Beach Access at Sportsman Dr.
1
1/week
36
3%
7
view
Dare
Beach access at Sprigtail Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Dare
Beach access S of Refuge offices
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Beach at Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Canadian Hole
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
Colingtpon Harbour swimming
beach
1
1/week
108
5%
15
view
Dare
Conch St beach access
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at Hollowell St
1
1/week
35
0%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at Lake Dr beach
access
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at Martin Street
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at MP 8 3/4
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at MP 10.5
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at MP 12.5
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at Oregon St
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Drain Pipe at S Nags
Head/Federal Park Border
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Federal Campground
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Frisco Bath House
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Hillcrest Dr. access
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Dare
Jockey's Ridge Soundside
Access
1
1/week
111
8%
16
view
Dare
Kitty Hawk Bay Wildlife Ramp In
Jet Ski Riding Area
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Dare
Nags Head Bath House
1
1/week
36
6%
9
view
Dare
New Inlet Sound Access
3
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Dare
Northernmost beach access
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Dare
Ocean Ramp #30
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Oregon Inlet Coastguard Station
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
Oregon Inlet Federal
Campground
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Dare
Ramp #23 and access
1
1/week
5
0%
0
view
Dare
Ramp #34 and access
1
1/week
12
0%
0
view
Dare
Ramp #38 and access
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Ramp #55 and Access
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Roanoke Sound, Dunube St D/P
South Nags Head
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Dare
S-turns' just N of Rodanthe
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Dare
Shallowbag Bay - Swim Platform
Manteo Bridge
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
Sound access across from ramp
#29
2
2/month
15
0%
0
view
Dare
Southeast side of Mann's Harbor
Bridge
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
The Swimming Hole
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Dare
Wanchese Seafood Industrial
Park
3
2/month
19
5%
0
view
Dare
Washington Baum Bridge boat
ramp
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Hyde
AO- 5 miles SW of Ocracoke
state ferry
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Hyde
Beach access by Airport Ramp
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Hyde
Federal Campground- Ocracoke
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Hyde
Ocracoke- 1st public access SW
of State Ferry
1
1/week
32
0%
0
view
Hyde
Swanquarter Bay- end of docks
on SR 1136
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Area behind the northern end of
Masonboro Island
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. Between Snyder and Seashore
Streets
1
1/week
99
0%
0
-
New
Hanover
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. Between Taylor and Bellamy
Streets
1
1/week
105
4%
2
-
New
Hanover
Banks Channel - Waynick blvd.
Approx. 150 yds N of Iula St.
1
1/week
102
3%
1
-
New
Hanover
Banks Channel, swimming beach
south of Coast Guard station
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
New
Hanover
Beach Access at Periwinkle Lane
in Carolina Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
New
Hanover
Cama Access, corner of Waynick
Blvd. and Sunset Ave (WB)
1
1/week
99
0%
0
-
New
Hanover
Cape Fear River, W. end of
Snows Cut
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Carolina Beach Inlet- N. end of
Carolina Beach
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Fort Fisher Beach State Park
access off Loggerhead Rd.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Fort Fisher- Beach Adjacent to
NCWRC Ramp
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
N. end of Wrightsville Beach at
public access #2 off Lumina Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Ocean Pier at K. Ave.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Ocean pier at Nathan St. and s.
Lumina Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Ocean pier at Salisbury St. public
access
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
New
Hanover
Public access at the Hanby
Beach Storm Drain
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
New
Hanover
Public Bch on Masonboro Sd end of Florida Ave in Carolina
Beach
2
2/month
20
0%
0
-
New
Hanover
Public beach access at Hemlet
Ave.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
New
Hanover
Stone Street Public Access Ocean side Wrightsville Beach
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
New
Hanover
Trails End Public Access on
Masonboro Loop
3
2/month
19
0%
0
-
New
Hanover
Vehicle Access, 600 yds. N.
Carolina Beach Pier at Dune
Mark
1
1/week
36
8%
1
-
Onslow
AO- ~1 mile S of Bogue Inlet
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Onslow
AO- ~2miles S of Brown's Inlet
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Onslow
Bogue Sd.- 1/2 mile S of Bear
Inlet, soundside
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Onslow
N. Topsail Bridge - Wildlife Ramp
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Onslow
N. Topsail, Emergency Vehicle
Access
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Onslow
New River at mouth of Southwest
Creek
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Onslow
New River, Wilson Park
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Onslow
Onslow Beach - Public access
~1/4 mile south of Onslow Beach
Bridge
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Onslow
Public Access, mouth of NE
Creek - New River
3
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Onslow
Public Access, North Topsail
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
Onslow
Regional public access at mile
marker 12 on New River Inlet Rd.
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Onslow
Regional public access at mile
marker 17 on New River Inlet Rd.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Onslow
Sanders Creek at Bear Creek
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Onslow
Sound side Bear Island
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Onslow
Stump Sound just east of Dixon
Point
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Onslow
Wards Shore- Bogue Sound
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Dawson Crk., 100 yds N of bridge
2
2/month
21
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Just E of the Mouth of Beard Ck
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Just E of Wilkinson Pt
2
2/month
20
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Kennals Beach
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Near mouth of Gatlin Crk
2
2/month
20
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Neuse River- end of state Rd
1310
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Pamlico
Public Beach S side of Dawson
Crk Bridge
2
2/month
21
0%
1
view
Pamlico
Public Beach SW Mouth of
Whittaker Creek N of Marker #3
2
2/month
19
0%
0
-
Pamlico
Vandemere Creek
2
2/month
19
0%
1
view
Pasquotank
Pasquotank River- E.C. Coast
Guard Station Beach
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Pender
ICW
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Pender
Public access #O-3 at mile
marker 3
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Pender
Public access #O-10 at Ocean
Blvd and Crews Ave.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Pender
Public access #S-1 at end of
Shoreline Dr. (soundside station)
1
1/week
34
3%
0
view
Pender
Public Access at Broadway St. &
N. Shore Dr.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pender
Public access at S. Shore Dr. and
Kinston Ave.
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Perquimans
Albemarle Sd. At end of Holiday
Lane Rd.
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Tyrell
Albemarle Sd. - Bull Bay
Swimming Area 4H Camp
3
2/month
19
0%
0
view
State Summary: Ohio
Ohio 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

1,278 (100%) unknown contamination sources
Ohio monitors 63 public and semipublic beaches along nearly 53 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. The
state's beachwater quality monitoring program is administered by the Ohio Department of Health
(ODH). The ODH contracted with the University of Toledo and Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer
district and four county health districts (Ottawa, Erie, Cuyahoga, and Lake) to conduct the monitoring
and notification program in 2012.
What Are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in Ohio?
Predictive Models
Ohio has been using a predictive model called "nowcast" at three of its Lake Erie beaches:
Huntington Beach and Edgewater State Park in Cuyahoga County and Maumee Bay State Park in
Lucas County. In 2012, the Lake County General Health District began using the nowcast model at
Mentor Headlands State Park Beach and Fairport Harbor Beach to test the validity of the model, but
did not use it to make advisory decisions.
The model relies on environmental factors including rainfall, turbidity, and/or wave height to
predict E. coli levels. Predictive models are useful because they allow advisories to be issued the
day that bacteria levels are suspected to be high. In contrast, when advisories are issued on the
basis of E. coli counts determined by culture methods, they are issued the day after standards are
exceeded because it generally takes 24 hours to obtain culture results. Many times, the culture
results of samples taken on the day a beach is placed under advisory reveal that the water quality
was actually acceptable on the day of the advisory.
In 2012 at Huntington and Edgewater State Park beaches, nowcast-based decisions about
notifications were more protective of public health than decisions based on bacterial monitoring in
2012. However, nowcast modeling at Mentor Headlands State Park Beach and Fairport Harbor
Beach in Lake County was not as protective because it produced a number of false negatives: the
model predicted bacterial counts under the state maximum, but bacterial monitoring showed that
there were actually exceedances. The inaccuracy of nowcasting at Mentor Headlands State Park
and Fairport Harbor may have been due to scattered, spotty storms throughout the summer and the
use of weather data from Ashtabula and Burke Lakefront Airport. In some cases, one of the data
locations received rain while neither of the Lake County beaches did. The nowcast model for this
area will be reviewed for the 2013 season.
The Erie County Health Department continued to develop models for three of its beaches in 2012.
The tested model performed well at Huron West (76.9% accuracy) and Vermilion West (82.7%
accuracy) but did not perform well as well Huron East (48.9% accuracy). The model will be updated
as continued testing determines which variables provide the most accurate results in 2013.
In 2012, Ohio reported 63 coastal beaches, 9 (14%) of which were assigned a monitoring frequency
of daily, 35 (56%) more than once a week, 17 (27%) once a week, and 2 (3%) were not assigned a
monitoring frequency. In 2012, 21% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state’s
exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Camp Perry in Ottawa County (70%), Arcadia
Beach in Cuyahoga County (57%), Lakeview Beach in Lorain County (52%), Bay View West in Erie
County (49%), Port Clinton (Deep\Lakeview) in Ottawa County (47%), Lakeshore Park in Ashtabula
County (44%), and Wagar Beach in Cuyahoga County (44%). Lorain County had the highest
exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (30%) followed by Cuyahoga (29%),
Ottawa (27%), Lucas, (22%), Erie (17%), Ashtabula (15%), and Lake (13%). NRDC considers all
if any.
What Are Ohio's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season generally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The state
recommends sampling practices, standards, and notification protocols and procedures to local
entities that participate in the beachwater quality monitoring program. Guidance recommends that
samples be taken in water that is 3 feet deep, 1 foot below the surface. For the most part, monitoring
is conducted in the area of the beach used most by the public. Beaches are prioritized for monitoring
on the basis of visitor use and water quality history, so beaches attracting the most visitors and/or
having a potential for contamination (Tier 1) are sampled the most frequently.
All of the Lake Erie beaches identified by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources are monitored
at least weekly, with the majority sampled at least four times a week. Many of the beaches in the
program are sampled daily or as frequently as laboratory availability will allow. The monitoring
frequency of these beaches does not increase after a bacterial exceedance has been found, but if
an exceedance is discovered at a beach that is monitored only once a week, resampling may be
conducted on the next business day.
1,278 from 1,072 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 1,259 days in 2010, 1,012 days in 2009,
and 783 days in 2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended
weeks or less, 97% (1,243) of closing/advisory days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels, and 3% (35) were preemptive, based on the results of computer modeling.
How Does Ohio Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Local jurisdictions have the authority to close beaches and to issue advisories. Beaches are rarely
closed because of elevated bacterial counts alone. Ohio uses an E. coli single-sample maximum
standard of 235 cfu/100 ml for beach advisory decisions. No geometric mean standard is applied
when making advisory decisions. The state recommends that local authorities issue advisories when
the bacterial standard is exceeded. Beachgoers can access advisory information on the Ohio Beach
Guard website.
There are no preemptive rainfall standards at beaches in Ohio, but beach managers may issue
preemptive rainfall advisories if they feel that rain has compromised water quality. Beach managers
may also restrict beach access because of sewage or other pollution spills, or because of any other
threat to public health.
Ohio 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Ashtabula Conneaut Township Park
1
4/week
58
5%
3
view
Ashtabula
Geneva State Park
1
4/week
58
3%
5
view
Ashtabula
Lakeshore Park
1
4/week
57
44%
46
view
Ashtabula
Walnut Beach
1
4/week
58
7%
8
view
Cuyahoga
Arcadia Beach
2
1/week
14
56%
55
view
Cuyahoga
Bay Park Beach
2
1/week
14
7%
7
view
County
Beach
Total
Samples
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Cuyahoga
Clarkwood Beach
2
1/week
14
28%
27
view
Cuyahoga
Clifton Beach
2
2/week
28
28%
28
-
Cuyahoga
Columbia Park Beach
2
1/week
14
28%
27
-
Cuyahoga
Edgecliff Beach
2
1/week
14
28%
27
view
Cuyahoga
Edgewater State Park
1
1/day
106
11%
15
view
Cuyahoga
Euclid State Park
1
1/day
105
40%
38
view
Cuyahoga
Huntington Beach
1
1/day
59
14%
20
view
Cuyahoga
Moss Point Beach
2
1/week
14
43%
39
view
Cuyahoga
Noble Beach
2
1/week
14
28%
28
-
Cuyahoga
Parklawn Beach
2
1/week
14
21%
20
view
Cuyahoga
Royal Acres Beach
2
1/week
14
28%
27
view
Cuyahoga
Shoreby Club Beach
2
1/week
14
21%
20
-
Cuyahoga
Shorehaven Beach
2
1/week
0
0%
0
-
Cuyahoga
Sims Beach
2
1/week
14
28%
27
-
Cuyahoga
Utopia Beach
2
1/week
14
43%
42
view
Cuyahoga
Villa Angela State Park
1
1/day
105
42%
40
view
Cuyahoga
Wagar Beach
2
1/week
16
44%
40
view
Erie
Battery Park
1
4/week
53
0%
0
-
Erie
Bay View East
1
4/week
54
26%
23
view
Erie
Bay View West
1
4/week
53
49%
53
view
Erie
Cedar Point Chausee
1
4/week
52
10%
5
view
Erie
Chappel Creek
1
4/week
52
8%
13
view
Erie
Cranberry Creek
1
4/week
51
6%
6
view
Erie
Crystal Rock
1
4/week
53
21%
17
-
Erie
Darby Creek
1
4/week
51
14%
14
view
Erie
Edson Creek
1
4/week
52
28%
29
view
Erie
Fichtel Creek
1
4/week
52
8%
9
view
Erie
Hoffman Ditch
1
4/week
52
10%
9
view
Erie
Huron River East
1
4/week
52
17%
19
view
Erie
Huron River West
1
4/week
52
19%
18
view
Erie
Kiwanis
1
4/week
53
19%
28
-
Erie
Lion's Park
1
4/week
50
18%
24
-
Erie
Old Womans Creek East
1
4/week
53
6%
3
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of
samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Erie
Old Womans Creek West
1
4/week
52
4%
5
view
Erie
Pickerel Creek
1
4/week
53
17%
18
view
Erie
Sawmill Creek
1
4/week
53
17%
15
view
Erie
Sherod Creek
1
4/week
52
25%
33
view
Erie
Showse Park
1
4/week
52
10%
11
-
Erie
Sugar Creek
1
4/week
52
13%
13
view
Erie
Vermilion River East
1
4/week
53
23%
18
view
Erie
Vermilion River West
1
4/week
53
19%
16
view
Erie
Whites Landing
1
4/week
53
40%
41
-
Lake
Fairport Harbor
1
1/day
108
17%
18
view
Lake
Headlands State Park (E)
1
1/day
103
13%
13
view
Lake
Headlands State Park (W)
1
1/day
101
11%
0
view
Lorain
Century Beach
1
1/day
56
16%
15
view
Lorain
Lakeview Beach
1
1/day
94
52%
53
view
Lorain
Miller Beach
no
data
4/week
55
7%
0
-
Lorain
Veteran's Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Lucas
Maumee Bay State Park
(ERIE)
1
4/week
55
22%
16
view
Ottawa
Camp Perry
1
1/week
23
70%
52
view
Ottawa
Catawba Island State
Park
1
1/week
15
13%
4
view
Ottawa
East Harbor State Park
1
4/week
46
28%
19
view
Ottawa
Kelleys Island State Park
1
1/week
12
8%
3
view
Ottawa
Lakeside Beach
1
4/week
46
0%
0
view
Ottawa
Port Clinton
(Deep\Lakeview)
1
4/week
47
47%
40
view
Ottawa
South Bass Island State
Park
1
1/week
11
0%
0
view
State Summary: Oregon
Oregon 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Oregon has 92 beaches lining 197 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. The state’s beachwater quality
monitoring program is administered by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Oregon?
Cannon Beach
The Ecola Court stormwater outfall, which flows in a stream across Cannon Beach in Clatsop
County before emptying into the ocean, has a history of elevated fecal indicator bacteria levels. This
is a popular location for children to play, and many adults use the outfall to wash sand off their feet
when they leave the beach. The city of Cannon Beach works with the Oregon Beach Monitoring
Program to test for enterococcus weekly. The city has also taken steps to better warn the public
about the potential health effects of contacting the water in the outfall, such as posting the weekly
test results online.
In 2012, Oregon reported 92 coastal beaches, of which 3 (3%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week and 12 (13%) every other week; 77 (84%) were not assigned a monitoring
frequency. In 2012, 2% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state’s daily
exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Nye Beach in Lincoln County (14%), Mill Beach
in Curry County (7%), and Rockaway Beach in Tillamook County (7%). Lincoln County had the
highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (6%), followed by Curry (4%),
Tillamook (2%), Coos (2%), and Clatsop (1%). There were no sample exceedances in Lane County.
What Are Oregon's Sampling Practices?
OHA, together with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), determines sampling
practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices throughout the state.
Samples are collected and processed by a DEQ employee who travels the coastline in a mobile lab.
Samples are collected at ankle to knee depth in the middle of typical bathing areas.
The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program monitors beaches with historically higher bacterial levels
and recreational use during the peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In alternate years at
the beginning of the peak season, OHA evaluates beaches and sample locations to determine
whether they will be monitored that season and the next; this ensures that high-priority beaches will
be monitored. This reevaluation occurred prior to the 2012 summer season. To determine which
beaches receive high priority for monitoring, the program evaluates the number of people recreating
in the water, previous water quality data, proximity to known and suspected pollution sources, and
public comments received on a draft list.
Due to a lack of human resources available to conduct sampling, Oregon was able to monitor only
16 beaches regularly during the 2012 summer season, a reduction from the 25 beaches that were
sampled in 2011.
Water samples are taken near known or potential pollution sources. For example, Oregon samples
freshwater inputs (creeks that flow across the beach) at many of its beaches, and these inputs are in
many cases more likely to exceed water quality standards than the beachwater itself. There are
typically three beachwater sampling stations per beach in addition to creek sampling stations, if any.
Additional marine samples are collected within 72 hours, of a monitored beachwater exceedence to
ensure the exceedence is not an anomaly. The program also conducts follow-up monitoring after
known sewage spills and major pollution events. States that monitor more frequently after
exceedances are found and after pollution events tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and
lower total closing/advisory days than if sampling frequency did not increase.
Total advisory days for 2 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 82% to 4 days in
2012 from 22 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 67 days in 2010, 106 days in 2009, and 86
days in 2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events
less, all 4 advisory days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
How Does Oregon Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
In Oregon, the public is guaranteed free and uninterrupted use of all beaches along the coastline;
therefore, beach advisories are issued but closings are not. Oregon uses a single-sample maximum
enterococcus standard of 158 cfu/100 ml for beach advisory decisions in marine waters. This
standard corresponds to the EPA’s standard for moderate full-body-contact recreation but is less
strict than the agency’s designated beach area standard of 104 cfu/100 ml. The geometric mean of
sampling results is calculated for tracking trends only, not for issuing advisories.
The state does not have preemptive standards for rainfall but does issue preemptive advisories after
a known sewage spill or major pollution event where the potential exists for bacteria indicator levels
to exceed the state standard.
Oregon beachgoers are notified when state water quality standards are exceeded through a 24-hour
beach advisory hotline information posted online and through targeted emails and GovDelivery
notifications. Additionally, press releases are sent to the media.
Oregon 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Clatsop
Arcadia State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Cannon Beach
1
1/week
59
2%
2
view
Clatsop
Del Rey Beach State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Fort Stevens State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Hug Point State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Indian Beach at Ecola State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Seaside Beach
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Sunset Beach State Rec Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Clatsop
Tolovana State Park Beach
1
1/week
56
0%
0
view
Coos
Bandon South Jetty County Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Coos
Bandon State Natural Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Coos
Bastendorf Beach
1
2/month
30
3%
0
view
Coos
Cape Arago State Park - North
Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Coos
Cape Arago State Park - South
Cove
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Coos
Seven Devils State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Coos
Sunset Bay State Park Beach
1
2/month
36
0%
0
view
Coos
Whiskey Run Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Arizona Beach State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Battle Rock State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Buena Vista Ocean Wayside
State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Bullards Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Cape Blanco State Park-Sixes
River Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Crissey Field State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Curry
Face Rock State Scenic
Viewpoint
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Gold Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Harris Beach State Park
1
2/month
30
3%
0
view
Curry
Hubbard Creek Beach
1
2/month
24
0%
0
view
Curry
Humbug Mountain State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Hunter Creek Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Mcvay Rock State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Meyers Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Mill Beach
1
2/month
27
7%
0
view
Curry
Nesika Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Ophir Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Otter Point State Recreation Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Paradise Point State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Pistol River State Scenic
Viewpoint
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Port Point Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Samuel H. Boardman State
Scenic Corridor - China Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Scenic Corridor - Lone Ranch
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Scenic Corridor - Whaleshead
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Sporthaven Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Douglas
Umpqua Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Baker Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Carl G. Washburne Memorial
State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Devils Elbow State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Florence North Jetty Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Heceta Beach
1
2/month
24
0%
0
view
Lane
Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State
Scenic Viewpoint
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Neptune Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Lane
Oregon Dunes National Rec Area
- Horsfall Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
- South Jetty
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
- Umpqua Dunes
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Rock Creek Campground Roosevelt Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lane
Stonefield Beach State
Recreation Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Agate Beach
1
2/month
15
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Alsea River Recreation Area
Beach
1
2/month
15
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Beachside State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Beverly Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
D River Beach
1
2/month
24
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Devils Punch Bowl State Natural
Area
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Driftwood Beach State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Fogarty Creek Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Gleneden Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Governor Patterson State Park
Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Lost Creek State Recreation Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Moolack Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Nelscott Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Nye Beach
1
2/month
36
14%
0
view
Lincoln
Ona Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Otter Rock Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Roads End Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Seal Rock State Recreation Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Siletz Bay Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Smelt Sands State Recreation
Site
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
South Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Tillicum Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Lincoln
Yachats Wayside Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Yaquina Bay State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Barview County Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Bob Straub State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook Cape Kiwanda State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Cape Lookout State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Cape Mears Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Manhattan Beach State Park
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Manzanita Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Nehalem Bay State Park Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Neskowin Beach
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook Oceanside Beach State Wayside
1
none
0
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Rockaway Beach
1
2/month
27
7%
2
view
Tillamook
Short Sand Beach
1
2/month
84
0%
0
view
Tillamook
Twin Rocks Beach
1
none
12
0%
0
view
State Summary: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Pennsylvania has 40 miles of Lake Erie coastline, all within Erie County. Under Pennsylvania law,
public swimming is allowed only at beaches operated by an individual or organization that has a
valid permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. There are eight miles of permitted public
bathing beaches, including nine beaches at Presque Isle State Park; one, Freeport Beach, in North
East Township; and one at Camp Fitch in Springfield Township. The coastal beach monitoring
program is administered by the Erie County Department of Health (ECDH).
Pennsylvania?
Predictive Models at Presque Isle
Presque Isle State Park is a very popular swimming area, with an estimated 4 million visitors
annually, the majority of whom visit the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 2004, the
ECDH began developing a predictive beachwater quality model for Presque Isle State Park based
on weather, known sewage discharges, storm events, and water currents. In 2012, the ECDH
continued to develop the predictive model in cooperation with the Regional Science Consortium
(RSC) at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Mercyhurst University, Penn State Behrend, and
Presque Isle State Park. The program uses historical data from sample monitoring and water quality
data from two water buoys off Presque Isle beaches, and considers weather conditions such as wind
direction and rainfall. To make decisions regarding precautionary advisories, the RSC conducts
quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses, a method that targets genetic sequences
found in enterococcus bacteria, allowing public health officials to issue same-day warnings for poor
beachwater quality.
In 2012, Pennsylvania reported 13 Lake Erie beaches, all of which were assigned a monitoring
frequency of twice a week. In 2012, 9% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the
state's daily maximum bacterial standard of 235 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest
percent exceedance rates of the state standard in 2012 were Beach 6 (14%), Mill Road Beaches
(12%), Beach 11 (11%), Beach 7 (Water Works Beach) (10%), and Barracks Beach (10%), all in
Erie County. NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating
the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken
outside the official beach season, if any.
What Are Pennsylvania's Sampling Practices?
Beachwater quality monitoring is conducted from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Practices are
regulated by the state, with permit holders allowed to monitor more frequently than the state requires
if they desire. Samples are collected in water that is approximately 30 inches deep, midway between
the surface and the bottom. By regulation, at least three samples of water are taken from each
beach at least once a week. Two samples are taken approximately 50 feet from each end of the
beach, and the third sample is taken in the center. Presque Isle State Park is monitored twice a
week due to high swimming use of the beaches there.
When a sample is found to exceed bacterial standards, beaches are resampled for three
consecutive days so officials will be able to lift advisories and/or restrictions as soon as possible.
States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found will tend to have higher percent
exceedances and lower total advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not
Total closing/advisory days for 8 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less more than doubled to
41 days in 2012 from 18 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 14 days in 2010, 34 days in 2009,
weeks or less, all closing/advisory days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels.
The dramatic increase in advisories is likely due to the increase in precautionary advisories from the
predictive modeling in place at Presque Isle.
How Does Pennsylvania Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Swimming advisories and restrictions, rather than beach closings, are issued at Pennsylvania's Lake
Erie beaches. If a single-sample E. coli count is between 235 and 1,000 cfu/100 ml, a swimming
advisory is issued. Swimming is permitted, but the public is informed that the E. colilevel exceeds
standards, and potential swimmers are advised about what precautions to take should they enter the
water. If a single-sample count is 1,000 cfu/100 ml or greater, a swimming restriction is posted and
swimming is prohibited. Three samples are taken per sampling event, and the results are averaged
before comparing them with the standards. Pennsylvania also uses a 5-sample, 30-day geometric
mean standard for E. coli of 126 cfu/100 ml to post restrictions. There is no protocol for delaying or
forgoing an advisory or restriction when bacterial standards are exceeded.
If rainfall exceeds 0.5 inch in a 24-hour period, Presque Isle State Park officials conduct a visual
analysis of the beaches, monitor conditions such as wind and current direction, and determine
whether a preemptive rain advisory should be issued. Beaches are also preemptively posted with
restrictions when there is a known sewage spill and when high waves and strong winds out of the
west are present.
Pennsylvania 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
County Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Erie
Barracks Beach
1
2/week
129
10%
9
view
Erie
Beach 1 East
1
2/week
114
6%
0
-
Erie
Beach 1 West
1
2/week
0
0%
0
-
Erie
Beach 1 West
Extension
1
2/week
0
0%
0
-
Erie
Beach 2
1
2/week
0
0%
0
view
Erie
Beach 6
1
2/week
132
14%
6
view
Erie
Beach 7 (Water Works
Beach)
1
2/week
117
10%
3
view
Erie
Beach 8 (Pettinato
Beach)
1
2/week
117
8%
4
view
Erie
Beach 9 (Pine Tree
Beach)
1
2/week
105
7%
2
view
Erie
Beach 10 (Bundy
Beach)
1
2/week
117
9%
5
view
Erie
Beach 11
1
2/week
126
11%
6
-
Erie
Freeport Beach
1
2/week
42
0%
0
view
Erie
Mill Road Beaches
1
2/week
120
12%
6
view
State Summary: Rhode Island
Rhode Island 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Rhode Island has more than 200 beach access points along about 400 miles of Atlantic Ocean and
Narragansett Bay waters. The Rhode Island Department of Health is responsible for beachwater
monitoring and water quality notifications.
What Are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in Rhode
Island?
Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement
Many urban areas across the U.S. have combined sewer systems, which carry both stormwater and
sewage in the same pipes. During heavy storms, the combined flows can exceed the capacity of the
sewer system and overflow into waterways. The Narragansett Bay Commission is currently in the
middle of a two-phase, multiyear combined sewer overflow (CSO) abatement program that will
create six miles of underground storage tunnels, five CSO interceptors, a wetland treatment system,
and sewer separation in 12 areas. When the program is complete, overflow volume will be reduced
by an expected 98% and water quality will dramatically improve.
The first phase of this multiyear project (the addition of a tunnel, associated station, and drop shafts)
was completed in 2008. Between 2008 and 2012, these improvements resulted in the treatment of
approximately 4.6 billion gallons of overflow and wastewater that would have polluted Narragansett
Bay. Construction for the second phase (two interceptors, two sewer separation projects, and a
wetlands facility) began in 2011 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2014.
Seaweed Harvesting and UV Stormwater Treatment at Easton's Beach
In the summer of 2009, Easton's Beach in Newport County began using a seaweed harvester to
remove excess seaweed from the beach in an effort to improve aesthetics and water quality. In
2012, approximately 64.35 tons of seaweed was removed. (Note that while piles of seaweed on the
beach can contribute to poor water quality, they may play a role in terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems, and their removal can have detrimental effects on local flora and fauna.)
Another undertaking to improve beachwater quality at Easton's Beach was the installation of an
ultraviolet treatment system for destroying bacteria in stormwater discharges to the beach from
Easton's Moat. The system, which began operating during the 2011 beach season, is activated
when there is more than 0.25 inch of rain in a 24-hour period.
Beachwater quality has improved over time at Easton Beach. In 2008, despite low precipitation, 32%
of samples taken at this beach exceeded water quality standards for fecal indicator bacteria. There
was more rain in 2009 than in 2008, yet the percentage of samples exceeding standards dropped to
20%. In 2012, just 3% of samples exceeded water quality standards.
Green Infrastructure and Sewage Overflow Reductions at Bristol Town Beach
Bristol Town Beach in Colt State Park implemented a number of changes to improve beachwater
quality, including green infrastructure techniques that allow stormwater to filter into the ground
instead of running off into the ocean. Six catch basins connected to bioswales have been installed to
intercept runoff from the park before it reaches the beach. Rainwater is filtered mechanically in the
catch basins, and then further filtered by vegetation in the bioswales. The bioswales also
significantly slow down the flow of rainwater, preventing surges of stormwater that may carry
bacteria and other contamination to the beach.
Also, the storm drain whose outfall is at the beach has been opened and restored so that when there
is stormwater flow from urban areas upstream of the beach, it follows a slow and winding path. This
helps clean the water carried to the ocean and allows time for some infiltration into the soil. The
park's parking lot has been resurfaced with permeable pavers, and bioretention swales and
specialized vegetation have been installed around the parking lot to absorb and filter any stormwater
that does run off.
In addition, there are plans to upgrade the sewage treatment plant near this beach and install
underground tanks that will store rainwater during heavy storms. With the modifications, rainwater
will be stored and released slowly to the sewage treatment plant when rainfall is not heavy and will
help prevent overflows of untreated or partially treated sewage during storms.
The parking lot at Bristol Town Beach in Colt State Park uses green infrastructure. (Walter Burke)
Urban Beach Initiative
All of the beaches north of Conimicut Point in Warwick and Nayatt Point in Barrington have been
unlicensed since 1999 because of ongoing water quality issues. Closures and advisories are never
issued at these beaches because only licensed beaches are considered to be "open." However, the
state specifically discourages swimming and other full-body water-contact activities north of
Conimicut Point and urges people to refrain from any contact with water north of Conimicut Point for
at least three days after heavy rainfall.
The Urban Beach Initiative was launched in 2010 in part to determine if there are areas in the upper
Narragansett Bay that are safe for swimming. The initiative's sampling, surveys, and remediation
efforts, undertaken in partnership with Save the Bay, continued into the 2012 beach season, and
results of these efforts will be submitted to EPA in October 2013. The state hopes that testing will
show that water quality has improved and can support swimming.
In 2012, Rhode Island reported 241 coastal beaches. Of these, 20 (8%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of more than once a week, 2 (1%) were monitored once a week, 14 (6%) every other
week, 42 (17%) once a month, and 163 (68%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012,
5% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard
of 104 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the state
standard in 2012 were Sabins Point–Center (26%) and Bold Point (18%) in Providence County; and
Grinells Beach (17%), Atlantic Beach Club (14%), Gooseberry Beach (11%), and Third Beach (11%)
in Newport County. Providence County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum
standard in 2012 (14%), followed by Newport (7%), Kent (6%), Bristol (4%), and Washington (3%).
What Are Rhode Island's Sampling Practices?
The regular monitoring season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Volunteer groups,
including the Surfrider Foundation, Clean Ocean Access, and Save the Bay assist with sampling
efforts throughout the year as well.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and/or the Department of Health
determine sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification protocols and practices
throughout the state. Samples are collected just below the surface in water that is approximately 3
feet deep. The water quality at all licensed marine beaches in the state is monitored. High priority for
more frequent monitoring is given to beaches with direct known sources of pollution (stormwater
outfalls, septic/sewer connections, high population density, nearby sewer plants) and high usage,
and to beaches that have exhibited poor water quality in the past.
Monitors focus on areas of greatest concern and aim to collect samples when high bacteria counts
are most likely to be present. The number of samples collected depends on the length of coastline
and the presence of physical barriers to circulation (jetties, groins, etc.) that can trap bacterial
contaminants near the shore.
If a beach is closed or placed under advisory, sampling is conducted daily until the water quality
meets standards and the beach is reopened. Extensive wet-weather sampling is conducted to
determine the reopening schedule for beaches under preemptive rainfall advisories. States that
monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found or after heavy rainfall will tend to have higher
percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling
schedule did not increase after an exceedance was found or after heavy rainfall.
events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. All 49 closing and advisory days in 2012
were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
How Does Rhode Island Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Rhode Island issues both beach closings (in response to bacterial contamination) and advisories
(due to rain). The state's coastal bathing water standard is a single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100
ml of enterococcus. No geometric mean standard is applied when determining whether to issue a
beach closing. Advisory information is posted at the beach and online.
The state's usual policy is to close a beach if sampling results exceed the standard. However, the
state health department considers several environmental factors before deciding whether to close a
beach because of bacterial contamination, including the presence of wildlife or seaweed, the number
of tides since the sample was collected, the history of sample results for that beach, and
rainfall.2 On occasion, if environmental factors do not suggest that fecal contamination is likely, the
beach may remain open while it is resampled.
If a known sewage discharge occurs in close proximity to a beach, officials immediately close the
beach without waiting for sampling results to confirm contamination. Scarborough State Beach and
Easton's Beach have preemptive rainfall standards and are closed when there is more than 1 inch of
rainfall in a 24-hour period. Easton's Beach may reopen within 12 hours of cessation of heavy rain if
water quality has shown to improve in that time period. These preemptive closure protocols are
proving to be effective, and the Department of Health is developing additional closure evaluations
based on rainfall. The Beach Monitoring Program generally recommends no water contact for three
days after heavy rainfall.
As noted above, the Department of Health discourages contact with water in Upper Narragansett
Bay, north of Conimicut Point, for at least three days after heavy rains because the water is directly
impacted by wastewater treatment facilities and/or storm drains in the area.
Rhode Island 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Bristol
Annawamscutt Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Baia Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Barrington Beach
1
2/week
104
2%
0
view
Bristol
Barrington Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Bristol
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Bristol Town Beach
1
2/week
76
7%
6
view
Bristol
Bristol Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Bristol Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Camp Crosby
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Bristol
Camp St. Dorothy
1
1/week
7
14%
5
view
Bristol
Hopeworth Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Juniper Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Latham Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Bristol
Rumstick Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Touisset Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Warren Town Beach
1
2/week
39
5%
0
view
Bristol
Warren Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bristol
Warren Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Curry
Mill Creek Beach
no
data
2/month
0
0%
0
-
Kent
Buttonwoods Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Cedar Tree Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Chepiwanoxet
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
City Park Beach
1
2/week
37
3%
1
view
Kent
Cole Farm Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Conimicut Point Beach
1
2/week
74
1%
2
view
Kent
Gaspee Point
3
none
63
8%
0
view
Kent
Goddard Memorial State
Park
1
2/week
121
9%
3
view
Kent
Longmeadow
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Mill Cove Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Oakland Beach
1
2/week
111
7%
2
view
Kent
Potowomut
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Rocky Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Warwick Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kent
Warwick Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Lincoln
Alsea Bay Beach
1
2/month
0
0%
0
-
Newport
Atlantic Beach Club
1
2/week
42
14%
3
view
Newport
Briggs Beach
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Newport
Collins Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Easton's Beach
1
2/week
104
3%
1
view
Newport
Easton's Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Elm Street Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Fogland Beach
2
2/month
30
10%
2
view
Newport
Fort Adams State Park
1
2/week
42
10%
3
view
Newport
Fort Getty
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Fort Weatherill
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Gooseberry Beach
3
1/month
18
11%
1
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Newport
Goosewing Beach
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Newport
Grinells Beach
3
2/month
24
17%
1
view
Newport
Hazard's Beach
3
1/month
10
0%
0
view
Newport
Island Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Jamestown Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
King Park Main Beach
3
2/week
55
9%
4
view
Newport
Kings Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Little Compton Unnamed
#1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#2
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Newport
#3
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Newport
#4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#5
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#6
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#7
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#8
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#9
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
#11
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Mackerel Cove Beach
2
1/month
21
5%
0
view
Newport
Marine Avenue Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Mccorrie Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Middletown Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Newport
Middletown Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Newport Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Newport
Newport Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Ochre Point (Ruggles)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Patience Island Unnamed
#1
3
2/month
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Peabodys Beach
2
2/week
33
6%
3
view
Newport
Portsmouth Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Portsmouth Unnamed
#10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Portsmouth Unnamed
#11
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Portsmouth Unnamed
#12
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Portsmouth Unnamed
#13
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Portsmouth Unnamed
#14
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #5
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #6
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #7
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Unnamed #8
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #9
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Prudence Island
Unnamed #11
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Rocky Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Newport
Sachuest Beach
2
2/month
34
3%
0
view
Newport
Sandy Point Beach
3
2/month
20
0%
0
view
Newport
Sapowet Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Seaside Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
South Shore Beach
3
1/month
14
0%
0
view
Newport
Spouting Rock Beach
Association
3
1/month
21
0%
0
view
Newport
Teddys Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Third Beach
1
2/week
82
11%
8
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #5
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #6
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #7
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #8
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #9
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Tiverton Unnamed #10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Vanzandt Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Newport
Warrens Point Beach
Club
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Newport
West Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
Bold Point
3
none
66
18%
0
view
Providence
Bullocks Neck
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
Cranston Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Providence
Cranston Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
Crescent Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
East Providence
Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
East Providence
Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
Fields Point-Center
no
data
2/week
22
9%
0
-
Providence
Rose Larisa Beach
no
data
2/week
71
8%
0
view
Providence
Sabins Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Providence
SABINS POINT - Center
no
data
2/week
23
26%
0
view
Washington
Alfies
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Andrea Hotel
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Atlantic Beach Casino
Resort
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Atlantic Beach Park
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Atlantic Pizza and Grill
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Ballards Inn
3
1/month
0
0%
0
view
Washington Block Island Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Block Island Unnamed
#10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#11
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#12
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Blue Shutters Beach
3
1/month
14
0%
0
view
Washington
Bonnet Shores Beach
Club
2
2/month
30
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Washington
Breezeway Inn
2
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Washington
Cafe Pasture Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Camp Fuller-YMCA
Beach
2
2/month
9
11%
0
view
Washington
Camp Grosvenor
1
2/week
34
6%
2
view
Washington
Capt Roger Wheeler
1
1/week
44
7%
0
view
Washington
Charlestown Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington Charlestown Breachway
3
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Washington Charlestown Town Beach
2
1/month
14
0%
0
view
Washington
Charlestown Unnamed
#1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Charlestown Unnamed
#2
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Washington
Deep Hole Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Dunes Club
3
2/month
36
0%
0
view
Washington
Dunes Park
3
1/month
8
0%
0
view
Washington
East Beach
3
1/month
9
0%
0
view
Washington
East Matunuck State
Beach
3
1/month
9
0%
0
view
Washington
Fred Benson Town
Beach
3
1/month
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Galilee Beach Club
Associat
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Washington
Greenhill
3
1/month
4
0%
0
view
Washington
Jims Trailer Park
2
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Kelly Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Matunuck Town Beach
3
1/month
21
0%
0
view
Washington
Misquamicut Club
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Washington
Misquamicut Fire District
Beach
3
1/month
21
0%
0
view
Washington Misquamicut State Beach
1
2/month
24
4%
0
view
Washington
Moonstone Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Napa Tree Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Narragansett Town
Beach
1
3/month
30
0%
0
view
Washington
Narragansett Unnamed
#1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Washington
#3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#5
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#6
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#7
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#8
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#9
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
#11
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Narragnasett Unnamed
#2
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Washington
North Kingstown Town
Beach
1
2/week
29
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #5
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #6
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #7
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #8
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #9
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #10
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #11
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #12
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
North Kingstown
Unnamed #13
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Ocean House
3
1/month
12
0%
0
view
Washington
Paddy's Beach
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Pleasant View Inn
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Plum Beach Club
2
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Washington
Quonochotaug Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Roy Carpenter's Beach
3
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Washington
Salty Brine Beach
3
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Washington
Sam's Beach
3
1/month
7
0%
0
view
Washington
Sandy Shore Motel
3
1/month
6
0%
0
view
Washington
Saunderstown Yacht
Club
2
2/month
10
0%
0
view
Washington
Scarborough State Beach
North
1
2/week
96
7%
1
view
Washington
Scarborough State Beach
South
1
2/week
64
8%
1
view
Washington
Seaside Beach Club
3
1/month
7
14%
0
view
Washington
South Kingstown
Unnamed #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
South Kingstown
Unnamed #2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
South Kingstown
Unnamed #3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
South Kingstown
Unnamed #4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
South Kingstown
Unnamed #5
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Surf Hotel
3
1/month
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Trustom Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Watch Hill Carousel
2
1/month
3
0%
0
view
Washington
Weekapaug Fire District
3
1/month
26
0%
0
view
Washington
Westerly Town BeachNew
3
1/month
8
0%
0
view
Washington
Westerly Town Beach-
3
1/month
15
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
Total
Samples
% of samples
exceeding
state
standards
Closing or
Advisory
days
View
Old
Washington
Westerly Unamed # 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Westerly Unamed # 2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Westerly Unamed # 3
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Westerly Unamed # 4
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Westquage Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Washington
Willow Dell Beach Club
3
1/month
11
9%
0
view
State Summary: South Carolina
South Carolina 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary



1 (9%) other, unspecified contamination sources
There are 63 beaches in South Carolina lining 180 miles of Atlantic coastline—102 miles on the
mainland coast and 78 miles on islands without bridges from the mainland's barrier islands or on
sandbars. The state's beachwater quality monitoring program is administered by the Department of
Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
What Are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in South
Carolina?
Using Deep Ocean Outfalls to Protect Swimmers in the Grand Strand
The Grand Strand is a stretch of beaches between Little River and and Georgetown. Some of the
Grand Strand communities have constructed stormwater outfalls that discharge further out in the
ocean instead of at the coast in order to limit beach erosion and reduce localized pollution
concentrations for swimmers. These projects, which cost millions of dollars per ocean outfall, have
created significant reductions in the amount of fecal indicator bacteria found in beachwater where
they have been implemented (7th Avenue South in North Myrtle Beach and Deep Head Swash in
Myrtle Beach). In 2011, Myrtle Beach completed construction of the latest ocean outfall, located at
4th Avenue North. This project combined nine existing stormwater drainage pipes that used to
discharge at the beach into one pipe that runs underneath the seabed and discharges into the
Atlantic Ocean more than 1,000 feet from shore.
NRDC encourages coastal communities to explore solutions that prevent stormwater runoff before it
occurs. The high cost of deep-ocean outfalls as a solution to beach erosion and beachwater quality
problems illustrates the importance of reducing stormwater runoff by implementing green
infrastructure wherever possible. In addition to improving beachwater quality, green infrastructure
does not transfer pollution to the ocean and has significant other benefits.
In 2012, South Carolina reported 63 coastal beaches. Of these, 1 (2%) was monitored more than
once a week, 6 (10%) were assigned a monitoring frequency of once a week, 16 (25%) every other
week, and 40 (63%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 11% of all reported beach
The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012
were Myrtle Beach State Park and Campgrounds (20%), Surfside Beach (19%), Myrtle Beach
(17%), and North Myrtle Beach (11%), all in Horry County. Horry County had the highest
exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (15%), followed by Beaufort (6%), Colleton
(2%), and Georgetown (1%). No samples taken at beaches in Charleston County exceeded the
standard. NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the
percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken
What Are South Carolina's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season in South Carolina runs from May 15 to October 15. The DHEC determines
monitoring locations, sampling practices, standards, and notification protocols, which are uniform
throughout the state. Samples are taken in water that is 20 to 40 inches deep, 12 inches below the
surface. A sanitary survey (a systematic investigation used to identify potential sources of human
sewage pollution) is conducted every time a beach is sampled. In South Carolina, beaches are
prioritized for inclusion in the monitoring program on the basis of level of use, water quality history,
and other applicable factors. Most of the highest-priority (Tier 1) beaches have stormwater outfalls.
Sampling is deliberately conducted at swashes and outfalls, where water quality is expected to be
poorest. Portions of beaches whose water quality has fallen below the standard are sampled daily.
States that monitor more frequently after an exceedance is found will tend to have higher percent
exceedance rates and lower total advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not
In addition to the DHEC monitoring, the city of Myrtle Beach uses Coastal Carolina University to
conduct year-round sampling at monitoring sites in the city. Thus, during the state's monitoring
season, these sites are monitored twice a week. Also, during the monitoring season, the county park
on Isle of Palms samples twice per month in addition to the DHEC's twice-a-month monitoring
schedule, so water at this beach, which has 9 sampling stations, is monitored four times per month.
Total closing/advisory days for 9 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less increased 10% to 11
days in 2012 from 10 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 4 days in 2010, 48 days in 2009, and
less, 100% (11) of closing/advisory days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels.
How Does South Carolina Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The beachwater quality monitoring program has the authority to issue advisories but not closings; in
South Carolina, only elected officials can close a beach. South Carolina applies a single-sample
maximum standard for enterococcus of 104 cfu/100 ml. No geometric mean standard is applied
when determining whether to issue a beach advisory.
The DHEC issues an advisory immediately when the enterococcus bacteria level is 500 cfu/100 ml
or higher. If the bacteria level is above 104 cfu/100 ml but below 500 cfu/100 ml, an additional
sample is collected. If the second sample is also above 104 cfu/100 ml, the department issues an
advisory. The advisory remains in place until samples show bacteria levels below the state standard.
Advisories include the area of the beach that is within 200 feet on either side of the monitoring
station where the exceedance occurred. Advisories are posted via signs at the beach,online, and
through a Twitter feed.
Most pipe outfalls and swashes in Horry County are under permanent rainfall advisory, with
permanent signs advising the public against swimming in the area of the stormwater outfall. This
type of standing advisory is not reported to EPA and is not included in NRDC's analysis.
South Carolina 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory
Days3
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
Total
Samples
% of samples
Closing or
exceeding
View
Advisory
state
days
standards
Beaufort
Fripp Island
2
2/month
46
2%
0
view
Beaufort
Harbor Island
2
2/month
33
9%
2
view
Beaufort
Hilton Head Island
2
2/month
158
6%
1
view
Beaufort
Hunting Island
2
2/month
50
6%
0
view
Charleston
Folly Beach
2
2/month
61
2%
0
view
Charleston
Isle of Palms
2
2/month
90
0%
0
view
Charleston
Kiawah Island
2
2/month
46
0%
0
view
Charleston
Seabrook Island
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Charleston
Sullivans Island
2
2/month
28
0%
0
view
Colleton
Edisto Island
2
2/month
135
2%
1
view
Georgetown
Debordieu Beach
2
2/month
19
0%
0
view
Georgetown Huntington Beach State Park
2
2/month
18
0%
0
view
Georgetown
Litchfield Beach
2
2/month
27
0%
0
view
Georgetown
Pawleys Island Beach
2
2/month
28
4%
0
view
Horry
Arcadia Beach
1
1/week
110
9%
0
view
Horry
Briarcliffe Acres Beach
1
1/week
45
9%
0
view
Horry
Garden City Beach
2
2/month
44
5%
3
view
Horry
Myrtle Beach
1
2/week
690
17%
0
view
Horry
Myrtle Beach State Park and
Campgrounds
1
1/week
90
20%
0
view
Horry
North Myrtle Beach
1
1/week
299
11%
4
view
Horry
Springmaid Beach
1
1/week
22
0%
0
view
County
Horry
Beach
Surfside Beach
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
1
1/week
Total
Samples
152
% of samples
Closing or
exceeding
View
Advisory
state
days
standards
19%
0
view
State Summary: Texas
Ranked 21st in Beachwater Quality (out of 30 states)
Texas 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary



3 (1%) wildlife
Texas has 169 public beaches. Out of approximately 2,500 miles of coastal, bay, and estuarine
shoreline in Texas, 336 miles are covered by the monitoring and notification program under the
BEACH Act. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) administers the Texas Beach Watch Program.
Texas?
New Sanitary Survey Program for Texas Beaches
The Texas Coastal Management Program is currently funding a project to create a standard sanitary
survey program to characterize and categorize Aransas and Nueces County beaches, and to assess
potential sources of pollution and predict water quality on the basis of existing data. The surveys will
allow coastal managers to make better-informed decisions regarding water quality, modeling, beach
categorization, and remediation plans to reduce potential health risks to the public. The project will
develop a standard sanitary survey tool for Texas beaches that will be available for all of the coastal
counties.
In 2012, Texas reported 169 coastal beaches. Of these, 62 (37%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week, and 107 (63%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 9% of
all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacterial standard of
104 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance in 2012 were PalaciosPalacios Pavilion in Matagorda County (33%); Cole Park (32%), Poenisch Park (32%), and Ropes
Park (31%) in Nueces County; Sargent Beach in Matagorda County (29%); Quintana in Brazoria
County (26%); University Beach in Nueces County (25%); Jetty Park in Matagorda County (24%);
Bryan Beach in Brazoria County (23%); and Laguna Shores in Nueces County (21%). Matagorda
County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (28%), followed by
Brazoria (14%), Harris (13%), Nueces (11%), Jefferson (9%), Aransas (8%), San Patricio (8%),
Galveston (5%), and Cameron (1%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without
What Are Texas's Sampling Practices?
Beaches are monitored year-round, with weekly monitoring from May to September for all monitored
beaches and during the month of March at some beaches to coincide with spring break.
The GLO determines sampling practices and locations and recommends that local government and
health departments issue beach advisories when the bacterial standard is exceeded. Samples are
generally collected about 1 foot below the surface in water that is knee-deep (2 feet deep) in an area
where people are engaging in recreational activity. If the majority of recreational activity occurs at a
depth significantly different from 2 feet, or if the 2-foot sampling depth is more than 50 meters from
shore, samples can be collected at the location of greatest swimmer activity. Recreational beach
segments used most frequently by the public and where health risks are the greatest are given
priority for monitoring.
If a sample exceeds standards, monitoring is conducted daily until standards are met. States that
rates and lower total closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling schedule did not
Texas relies primarily on federal BEACH Act funding for its beachwater monitoring and notification
program, but federal funds are periodically insufficient for meeting the goals of the program and are
supplemented with funding from the state.
445 days in 2012 from 291 days in 2011. In prior years, there were 704 days in 2010, 231 days in
2009, and 318 days in 2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2012.
elevated bacteria levels, less than 1% (1) were preemptive due to heavy rainfall, and less than 1%
(2) were preemptive to due known sewage spills or leaks.
How Does Texas Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
There are three levels of advisories in Texas. The lowest level occurs when enterococcus densities
are below 35 cfu/100 ml. A medium-level advisory occurs when enterococcus densities are between
35 cfu/100 ml and 104 cfu/100 ml, and a high-level advisory is issued, with swimming not
recommended, when the enterococcus density is greater than 104 cfu/100 ml. The public is notified
of all advisory levels through an interactive map of beaches and through email subscriptions on
the Texas Beach Watch website. Signs are posted at the beach (in English and Spanish) only for
high-level advisories. Only high-level advisory days are reported to the EPA and included in this
summary.
Texas does not have preemptive rainfall standards. In the case of a known sewage spill, the
decision to issue a preemptive closing or advisory would be made by local government.
Texas 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Aransas
12th Street
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Copano Bay Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Copano Bay State Fishing Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Copano Causeway - North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Copano Causeway - South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Goose Island State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Highway 188 @ Port Bay
North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Highway 188 @ Port Bay
South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Aransas
Rockport Beach Park
1
1/week
163
8%
11
view
Brazoria
Bryan Beach
1
1/week
48
23%
13
view
Brazoria
County Road 257A
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Brazoria
Follets Island
1
1/week
209
10%
8
view
Brazoria
Peach Point WMA
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Brazoria
Quintana
1
1/week
110
26%
18
view
Brazoria
San Luis Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Brazoria
Seidler's Landing
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Brazoria
Southwest Brazoria
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Brazoria
Surfside
1
1/week
339
12%
14
view
Brazoria
Swan Lake
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Bauer Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Bayfront Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Boggy Bayou ROW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Indianola Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
King Fisher Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Lighthouse Beach & Bird
Sanctuary
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Magnolia Beach Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Matagorda Island State Park Backside 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Calhoun
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Matagorda Island State Park Gulf
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Olivia Haterius Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Point Comfort City Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Port Alto Public Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Six Mile Road
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
State Highway 35
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Calhoun
Swan Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cameron
Access Point #3
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Cameron
Access Point #4
1
1/week
37
0%
0
view
Cameron
Andy Bowie Park
1
1/week
82
0%
0
view
Cameron
Atwood Park
1
1/week
82
0%
0
view
Cameron
Boca Chica State Park
1
1/week
244
0%
2
view
Cameron
Isla Blanca Park
1
1/week
83
1%
1
view
Cameron
N Cameron County - Bayside
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Cameron
Park Road 100 Bay Access #1
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Cameron
Park Road 100 Bay Access #2
1
1/week
43
2%
2
view
Cameron
South Padre Island (Town of
South Padre Island)
1
1/week
366
1%
3
view
Cameron
South Padre Island -North
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Cameron
South Padre Island Access
Point #6
1
1/week
81
0%
0
view
Chambers
Chambers County
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Chambers
McCollum Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
25th St.
1
1/week
184
3%
1
view
Galveston
45th St.
1
1/week
224
4%
5
view
Galveston
61st St.
1
1/week
148
3%
2
view
Galveston
Appfel Park
1
1/week
78
8%
3
view
Galveston
Caplen
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Caplen/Crystal Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Clara St.
1
1/week
149
3%
6
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Galveston
Crystal Beach - O'neill Road
1
1/week
39
8%
3
view
Galveston
Dellanera Park
1
1/week
78
5%
3
view
Galveston
East Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Erman Pilsner Boat Ramp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Frank Carmona Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Galveston Island State Park
1
1/week
83
11%
6
view
Galveston
Galveston Island State Park
Backside
1
1/week
40
10%
4
view
Galveston
Gilchrist East
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Gilchrist West
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Gulf Shores
1
1/week
73
1%
1
view
Galveston
Haney Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
High Island East
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
High Island West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Holiday
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Indian Beach
1
1/week
39
5%
2
view
Galveston
Pirates Beach
1
1/week
198
7%
6
view
Galveston
Port Bolivar - Rettilon Road
1
1/week
37
3%
1
view
Galveston
Rollover Pass East
1
1/week
149
3%
2
view
Galveston
Rollover Pass West
1
1/week
38
5%
2
view
Galveston
San Luis Pass
1
1/week
77
4%
2
view
Galveston
Seadrift
1
1/week
36
0%
0
view
Galveston
Skyline Drive
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Skyline Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Galveston
Spanish Grant/Bermuda
Beach
1
1/week
121
8%
6
view
Galveston
Stewart Beach
1
1/week
111
3%
1
view
Galveston
Texas City Dike
1
1/week
39
10%
4
view
Galveston
West End
1
1/week
111
3%
1
view
Galveston
West End Galveston - Jamaica
Beach
1
1/week
41
10%
4
view
Galveston
West End Galveston - Sea Isle
1
1/week
77
4%
2
view
Harris
Bayland Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Harris
Clear Lake Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Harris
Evergreen Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Harris
Lynchburg ROW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Harris
Miramar Street
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Harris
Pine Gully Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Harris
River Terrace Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Harris
Sylvan Beach Park
1
1/week
77
13%
11
view
Jefferson
McFaddin NWR
1
1/week
219
8%
4
view
Jefferson
Sea Rim State Park
1
1/week
157
11%
5
view
Kleberg
CR 1140 North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kleberg
CR 1140 South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kleberg
Kaufer-Hubert #1
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kleberg
Kaufer-Hubert #2
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kleberg
Kaufer-Hubert #3
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kleberg
North Padre Island
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kleberg
Riviera Beach Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
East Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
East Matagorda Peninsula
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
East Sargent Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
FM 1095
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
Foley Reserve Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
Jenson's Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
Jetty Park
1
1/week
199
24%
21
view
Matagorda
Lookout Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
Oyster Lake Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Matagorda
Palacios - Palacios Pavillion
1
1/week
123
33%
34
view
Matagorda
Sargent Beach
1
1/week
176
28%
26
view
Matagorda
South Bay Boat Ramp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Cole Park
1
1/week
213
32%
52
view
Nueces
Corpus Christi Beach - Main
1
1/week
180
8%
8
view
Nueces
Corpus Christi Beach - North
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Corpus Christi Beach - South
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Corpus Christi Marina
1
1/week
119
12%
12
view
Nueces
Doddridge Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Nueces
Emerald Beach
1
1/week
41
5%
3
view
Nueces
Hans & Pat Sutter Wildlife
Refuge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
JFK Causeway - NE
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
JFK Causeway - NW
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
JFK Causeway - SE
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
JFK Causeway - SW
1
1/week
39
13%
6
view
Nueces
JP Luby Park
1
1/week
159
4%
7
view
Nueces
Laguna Shores
1
1/week
43
21%
12
view
Nueces
Lighthouse Lakes Kayak Trail
#1
1
1/week
44
2%
1
view
Nueces
McGee Beach
1
1/week
77
8%
7
view
Nueces
Mustang Island
1
1/week
47
0%
0
view
Nueces
Mustang Island State Park
1
1/week
195
2%
3
view
Nueces
Mustang Island State Park Backside
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Ocean Drive - East
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Ocean Drive - West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Packery Channel Park
1
1/week
37
5%
1
view
Nueces
Padre Bali Park
1
1/week
329
5%
9
view
Nueces
Palmetto Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Philip Dimitt Municipal Fishing
Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Poenisch Park
1
1/week
57
32%
27
view
Nueces
Port Aransas - Jetty
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Port Aransas - South
1
1/week
74
3%
2
view
Nueces
Port Aransas Park
1
1/week
169
3%
7
view
Nueces
Port Street
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Redhead Pond WMA
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Roberts Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Ropes Park
1
1/week
108
31%
28
view
Nueces
SH 361 Row - NE
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
SH 361 Row - NW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
SH 361 Row - SE
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
SH 361 Row - SW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing or
View
Advisory
days
Nueces
SPI Drive - NE
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
SPI Drive - NW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
SPI Drive - SE
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
SPI Drive - SW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
Swantner Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Nueces
University Beach
1
1/week
63
25%
17
view
Refugio
TPWD Boat Ramp - Refugio
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San
Patricio
Highway 1069 ROW
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San
Patricio
Indian Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San
Patricio
Nueces Bay Causeway #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San
Patricio
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San
Patricio
3
1/week
39
8%
3
view
San
Patricio
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Willacy
Fred Stone Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Willacy
Mansfield Cut/County Line
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Willacy
Placement Area #8
3
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: Virginia
Virginia 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary

Virginia has 49 public beaches stretching along 70 miles of Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay waters.
The state’s beachwater quality monitoring program is administered by the Virginia Department of
Health (VDH).
Virginia Water Quality Challenges and Improvements
Beach monitoring has occurred at Norfolk and Virginia Beach since 1976. In the early 2000s,
Virginia expanded the beach monitoring program to include all major beaches in the state. The VDH
recognizes that contamination of beachwater due to sanitary sewer overflows, breaks in pipes, boat
discharges, stormwater runoff, and wildlife poses a risk to human health. The goal of the program is
to inform the public and protect recreational swimmers from contaminated water.
Since 2006, the VDH has partnered with Virginia Tech to help determine sources of pollution. When
an exceedance of the standard is detected, a sample is sent to Virginia Tech for microbial source
tracking analysis. Results are used to determine if the source of pollution is from humans, pets, or
wildlife. If a human source is detected in the samples, the VDH and Virginia Tech review the data
and collect additional samples if necessary to identify the source and notify the city or municipality.
This information helps the city or municipality make infrastructure changes that improve water
quality.
In 2012, Virginia reported 49 coastal beaches. Of these, 47 (96%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week, and 2 (4%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. One additional
beach, Assateague Island National Seashore, straddles Accomack County, Virginia, and Worcester
County, Maryland; it is monitored once a week by the state of Maryland. Although Marlyand
conducts the monitoring, the results for Assateague Island are included in this summary.
In 2012, 4% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state’s daily maximum bacterial
standard of 104 colonies/100 ml. The beaches with the highest percent exceedance rates of the
state daily maximum standard in 2012 were Fairview Beach in King George County (25%), Lesner
Bridge East in the city of Virginia Beach (17%), and 10th View Beach Access in the city of Norfolk
(9%). King George County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012
(25%), followed by Norfolk (5%), Newport News (5%), Accomack (4%), Virginia Beach (2%), and
Northampton (2%) counties. There were no exceedances at beaches monitored in Gloucester,
Hampton, Mathews, or York counties. NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without
What Are Virginia's Sampling Practices?
The monitoring season runs from mid-May through Labor Day, with some sites sampled through the
beginning of October. The VDH determines sampling practices, locations, standards, and notification
protocols and practices throughout the state. Samples are collected in water 0.5 meter deep, 0.3
meter from the surface.
Priority for monitoring is given to sampling sites that are in close proximity to wastewater outfalls,
sites that have high bather load, and sites where there is easy access to the beach. If a beach is
placed under advisory or closed, the water is resampled immediately (with a duplicate sample sent
for microbial source tracking analysis), and the monitoring frequency is increased until the water
meets state water quality standards and the beach is reopened. States that monitor more frequently
after an exceedance tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory
days than they would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an exceedance was found.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the VDH, including the Virginia Division of
Shellfish Sanitation, work together to regularly monitor the water, including shellfish-growing areas,
for the presence of harmful algal blooms and to conduct surveillance for human health effects.
days in 2012 from 69 days in 2011. For prior years, there were 81 days in 2010, 51 days in 2009, 29
days in 2008, 50 days in 2007, 43 days in 2006, and 42 days in 2005. In addition, there were no
extended or permanent events in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but
not more than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive
weeks. All closing and advisory days in 2012 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria
levels.
How Does Virginia Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The VDH has authority to issue advisories and to close beaches. Virginia’s water quality standard is
a single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml. No geometric mean standard is applied when making
closing and advisory decisions. If more than one sampling site at a beach exists, the average of the
results for all sampling sites is used to make closing and advisory decisions for that beach. If a
sample (or average of samples) exceeds the standard, an advisory is issued immediately and
environmental health specialists are sent to the site for resampling.
A swimming advisory sign is posted at the beach, and a press release is sent to the local newspaper
notifying the public that an exceedance of the state water quality standard has occurred.
Additionally, advisory information is updated on the VDH beach advisory website. The swimming
advisory remains in place until laboratory results show that bacteria levels have fallen below
Virginia’s water quality standard.
Virginia does not have preemptive rainfall standards, but closings and advisories may be considered
on the basis of events such as a harmful algal blooms, fish kills, oil spills, or sewage spills.
Virginia 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Accomack
Assateague Island National
Seashore
1
1/week
90
6%
0
-
Accomack
Guard Shore
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Gloucester
Gloucester Point Beach
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Hampton
Buckroe Beach
1
1/week
54
0%
0
view
Hampton
Fort Monroe
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Hampton
Salt Ponds
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
King George
Fairview Beach
1
1/week
60
25%
10
view
Mathews
Festival Beach
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
Newport
News
Anderson's Beach
1
1/week
17
0%
0
view
Newport
News
Hilton Beach
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Newport
News
Huntington Beach
1
1/week
35
6%
1
view
Newport
News
King/Lincoln Park
1
1/week
18
6%
1
view
Norfolk
5th Bay St., North End
1
1/week
23
0%
0
view
Norfolk
10th View, Behind Quality
Inn,1010 W Ocean View Ave
1
1/week
23
9%
1
view
Norfolk
13th View, North End
1
1/week
24
8%
1
view
Norfolk
21st Bay St., North End
Behind Ships Captain
Restaurant
1
1/week
23
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Capeview Ave., North End
1
1/week
23
0%
0
view
Norfolk
Captains Quarters
no
data
1/week
27
7%
1
view
Norfolk
East Community Beach, End
of East Ocean View Ave.
1
1/week
23
0%
0
view
Norfolk
North Community Beach
1
1/week
24
8%
1
view
Norfolk
Ocean View Park, East Side
of Parking Lot
1
1/week
26
8%
1
view
Norfolk
Sara Constance Park, East
End
1
1/week
24
8%
1
view
Northampton
Kiptopeke State Park
1
1/week
49
4%
0
view
Northampton
Town of Cape Charles Public
Beach
1
1/week
68
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Virginia
Beach
15th Street
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
28th Street
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
45th Street
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
63rd Street
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
78th Street
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Back Bay Beach
1
1/week
19
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Camp Pendleton
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Cape Henry Light House
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Virginia
Beach
Chesapeake Beach
1
1/week
20
5%
1
view
Virginia
Beach
Chick's Beach
1
1/week
20
5%
1
view
Virginia
Beach
Croatan
1
1/week
21
5%
1
view
Virginia
Beach
Dam Neck Middle
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Dam Neck North
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Dam Neck South
1
1/week
15
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
First Landing State Park
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Fort Story East
1
none
0
0%
0
-
Virginia
Beach
Fort Story South
1
1/week
2
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Fort Story West
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Lesner Bridge East
1
1/week
24
17%
4
view
Virginia
Beach
Little Island Beach North
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Little Island Beach South
1
1/week
21
5%
1
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Virginia
Beach
Sandbridge North
1
1/week
21
5%
1
view
Virginia
Beach
Sandbridge South
1
1/week
20
0%
0
view
Virginia
Beach
Sea Gate
1
1/week
21
5%
1
view
York
Yorktown Beach
1
1/week
34
0%
0
view
State Summary: Washington
Washington 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary




8 (5%) wildlife
Washington State has more than 1,300 publicly accessible beaches along the Pacific Ocean and
Puget Sound. The state's beach monitoring program is administered by the Washington State
Department of Ecology and the Washington State Department of Health's BEACH Program.
Washington?
Identifying Sources of Contamination at Wildcat Cove in Larrabee State Park
Larrabee State Park in Whatcom County is a popular site visited by local residents and tourists.
Enterococcus levels in water samples at Wildcat Cove, a beach within this state park, have been a
concern for years. On June 8, 2011, the Whatcom County Health Department issued a permanent
swimming advisory for Wildcat Cove.
Efforts have been under way since 2010 to pinpoint the sources of contamination at Wildcat Cove. In
2011, the BEACH Program received additional funding through the EPA's national estuary program
to allow further source identification work. Two streams flowing into the cove were found to have
high levels of enterococcus, and a hot spot for bacteria was discovered near a wetland area at the
campground bathroom facility. Park staff reported that their wastewater system had been recently
updated, and the septic systems at four nearby residences were dye-tested and found to be
functioning properly. The source of fecal indicator bacterial contamination at this beach is presumed
to be wildlife, as numerous raccoon feces have been observed in the wetland that drains into the two
enterococcus-laden streams that flow into the cove.
In 2012, Washington reported 1,534 coastal beaches, of which 62 (4%) were assigned a monitoring
frequency of once a week, 2 (<1%) twice a month, and 1 (<1%) less than once a month; 1,469
(96%) were not assigned a monitoring frequency. In 2012, 4% of all reported beach monitoring
Freeland County Park/Holmes Harbor in Island County (36%), Little Squalicum Park in Whatcom
County (35%), Bayview State Park in Skagit County (27%), Larrabee State Park, Wildcat Cove in
Whatcom County (26%), and Mukilteo Lighthouse Park in Snohomish County (24%). Snohomish
County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (7%) followed by
Pierce (3%), Kitsap (3%), King (2%), and Clallam (1%). There were no exceedances at beaches
sampled in Thurston, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties. NRDC considers all reported
samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the percent exceedance rates in this
analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official beach season, if
any.
What Are Washington's Sampling Practices?
The regular sampling season runs from a week before Memorial Day to Labor Day. The BEACH
Program and an interagency committee developed sampling procedures and selected monitoring
locations throughout the state. This group also selected which EPA water quality criteria to apply
throughout the state, developed a protocol for determining when to recommend to local jurisdictions
that a notification be issued, and established practices to be observed when a notification is issued.
Samples are taken in knee-deep water. Beaches are chosen for monitoring on the basis of use and
the presence of nearby fecal pollution sources such as sewage treatment plants, septic tanks, pet
waste, livestock waste, marine mammals, and shorebirds.
Local jurisdictions and volunteers monitor locations near freshwater and stormwater discharges that
transport bacteria into beachwater. If a beach is closed or placed under advisory, the monitoring
frequency is increased until the beach is reopened. States that monitor more frequently after an
advisory is issued will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total closing/advisory
days than they would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an exceedance was found.
Total closing/advisory days for 25 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less nearly tripled to 173
days in 2012 from 64 days in 2011. In prior years, there were 131 days in 2010, 48 days in 2009,
and 120 days in 2008. In addition, there was 1 extended event (59 days) and 8 permanent events
(2,727 days total) in 2012. Extended events are those in effect more than six weeks but not more
than 13 consecutive weeks; permanent events are in effect for more than 13 consecutive weeks. For
the 25 events lasting six consecutive weeks or less, 11% (19) of closing/advisory days were due to
monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels, and 89% (154) were preemptive due to known
sewage spills or leaks.
Wildcat Cove at Larrabee State Park in Whatcom County, Walker County Park in Mason County,
Edmonds Marina Beach South Dog Park in Snohomish County, Freeland County Park/Holmes
Harbor in Island County, Priest Point Park in Thurston County, and Oak Harbor City
Beach/Windjammer Park in Island County were under permanent advisory in 2012 because of
elevated seasonal geometric means in 2011 or historical bacteria issues. The BEACH Program also
recommended permanent advisories for Little Squalicum Park in Whatcom County in July 2012 due
to persistently high bacteria levels.
How Does Washington Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
The authority to close beaches and issue advisories (cautions) rests with local health jurisdictions,
and whether a notification is issued when the BEACH Program recommends one varies from county
to county. The BEACH Program applies the single-sample maximum enterococcus standard of 104
cfu/100 ml to determine whether to make an advisory recommendation. The state also recommends
that a permanent advisory be posted if a beach's seasonal geometric mean exceeds 35 cfu/100 ml
or when monitoring results indicate a chronic problem. Samples are taken from three locations at
each beach, and the bacterial count for the simultaneous samples is averaged before comparison
with the standard. Advisories and closures are posted on the Washington State BEACH
Program website, and signs are posted at the beach. Monitored beaches are rated green (open),
yellow (caution), and red (closed).
The state recommends that a closing be issued without resampling if a sampling event reveals
enterococcus levels greater than 276 cfu/100 ml. If enterococcus levels are greater than 104 but
below 276 cfu/100 ml, the state recommends that the beach be resampled, and if the resample
reveals enterococcus levels between 104 cfu/100 ml and 276 cfu/100 ml, the state recommends that
an advisory be issued. If the resample reveals enterococcus levels above 276 cfu/100 ml, the state
recommends a closure. The state recommends that beaches be posted immediately upon notice of
a sewage spill that poses a threat to the beach.
Washington has no preemptive rainfall advisory standards but advises the public to avoid water
contact for 48 hours after heavy rains.
Washington 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days3
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Clallam
Agate Bay, Beach 420
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Agate Bay, Beach 421
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Brandt Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Cape Flattery
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Cape Flattery Trail Lookout
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
City Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Clallam Bay Campground
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Clallam Bay County Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Clallam Bay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Clallam Bay Spit Community
Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Clallam Bay State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Clallam County Parcel
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Clallam
Cline Spit
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Cline Spit Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Cline Spit County Park
1
1/week
45
7%
0
view
Clallam
Crescent Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Diamond Point, Beach 410
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Dry Creek, Beach 414
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Dungeness Bay Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Dungeness National Wildlife
Refuge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Dungeness Recreation Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Dungeness Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
East Haven Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Clallam
Ediz Hook Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
First Beach, Neah Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Freshwater Bay Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Freshwater Bay, Beach 416
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Freshwater Bay, Beach 417
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Front Street Beach, East
1
1/week
144
1%
0
view
Clallam
Gibson Spit, Beach 411
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Highway 112 Waysides
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Clallam
Hobuck Beach
1
1/week
142
1%
0
view
Clallam
Hoko River, Beach 428
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Hollywood Beach
1
1/week
45
2%
7
view
Clallam
James Island, La Push
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Jamestown Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Jim Creek , Silver King Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
John Wayne Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
La Push First Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
La Push Marina #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
La Push Second Beach,
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Olympic National Park
Clallam
Larrabee State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Clallam
Lees Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Low Point Community Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Lyre River Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Mains Farm
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Makah Marina
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Mcdonnel Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Miller Peninsula State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Monterra Scenic Overlook
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Mora
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Clallam
Mouth Of Elwha River
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
N Sequim Bay Sp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Neah Bay Waterfront, East
(Dakwas Park Beach)
1
1/week
142
2%
8
view
Clallam
North Olympic National Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Old Town
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Olsen's Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Ozette Beach Access, Olympic
National Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Ozette Indian Reservation
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Ozette Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Panorama Vista County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Paridise Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Pillar Point County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Pillar Point, Beach 424
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Pillar Point, Beach 425
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Pioneer Memorial Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Pitship Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Point Of Arches, Olympic
National Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Port Angeles Boat Haven
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Port Angeles Ferry And
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Waterfront
Clallam
Port Angeles Waterfront Trail
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Port Williams Boat Launch
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Port Williams Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Quillayute River Shoreline
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Railroad Bridge Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Rialto Beach, Olympic National
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
S Pitship Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sail & Paddle Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Salt Creek Recreation Area
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Clallam
Seashore Conservation Area
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Second Beach, Neah Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sekiu Point, Beach 427
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sekiu Public Area
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sekiu River Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sekiu River, Beach 429a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sequim Bay Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sequim Bay State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Shi Shi Beach, Olympic
National Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Shipwreck Point Natural
Resource Conservation Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Shipwreck Point, Beach 429
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Slip Point, Beach 426
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Snow Creek Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Sooes Beach
1
1/week
139
0%
0
view
Clallam
South Diamond Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
South Sooes
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Striped Peak Recreation Area
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Striped Peak, Beach 419
no
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
data
Clallam
Sunny Shores Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Third Beach
1
1/week
78
0%
0
view
Clallam
Travis Spit, Beach 411a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Twin Rivers, Beach 422
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Twin Rivers, Beach 423
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Twin Rivers, Beach 423a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Valley Creek Estuary Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
W Kydaka Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Waadah Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Warmhouse Beach
1
1/week
48
0%
0
-
Clallam
West Boat Haven Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
West DNR 414
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
West Green Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
West Old Town
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Clallam
Whiskey Creek Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
9th Street Landing And
Rayonier Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
28th Street Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Bonge Road Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Bottle Beach State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Bottle Beach Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Bowerman Basin
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Cascade Land Conservancy
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Cascade Land Conservancy Aberdeen
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Chance A La Mer / Ocean
Shores Main Entrance
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
City Of Hoquiam, Moon Island
Road, Airport Way
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Grays
Harbor
Copalis Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Damon Point State Park,
Protection Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
DNR Grays Harbor County
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Grays
Harbor
Grayland Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Grayland Beach Access
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Grays Harbor Audubon
Society, Raft River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Grays Harbor Audubon,
Humptulips, Chenois Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Grays Harbor City
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Grenville Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Griffith-Priday State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Halfmoon Bay - City Of
Westport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Harms Field
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Hogsboack And Little
Hogsback
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Iron Springs
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Johns River Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Johns River, Wra Boatlaunch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Moclips, Sunset Beach, Pacfic
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
N Cape Elizabeth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean City Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean City State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean Lake Way Beach
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Grays
Harbor
Ocean Shores
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean Shores Bulkhead
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean Shores Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean Shores, Marina View
Drive Beach Access
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Ocean Shores, North Jetty
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Oyhut And Illahee Beach
Access
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Oyhut And Illahee Beach North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Oyhut State Wildlife Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Pacific Beach State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Pacific Beach, Ocean Groove,
Roosevelt Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Pacific Blvd Ocean Shores
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Point Grenville
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Point Grenville Islands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Port Of Grays Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Port of Grays Harbor Hoquiam
River
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Raft River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Roosevelt Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
S Cape Elizabeth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Sampson
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
South Bay Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
South Oyhut And Illahee
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Grays
Harbor
South Queets River, North Raft
River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
South Raft River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Southwest South Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Taholah, North Point Grenville
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Taholah, Quinault River Mouth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Taurus Blvd Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Tunnel Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Twin Harbors State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Unknown (BIDN 990013)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westhaven State Park, Half
Moon Bay
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westhaven State Park, South
Jetty
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westport - The Groynes
1
1/week
48
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westport Airport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westport Beaches
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westport Light State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Grays
Harbor
Westport Marina, Westhaven
Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Admiralty Bay, Beach 124a
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Island
Ala Spit County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Baby Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Beachcombers Community
Club Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Blowers Bluff
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Borgman Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Bush Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Bush Point - Sandpiper Rd End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Bush Point Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Bush Point, Beach 101
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Cama Beach State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Camano Island Country Club
Lagoon
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Camano Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Cavalero Beach County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Cavelaro Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Clinton Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Cornet Bay County Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Cornet Bay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Coupeville
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Coupeville Town Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Coupeville Wharf
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Cultus Bay Recreation Site
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Dave Mackie Memorial County
Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Deception Pass State Park
(island)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Deer Lagoon
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Double Bluff Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Driftwood Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Driftwood County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Island
Dugualla Bay Dike Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Dugualla Bay, DNR-145
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Dugualla Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
E East Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
East San De Fuca
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Ebey's Landing National
Historical Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
English Boom Park & Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Flintstone Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Fn Camano Head
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
FN Onamac Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Fort Casey State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Fort Casey State Park
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Fort Ebey State Park (dnr-140)
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Fox Trot Way Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Freeland County Park /
Holmes Harbor
1
1/week
44
36%
0 (365)
view
Island
FS Mabana
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Glendale Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Glendale, DNR-100
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Glendale, DNRr-99
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Grasser's Lagoon
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Harrington Lagoon
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Hastie Lake Road Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Hidden Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
High Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Holmes Harbor Private Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Indian Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Joseph Whidbey State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Keystone Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Keystone Spit State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Lagoon Point North (Westcliff
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Drive)
Island
Lagoon Point South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Langley Boat Harbor & Fishing
Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Langley Seawall Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Langley Waterfront Park, The
Inn At Langley
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Ledgewood Beach Access /
Admiralty Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Libbey Beach County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Limpet Lane Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Livingston Bay Beach
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Long Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Mabana
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Mabana Port District Beach
Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Madrona Beach, Camano
Island
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Maple Grove Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Mariner's Cove Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Monroe Landing, East
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Monroe Landing, West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Moran's Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Mutiny Bay Boat Launch (Road
End)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Mutiny Bay Vista
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
N Bush Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
N Onamac Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
N Point Partridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
N Randal Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
NE Cultus Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
North Penn Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Oak Harbor (Windjammer)
1
1/week
45
4%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Lagoon
Island
Oak Harbor City Beach
(Windjammer) Park
1
1/week
44
7%
0 (365)
view
Island
Oak Harbor City Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Oak Harbor City Park
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Onamac Point Reef
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Penn Cove / Madrona
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Penn Cove Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Phil Simon Memorial Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Pioneer Way East
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Possession Point Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Possession Point State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Rockaway Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
S Point Susan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
S Rocky Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
S Sandy Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
S Strawberry Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
S Useless Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
San De Fuca
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Saratoga Pass Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Scatchet Head / Cultus Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Scenic Avenue Rd End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Snatelum Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
South Ebey's Landing
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
South Whidbey State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Strawberry Point North, DNR
142
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Strawberry Point, DNRr-142
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Sunlight Beach Road End,
East
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Sunlight Beach Road End,
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
West
Island
Sunlight County Parcles
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Sunrise Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Sunset Beach Public Access
Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Tillicum Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Tillicum Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Town Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Town Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Useless Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Utsalady County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
W Beach Rd Public Beach
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
W Elgar Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
W Penn Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
W Penn Cove Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Whidbey Island Naval Air
Station
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Island
Winas Maylor Pt-East
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Island
Winas-Maylor Point - West
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Adelma Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Admirals Row Association
Parcel
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Admiralty Condo's
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Aladdin Motor Inn Beach
Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Bay Vista Condo's
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Bayview At Chevy Chase
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Beach 1, Olympic National
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Jefferson
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Beckett Point Fishermen's
Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Bolton Peninsula, Beach 56
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Bridgehaven Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Brinnon Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Brinnonwold
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Broad Spit
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Broad Spit, Coast
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Brown Point, Beach 57b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Camp Parsons Boy Scout
Brinnon Camp
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Cape George Colony Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Cape George, Beach 407
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Cape George, DNRr-409
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Case Shoal, Beach 59a
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Jefferson
Central Olympic National Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Chetzeomka Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Chimacum Creek Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Coast Dabob East
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Dabob Cove Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Discovery Bay Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Dosewallips State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Downtown Port Townsend
Business District
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Duckabush
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Duckabush Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
East Beach County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Jefferson
East Beach County Park,
Mystery Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Edgewater Condo's
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Fisherman's Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Flapjack Cove Tidelands,
Beach 54
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Jefferson
Fort Flagler State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Fort Worden State Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Gardiner Public Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
H.J. Carroll State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Jefferson
Hadlock Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Hadlock Lions Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Herb Beck Marina
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Hicks County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Hoh Indian Reservation
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Home Port Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
J.B. Pope Marina Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Jackson Cove, Beach 55
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Kala Point Beach Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Kalaloch Beach &
Campground, Olympic National
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Kinney Point, Beach 404a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
La Push Third Beach, Olympic
National Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Ludlow Bay Village Parcels
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Ludlow Beach Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Ludlow Beach Tracts #1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Marshall Add Community Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Mats Mats Bay Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Mystery Bay State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
N Tabook Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Norland Community Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Beach County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Jefferson
North Chetzeomka
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Mcdaniel Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Quilcene Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Quilicene Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Squamish Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Triton Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
North Triton Cove Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Northeast Quilcene Bay
Tidelands Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Northwest Maritime Center
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Northwest School Of Wooden
Boat Builders
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Oak Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Oak Bay County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Ocean Grove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Old Fort Townsend State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Pleasant Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Pleasant Harbor Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Pleasant Harbor State Marine
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Pleasant Tides
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Point Hudson Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Point Whitney Tidelands
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Hadlock Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Ludlow Associates
Parcels
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Ludlow Condos
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Ludlow Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Of Port Townsend
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Townsend Boat Haven
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Townsend Ferry Docks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Townsend North Pier and
Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Jefferson
Port Townsend Railroad
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Port Townsned Plaza
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Jefferson
Protection Island National
Wildlife Refuge
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Queets River Mouth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Quilcene Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Quilcene Bay Tidelands
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Right Smart Cove State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Ruby Beach, Olympic National
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Scow Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Se Dabob Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Seal Rock Campground
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Seamount Estates Community
Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Seven Sisters Beach, Point
Hannon
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Shine Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Snake And Colvos Rocks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Bay Community
Association Parcels
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Bay Master Association
Parcels
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Beach, Olympic National
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Indian Island County
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Mcdaniel Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Old Port Townsend
State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
South Tala Point Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Squamish Harbor, Beach 59
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Tabook Point, Beach 57
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Tala Shore
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
The Landing Condo's
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Toandos Tidelands State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Triton Cove State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
W Quilcene Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Jefferson
West Bay, Port Ludlow
Associates
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
West Fort Flagler Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
West Hood Canal Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Jefferson
Wolfe Property State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
1st Avenue South Bridge Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
16th Avenue West Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
20th Place Sw Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
30th St. Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
101 Avenue Sw Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
146th Avenue Sw Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Alki Beach Park
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
King
Alki Point Light Station
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Anthony's Home Port Public
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Arroyos Natural Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Ballard Elks Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Bell Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Boeing Creek Reef
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Burton Acres Church Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Burton Acres County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Camp Kilworth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Camp Sealth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Camp Sealth South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Carkeek Beach South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Carkeek Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
King
Colman Dock (Seattle Main
Terminal)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Cormorant Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Cove Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Dash Point State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Des Moines Fishing Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
King
Des Moines Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Des Moines Marina City Beach
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Diagonal St South Pacific
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Discovery Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
DNR - Seattle Art Museum
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Dockton County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Don Armeni Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Dumas Bay Park Wildlife
Sanctuary
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Duwamish Public Access,
Terminal 105
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Duwamish Waterway Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
East Vashon Island, Beach 85
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Elliot Bay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Elliot Bay Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Emma Schmitz Me-kwa Mooks
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Fauntleroy Ferry Dock
3
none
0
0%
4
view
King
Fern Cove Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Fidalgo Street Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Fisherman's Terminal
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Gilman Ave W End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Golden Gardens
1
1/week
45
7%
0
view
King
Harbor Island Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Harbor Marina Corporate
Center
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Harbor Vista Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Herrings House Park /
Terminal 107 Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Hiram M. Chittendon Locks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Jack Block Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Jack Perry Memorial Viewpoint
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
King
Lincoln Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
King
Lisabuela Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Lost Lake Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Lowman Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Magnolia Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Magnolia Tidelands Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Magnolia Tidelands Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Maury Island Marine Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Maury Island, Beach 83
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Myrtle Edwards Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Normandy Beach Park/Marine
View Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Northeast Vashon County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
NW 57th Street End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Pier 48 Viewpoint
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Pier 66, Seattle Bell Street Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Pier 69, Seattle
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Pier 69, Seattle Waterfront
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Piers 62 And 63
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Point Heyer 'Kvi' Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Point Robinson County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Portland St & 8th Ave. Road
End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Poverty Bay County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Quartermaster Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Quartermaster Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Redondo City Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Redondo County Park
1
1/week
45
4%
0
view
King
Richey Viewpoint
2
none
0
0%
8
view
King
Richmond Beach Saltwater
Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Saltwater State Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
King
Seacrest Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
King
Seahurst County Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
King
Seattle Aquarium
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Seattle Waterfront Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Shilshole Bay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Smith Cove Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
South 239th Beach Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Southeast Vashon Island,
Beach 79
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Southworth Ferry Dock,
Vashon Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Spring Beach County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW 98th St End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Andover St End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Brace Point Drive Road
End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Bronson Way End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Caroll St End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Lander St End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Spokane St A End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Spokane St B End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
SW Spokane St C End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Terminal 18 Public Access
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Terminal 115 Viewpoint
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Three Tree Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Three Tree Street Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Tramp Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Tramp Harbor Fishing Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Tramp Harbor Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
King
Vashon Beach Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
King
Vashon Highway Access Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
W Sheridan St End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Washington Street Boat
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
West Vashon Island, Beach 77
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
West Vashon Island, Beach 78
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
West Vashon Land Trust
3
none
0
0%
0
view
King
Zenith Overlook & Beach
Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
American Legion Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Anderson Landing Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Anderson Point County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Anna Smith Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Annapolis Public Access Area
3
none
0
0%
7
view
Kitsap
Arness County Park
1
1/week
18
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Aroydy Thai Cuisine
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Bachmann Park
3
none
0
0%
4
view
Kitsap
Bainbridge Condominiums
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Bainbridge Island Land Trust
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Blake Island State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Kitsap
Blake Island State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Blakely Harbor Park
3
none
0
0%
0 (59)
view
Kitsap
Bloedel Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Bremerton Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
15
view
Kitsap
Bremerton Waterfront Condos
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Bremerton Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Broom St Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Brownsville
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Brownsville Elementary School
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Brownsville Elementary School
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
North Parcel
Kitsap
Camp Indianola
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Chico Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Clearwater Creek Trail
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Colby Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Country Club Of Seattle
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Curley Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Dock St Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Dockside Sales And Service
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Driftwood Cove Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Dyes Inlet Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Eagle Harbor Condos
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Eagle Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park
1
1/week
45
11%
0
view
Kitsap
East Anderson Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
East Dyes Inlet County
Tideland Parcel
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
East Dyes State Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
East Hood Canal Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
East Indianola
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Eglon Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Evergreen Park
2
none
0
0%
15
view
Kitsap
Fairy Dell Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Fay Bainbridge State Park
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Kitsap
Ferncliff
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Fort Ward State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Foulweather Bluff, Beach 64
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Foulweather Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Front Street Dock
3
none
0
0%
15
view
Kitsap
Gamble Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Kitsap
Gilberton Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Gordon Dr Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Gowen Pl Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Grotle Dr Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Guillemot Cove Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Hansville, Beach 69
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Harborview Drive Trail
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Harbour Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Harper County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Harper Public Fishing Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Hawley Cove Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Hidden Cove Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Illahee Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Illahee Road Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Illahee State Park
1
1/week
48
6%
0
view
Kitsap
Indianola Dock
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Kitsap
Island Seniors Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Joel Pritchard Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Keyport Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Keyport County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Keyport Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kingston Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kingston Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kitsap County Colsolidated
Housing Authority
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kitsap County Fair Grounds
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kitsap Marina & Suldans
Boatworks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kitsap Memorial State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Kitsap Memorial State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Tidelands
Kitsap
Lafayette Ave Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Lala Cove Country Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Lents Landing
3
none
0
0%
19
view
Kitsap
Leslie Landing - Winslow Way
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Liberty Bay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Liberty Bay Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Liberty Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Lions Field
1
1/week
42
2%
19
view
Kitsap
Little Norway Boardwalk
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Lovell Avenue Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Lytle Road End - Community
Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Madrona Heights
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Madrona Point Subdivisions
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Manchester State Park
1
1/week
21
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Manette Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Manzanita Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Marine View Estates
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Miller Bay Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Miller Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Misery Point Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Mitchell Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Murden Cove, Blue Heron Hill
Homeowners
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
N Fletcher Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Nad Marine Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Nelson Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Nesika Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Net Shed Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
North Dyes Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
North Lebo
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Kitsap
North Murden Cove (State)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
North Oyster Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
North Skiff Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
North Wing Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Northeast Phinney Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Northwest Point White
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Ocean Drive Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Olalla Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Olalla Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Olalla Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Old Man House Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Olympic Terrace Water
Association Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Oyster Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Oyster Bay Plaza
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Oyster Plant Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Pebble Beach Rd End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Point No Point County Park,
DNR-68
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Point No Point Lighthouse Park
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Point White
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Point White Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Pomeroy Park - Manchester
Beach
1
1/week
45
4%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Madison Water Company
Open Space
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Madison Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Of Brownsville Marine
Park And Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Of Waterman Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Orchard Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Orchard Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Orchard Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Kitsap
Port Orchard Waterfront
Businesses
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Orchard Waterfront Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Orchard Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Port Washington Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Poulsbo Boat Launch And
Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Poulsbo Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
President Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Prospect Point Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Queen City Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Rich Passage Estates
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Richcove Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Rockaway Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Rocky Point
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Rolling Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Roosevelt Field
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Ross Point Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
S Agate Pass
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
S Driftwood Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Salisbury Point County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Salisbury Point County Park
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Sanwick Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Scenic Beach State Park
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Schel-chelb Estuary
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Seabeck Christian Conference
Center
1
1/week
39
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Seabeck Land Trust
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Seabold Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Seabold Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Seattle Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Seaview Terrace Homeowners
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Kitsap
Silverdale Waterfront Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Sinclair Inlet Wildlife Viewing
Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Skogen Lane Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Beach Condominiums
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Brownsville
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Colby
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Eagle Harbor Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Fay Bainbridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Murden Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Oyster Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Point Southworth
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Skiff Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Tekiu, DNR-40
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Warren Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
South Waterman Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Southeast Port Washington
Narrows
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Southwest Ostrich Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Southworth-Vashon Ferry
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Stavis Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Sun Day Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Sunny Cove Community Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Suquamish (Old Man House)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
T'chookwop Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Tacoma Christian
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Taylor Ave Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Tekiu Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Thorpe Road
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Tracyton Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
15
view
Kitsap
Tyee Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Beach
Tier
Kitsap
Ward Avenue Public Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Waterman Public Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
West Dyes Inlet
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
West Madrona Point
Subdivisions
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
West Point Jefferson
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
West Port Madison Park
Nature Preserve
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
West Wing Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Wharf St Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Wilson Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Winslow Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Winslow Wharf Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Woodland Drive Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Woodlawn Memorial Parl
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Wyndown Acres Community
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Wynn-Jones County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kitsap
Yacht Club Broiler Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Alderbrook Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Allyn Waterfront Park
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Mason
Allyn Waterfront Park
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Arcadia Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Belfair State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Cushman Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Dewatto Bay Beach 44b
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Dewatto Bay, Beach 44a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Eagle Creek Recreational
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
End Of Twanoh State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Fudge Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Mason
Grapeview
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Grapeview Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Grapeview Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hartstene Bridge Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hartstene Island Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hartstene Island, Beach 33
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hartstene Pointe
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hood Canal Girl Scout Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hood Canal Saltwater Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hood Canal, Beach 46
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hoodsport Hatchery
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hoodsport Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hoodsport, Beach 43 (N
Hoodsport Hatchery)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Hope Island (Mason Co.)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Jacoby's Shorecrest County
Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Jarrell Cove State Park
1
1/week
30
0%
0
view
Mason
Jarrell Cove, Beach 34
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Jorstad Creek Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Jorsted Creek Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Kennedy Creek Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Lilliwaup Public Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Lilliwaup Tidelands State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Little Skookum
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Lynch Cove / Hood Canal Land
Trust
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Main St Rd End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Manke Lumber Company
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Mason County - Unknown
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Mason
Mcmicken Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Mcmicken Island, Beach 25
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
N Case Inlet
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
North Bay Kayak Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
North Bay Res Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
North Bay Res Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
North Jorstad Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
North Oakland Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Northeast Case Inlet Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Northshore Dock and Boat
Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Northwest Case Inlet Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Oakland Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Oakland Bay & Chapman Cove no
Exclusive
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Mason
Oakland Bay Recreational
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Oakland Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Octopus Hole
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Olympia Yacht Club - Pickering
Passgae
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Olympic Beach Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Pirates Cove Country Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Port Of Allyn Public Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Port Of Allyn Public Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Potlatch State Park
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Mason
Potlatch State Park Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Reach Island Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Rendsland Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Seabrook Community Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Shelton Boat Launch And
Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Shorecrest (Jacoby) County
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Park
Mason
Skokomish Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
South Graham Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
South Jorsted Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
South Of Lilliwaup Tidelands
State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Squaxin Island State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Mason
Stretch Island Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Stretch Island, Beach 20
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Stretch Point State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Summer Tide Resort And
Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Timberlake Community Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Twanoh State Park
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Mason
Union Public Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Union River Wildlife Area
(Theler Area)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Mason
Walker County Park
1
none
0
0%
0 (365)
view
Pacific
10th Street Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Bay Avenue / Ocean Park
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Bay Center Boat Channel
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Bolstead Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Bone River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Bruceport County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Bush Pioneer Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Cape Disappointment Coast
Guard Station
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Cape Disappointment State
Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Cape Shoalwater
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Chinook County Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pacific
City Of South Bend Boat
Haven
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pacific
Cranberry Road Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Fort Columbia Historical State
Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pacific
Grayland Beach State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Hawks Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Highway 101 Bridge, South
Willipa
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Hines
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Holman
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Illwaco Marina
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pacific
Klipsan Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Leadbetter Point State Park
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Lewis and Clark Campsite
State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pacific
Lewis Unit, Willapa NWR
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Long Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Long Beach Boardwalk
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Long Island Unit, Willapa Nwr
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Loomis
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Loomis Lake
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Midway Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Nacotta Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Nahcotta Small Boat Basin
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Nemah
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Nemah Li
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Nemah River
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
North Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
North Cove Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
North Klipsan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
North River Public Fishing
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
North Willapa Bay - Cascade
Land Conservancy
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pacific
North Willapa National Wildlife
Refuge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Ocean Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Ocean Park North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Old Highway 105 Beach
Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Oysterville Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Pacific Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Pacific Pines State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Palix River Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Pioneer Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pacific
Rhodesia Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Riekkola Unit, Willapa NWR
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Sandy Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Seaview
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Seaview Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
South Bend Fishing Access
And Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
South Bend State Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
South Grayland Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
South Naselle River - State
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
South Nemah River - State
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Southeast Wilson Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Tokeland Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Tokeland Marina Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Warrenton Cannery Road
Beach Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Willapa Harbor Airport
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pacific
Willapa Landing
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pacific
Willapa National Wildlife
Refuge Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
36th Street NW Road End Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
182nd Avenue KPN Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pierce
All Saints Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Amsterdam Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Anderson Island Ferry Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Anderson Island, Beach 8
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Andrew Anderson's Marine
Park, North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Andrew Anderson's Marine
Park, South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Arrbella's Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Austin Estuary Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Berg Drive Road End Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Browns Point Lighthouse Park
1
1/week
48
2%
0
view
Pierce
Camp Coleman
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Camp Gallagher
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Camp Seymour
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Cedrona Cove Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Chambers Creek Properties
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Chinook Landing Marina
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Commencement Bay North
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Cromwell
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Cutts Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Dash Point County Park
1
1/week
48
8%
0
view
Pierce
Days Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pierce
Devils Head
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Devils Head, Beach 13
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Dickman Mill Park
3
none
0
0%
9
view
Pierce
Eagle Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
East Devils Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
East Ketron Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Fire Department # 5 Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Fireman's Park
no
none
0
0%
0
-
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
data
Pierce
Fort Lewis
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Fox Island Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Fox Island Bridge Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Fox Island Fishing Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Fox Island Yacht ClubCedrona Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Gig Harbor City Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Gig Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Gig Harbor Private Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Gig Harbor Waterfront
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Green Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Haley State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Hall Road End Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Hamilton Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Harbor Lights Restaurant
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Harborview Drive Road End
Viewpoint
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Herron Ferry Terminal -Main
Land
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Herron Island Ferry Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Home Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Hylebos Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Jack Hyde Park
3
none
0
0%
9
view
Pierce
Jerisich Park And City Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Joemma State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Johnnys Dock & Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Johnson South Sound
Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Kamas Drive Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Katie Downs Tavern
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Ketron Island Ferry
Terminal/dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Kopachuck State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Kpn Olman Vaugh Bay
Sandspit, Beach 18
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pierce
Lakebay School
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Longbranch Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Longbranch Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Luciano's Italian Restaurant
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Maple Hollow Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Memorial Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pierce
Murphy's Landing Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
N Amsterdam Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
N Fort Lewis
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
N Fox Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
N Green Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Narrows Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Narrows/Day Island Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
North Beach Dock, Herron
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
North Beach, Herron Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
North Pitt Pass
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
North Steilacoom Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
North Sunrise Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
North Taylor Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Northeast Narrows
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Northwest Gig Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Northwest Narrows
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Ocean Fish Co - Johnny's
Seafood
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Old Fox Island Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Old Fox Island Ferry Terminal
South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Old Town Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Ole & Charlie's Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Oro Bay / Young Life Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Owens Beach / Point Defiance
Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Pierce
Penrose Point State Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pierce
Pioneer Orchard Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Pierce
Pitt Passage, Beach 6
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Point Evans, Beach 36
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Point Fosdick, Beach 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Point Fosdick, Beach 1a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Puget Creek Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Purdy Sandspit County Park
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Pierce
Ram American Grill &
Fishhouse
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Randall Drive Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Ruston Way Waterfront Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
S Eagle Island, Anderson
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Salt Point / South Gordon Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Saltars Point Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Shenanigan's Restaurant
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Silver Cloud Inn/tacoma
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Solo Point Boat Launch
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Soundview Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Anderson Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Beach, Herron Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Filucy Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Hale Passage
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Maple Hollow
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Nearns Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Oro Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
South Otso Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Southeast Narrows
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Southwest Anderson Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Steilacoom Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Steilacoom Ferry Docks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Steilacoom Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Sunnyside Beach North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Pierce
Sunnyside Beach Park
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Pierce
Sunrise Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Tacoma Demolay Boys Camp
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Pierce
Taylor Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Taylor Bay, Beach 16
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Thea Foss City Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Thea Foss Waterway
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Thea's Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Titlow Park
1
1/week
48
4%
0
view
Pierce
Totem Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Treble Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Tyee Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Waterfront Dock / Ruston Way
1
1/week
45
9%
0
view
Pierce
Wauna Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Wauna, Beach 35
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Wauna, Beach 35a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
West Gig Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
West Horsehead Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
West Ketron Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
West Oro Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Westshore Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Windy Bluff
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Wollochet Bay - Tacoma Yacht
Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Wollochet Bay Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Wollochet Bay Estuary Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Pierce
Wyckoff Shoal, Beach 39
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
San Juan
4th Of July Beach, DNR 326
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Agate Beach County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Albert Jensen And Sons
Marine Repair
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Aleck Bay, Dnr-308
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
American Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Andrews Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Armitage Island, Beach 290
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Barnes Island, Beach 229
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Bartwood Lodge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Bay Head Yacht Basin And
Condominiums
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Bazalgette Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Beach Haven, Beach 238
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blackie Brady Memorial Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blakely Island Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blakely Island, Beach 290
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blakely Island, Beach 292
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blakely Island, Beach 292a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blind Bay DNR-260d
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Blind Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Broken Point, Beach 260a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Cactus Islands, Beach 353a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Cactus Islands, Beach 353b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Camp Orkila
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Canoe Island, Beach 296a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Cape St. Mary, Dnr-311
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Castle Island State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
San Juan
Cattle Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Cattle Point Lighthouse
Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Cattle Point, Beach 326a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Cayou Quay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Center Island Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Center Island, Beach 324a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Channel Vista Shore Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Clark Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Coon Island, Beach 245a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Crane Island, Beach 250a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Crane Island, Beach 250b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Deadman Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Decatur Island, Beach 319a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Decatur Island, Beach 323
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Decatur Island, Beach 324
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Decatur Island, Beach 325a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Decatur Shores Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Decatur Shores Community
Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Deer Harbor Preserve
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Deer Harbor, Beach 240b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Deer Harbor, Crane Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Deer Point, Beach 277
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Diamond Point, Beach 265
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
DNR-321
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
DNRr-299
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Doe Bay, Beach 281a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Doe Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Double Island, Beach 251
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Double Island, Beach 251a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Eagle Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Eagle Cove County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
East Sound, Beach 266
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Edwards Point Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
English Camp Historic Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Ewing Island, Beach 367a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Fish Creek Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Fisherman Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Fisherman Bay Preserve
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Fishery Point, Beach 363
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Fishing Bay Public Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Fishing Bay Waterfront Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Flat Point, Beach 295
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Flattop Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Flower Isle, Beach 266b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Freeman Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Friday Harbor Ferry Landing
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Friday Harbor Labs
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Frost Island, Beach 318
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Gibson's North Beach Inn
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Goose Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Griffin Bay Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Gull Rock
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Hankin Point, Beach 264
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Harney Channel, Beach 262
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Henry Island, Beach 339a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Hunter Bay County Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Hunter Bay, Beach 313
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Hunter Bay, Beach 313a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Hunter Bay, Beach 314
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Iceberg Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Indian Island, Beach 270a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Island Marine Center
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Jackson Beach County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
James Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Johns Island Lighthouse
Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Johns Island, Beach 356
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Johns Island, DNR 356
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Johns Point, Beach 307
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Jones Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Justice Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Justice Island, DNR-367c
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Kellett Bluff, Beach 341
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lime Kiln Point State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lindsey Memorial Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Little Patos Island, Beach 366a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Little Sucia
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Ferry Terminal
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Island Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Island Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
San Juan
Lopez Island, Beach 305
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Pass, Beach 312a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Rd End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Sound, Beach 315
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lopez Sound, Beach 317
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Lover's Cove, Beach 239
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mackaye Harbor Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Matia Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mcardle Bay, Dnr-309
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mcconnell Island, Beach 245
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mccracken Point, Beach 340
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mckaye Harbor, Beach 306
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mitchell Bay Islet
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Moran State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mosquito Pass, DNR 344
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mt. Shadows Homeowners
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mud Bay Dock Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Mud Bay Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Mud Bay, Beach P1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
N Blakely Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
N Spencer Spit
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Neck Point, Beach 259a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Neil Tarte Memorial County
Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
San Juan
North Beach Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
North Finger Island, Beach
367b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Northeast Stuart Island, Beach
356
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Northwest Decatur Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Northwest Mcconnell Island
Rock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Oak Island, Beach 257a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Obstruction Island Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Obstruction Pass Boat Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Obstruction Pass County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Obstruction Pass Recreation
Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Obstruction Pass, Beach 276
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Odlin County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Olga County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Olga Marine State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Orcas Island Ferry Terminal
Picnic Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Orcas Island Yacht Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Orcas Island, Beach 266b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Orcas Island, Beach 279
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Otis Perkins Day Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Patos Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Pear Point, Beach 332
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Point Colville
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Point Doughty Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Point Doughty, Beach 236
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Point Hammond, Beach 362
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Point Lawrence Recreation
Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Point Lawrence Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Point Thompson, Beach 234
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Pointer Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Pole Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Port Of Friday Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Posey Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
President's Channel, Beach
240
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Puffin Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Raccoon Point, Beach 233
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Ram Island, Dnr-312b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Reads Bay, Beach 319
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Reads Bay, Beach 325
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Resort At Deer Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Reuben Tarte County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Roche Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Roche Harbor Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Rock Point, Beach 303
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Rocky Bay, Beach 336
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Rosario Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Rosario, Beach 272
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
San Juan Channel, Beach 298
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
San Juan Channel, Beach 334
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
San Juan County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
San Juan Island, Beach 330
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
San Juan Preservation Trust,
Henry Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Stuart Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Waldron Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Sandy Point, Beach 364
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Satellite Island, Beach 358
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Sentinel Island Nature
Preserve
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shark Reef County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shark Reef, Beach 304
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Island County Park /
Indian Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Island County Park
Tidelands (DNRr-296)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Island County Pier
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Island, Beach 258
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Island, Beach 260c
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Island, DNR-260
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Shaw Landing
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Sheep Island, Beach 255a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Ship Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Sisters Islets
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Skull Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Smugglers Cove And Sunset
Point Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Smugglers Cove Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Snug Harbor Resort And
Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
South Finger Island, Beach
367c
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Southeast Stuart Island, Beach
356b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Spate Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
San Juan
Spencer Spit State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Sperry Road Access To Mud
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
Spieden Bluff, Beach 353
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Spieden Island, Beach 352
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Spieden Island, Beach 352a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Spring Passage, Beach 240a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Stuart Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Stuart Island, Beach 359
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Sucia Island State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Swirl Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Thatcher Pass, Beach 291
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Thatcher Pass, Beach 322
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Three Coves Community
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Trump Island, Beach 320
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Turn Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Turn Point Lighthouse
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Twin Rocks State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Upright Channel Recreation
Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Upright Head, Beach 294
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Victim Island, Beach 251b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Waldron Island Boat Launch,
DNR-361a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Waldron Island Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Waldron Island Preserve (Point no
Disney)
data
San Juan
Waldron Island, Beach 361
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Waldron Island, Beach 361a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Wasp Passage, Beach 259
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Watmough Bay
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Weeks Point Way Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
West Bay County Public Dock
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
West Beach Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
West Beach Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
San Juan
West Sound Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Willow Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
San Juan
Yellow Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Alexander / Delmar
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Anacortes Ferry Terminal
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Anacortes Marina Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Skagit
Bayview Boat Launch
1
<1/month
11
18%
0
view
Skagit
Bayview State Park
1
2/month
30
27%
0
view
Skagit
Boat Harbor, East Guemes
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Burrows Bay, Far North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Burrows Island East
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Burrows Island North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Burrows Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Burrows Island, Southeast
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Camp Kirby
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Cap Sante Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Cap Sante Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Clark Point, North Guemes
Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Community Of Christ Church
Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Cone Islands State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Cypress Head Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Cypress Head, Beach 209
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
(Skagit)
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Tidelands (Skagit)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Dewey Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Dirty Biter Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Skagit
Eagle Cliff, Beach 286
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Eagle Harbor, Beach 212a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Fidalgo Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Gilley Square Waterfront
Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Goat Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Guemes Island, Peach
Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Guemes Island, South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Hat Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Hope Island (Skagit County)
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Huckleberry Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Jensen Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Kiwanis Waterfront Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
La Conner Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Larrabee State Park, Clayton
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Lower Cap Sante Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
March Point Recreational
Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
March Point Recreational
Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Milltown Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
North Beach, Guemes Island
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
North Fork Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Northwest Island Marine Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Padilla Bay Dike Top Trail
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Padilla Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Pelican Beach Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Pioneer Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Quaker Cove Camp & Retreat
Center
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Rosario Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Skagit
Saddlebag Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Salmon Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Samish Island Recreation Area
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Seafarer Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Sharpe County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Similk Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Sinclair Island Dock
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Sinclair Island, Beach 213
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Sinclair Island, Beach 213a,
North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Sinclair Island, Beach 213a,
South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Skagit Island State Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Skyline Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Snee-Oosh Waterfront Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Skagit
South Shore Drive Road End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Strawberry Bay, Beach 287
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Strawberry Island Recreation
Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Swinomish Channel Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Swinomish Park and Public
Float
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Vendovi Island, Beach 214
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Washington Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Washington Street Public Dock
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Skagit
Young County Park North
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
10th St Marine Park & Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Brown Bay Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
City Park Edmonds Marina
Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Darlington Beach And
Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Darlington Beach North, Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Snohomish
Ebey Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Edmonds Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Edmonds Underwater Park
1
1/week
42
5%
0
view
Snohomish
Forest Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Harborview Drive
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Hat/Gedney Island Reef
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Howarth Park
1
1/week
39
10%
0
view
Snohomish
Howarth Park South
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Jetty Island
1
2/month
12
0%
8
view
Snohomish
Kayak Point County Park
1
1/week
45
2%
0
view
Snohomish
Leque Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Marina Beach Park, Edmonds
(No Dogs)
1
1/week
42
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Marina Beach, Edmonds (Dog
Park)
2
none
0
0%
0 (365)
view
Snohomish
Meadowdale County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Mission Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Mukilteo Fishing Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
1
1/week
42
24%
11
view
Snohomish
Mukilteo Park South, Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Nakeeta Beach South, Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Nakeeta Beach Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
North Marine View Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Norton Avenue Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Olympic Beach Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Olympic View Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Otter Island
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Park Avenue Street End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Picnic Point County Park
1
1/week
42
2%
0
view
Snohomish
Picnic Point North, Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Picnic Point South, Rail
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Snohomish
Port Of Everett Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Port Susan Bay Preserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Silver Cloud Pier
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area
Snohomish
Soundview Drive Nw Road
End
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
South Marine View Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
South Mulkiteo Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
South Terminal Viewpoint
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Spencer Island County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Totem Beach
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Snohomish
Tulalip Bay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Warm Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Warm Beach Church Camp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
Wells Point North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
West Pass Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Snohomish
West Pass Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
4th Ave Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
81st St. Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Bayview Market Public Access
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Beachcrest Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Boston Harbor Boat Ramp
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Boston Harbor Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Burfoot County Park
1
1/week
33
0%
0
view
Thurston
Buzz's Tavern
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Capitol Land Trust, South Eld
Inlet
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Carlyon Beach Country Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Evergreen State College
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Fiddlehead Marina
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Forest Bay Acres Community
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Frye Cove County Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Thurston
Green Park Community Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Hawks Prairie Estate
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Heritage Trail
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Highway 101 Bridge, Mud Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Highway 101 Bridge, Oyster
Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Hogam Bay Land Trust
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Luhrs Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Thurston
Martin Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Mud Bay Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Nisqually Habitat Management
Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Nisqually National Wildlife
Refuge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
North Point Landing
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Old Olympic Highway Bridge,
Oyster Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Olympia Country & Golf Club
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Percival Landing North
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Port Plaza / Visitor Morage
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Priest Point Park
2
none
0
0%
0 (365)
view
Thurston
Snug Harbor Community
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
South Budd Inlet Waterfront
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Southeast Budd Inlet
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Steamboat Island Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Swantown Marina
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Tamoshan Homeowners Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Thurston County Parcel (Indian
Rd)
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Tolmie State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Urquhart Street Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
West Bay Park
3
none
0
0%
0 (365)
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Thurston
Westbay Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Woodard Bay Natural Area
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Thurston
Woodward Bay Road Bridge
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Thurston
Zittel's Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Bay Beach & Tidelands
Access
1
1/week
45
13%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Bay Near Terrell Creek
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Bay Public Right of Way
1
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
2
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
3
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
5
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
6
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
7
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Bay State Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Bay Tidelands
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Bay Village
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Birch Point, Beach 372
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Blaine Harbor And Boat
Launch
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Blaine Rd. Bridge
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Boulevard Park / Bayview
Marine Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Bumstead Spit South, Beach
223a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Bumstead Spit, Beach 223
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Carter Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Chuckanut Community Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Chuckanut Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Chuckanut Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Clarks Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Whatcom
Cottonwood Beach County
Park
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Dakota Creek Shoreline
Access
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Devils Slide, Beach 220a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Drayton Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Drayton Harbor Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Drayton Harbor/whatcom Land
Trust
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Eliza Island
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Fish Point Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Jackson Road - Birch Bay
Public Right of Way 4
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Larrabee State Park
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Whatcom
Larrabee State Park, Wildcat
Cove
1
1/week
57
26%
0 (365)
view
Whatcom
Lighthouse Marine County
Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Lily Point Marine Reserve
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Little Squalicum Park
1
1/week
60
35%
0 (172)
view
Whatcom
Lummi Island Recreation Site
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Lummi Island, Beach 220
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Lummi Island, Beach 223b
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Lummi Rocks
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Maple Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Marine Drive Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Marine Park, Bellingham
1
1/week
45
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Monument Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Mud Bay, Chuckanut
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Padden Creek Lagoon
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Point Roberts Marina And
Resort
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Point Whitehorn
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Beach
Tier
Assigned
Monitoring
Frequency
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Whatcom
Point Whitehorn Marine
Reserve
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Ruby Street Road End
no
data
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Semiahmoo County Park
3
1/week
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Semiahmoo Resort & Marina
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Smugglers Cove North, Beach
221a
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Smugglers Cove Point, Beach
221
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
South Birch Point
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
South Drayton Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
South Semiahmoo Bay
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
South Side Boat Launch
no
data
none
0
0%
0
-
Whatcom
Squalicum Harbor
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Teddy Bear Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Wildcat Cove Tidelands
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Whatcom
Zuanich Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
State Summary: Wisconsin
Key Findings in Wisconsin
Wisconsin 2012 Beachwater Quality Summary


Wisconsin has 193 public beaches along 55 miles of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan coastline.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) coordinates the state's beach monitoring
program and administers BEACH Act grants.
What are the Water Quality Challenges and Improvements in
Wisconsin?
Racine's Beach Program Demonstrates Excellence
In June 2012, the city of Racine began using rapid molecular methods (quantitative polymerase
chain reaction, or qPCR) to determine whether to issue water quality notifications to swimmers at
North Beach and Zoo Beach. These are the first locations in the nation where beach management
decisions rely on DNA-based measurements of E. coli. Previously approved methods for
determining levels of fecal indicator bacteria in beachwater depend on the growth of bacteria
colonies in cultures and require 18 to 24 hours to produce results. The delay between sample
collection and results means swimmers do not know until the next day if the water they swam in was
contaminated. The delay can also mean that beaches remain under advisory or closed after water
quality has improved.
In addition to qPCR, Racine has also developed beach-specific models using the U.S. EPA's Virtual
Beach software program. Virtual Beach is a predictive model building tool that turns sanitary survey
data into estimations of fecal indicator bacteria concentrations. By using a "Nowcast" model in
conjunction with qPCR, Racine can consistently deliver same-day test results, generally within three
hours of sample collection. This work demonstrates that sanitary surveys not only are useful for
identifying pollution sources, but also support rapid analytical and decision-making tools.
Sanitary survey data have driven a variety of coastal remediation measures in Racine, including
construction of a wetland to manage stormwater, restoration of dunes to infiltrate runoff from
impervious surfaces, alterations in beach grooming techniques to reduce bacteria in beach sands,
and improved best management practices. The use of sanitary survey data for identifying pollution
sources has now gone upstream, as Racine officials use a modified version of this tool to assess
infrastructure integrity and tributary health. Working with the School of Freshwater Sciences at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to analyze stormwater samples for humanspecific Bacteroides markers, they have identified and remediated three sites where sanitary
sewage was infiltrating the storm sewer system. Sewage can enter storm drains when sewage lines
leak into the drains, when inadvertent cross-connections are made, or when toilets or other sewagerelated equipment in residences or commercial buildings are illegally connected to storm drains.
Stormwater Runoff Control Efforts Under Way in Kenosha
During heavy storms, bacteria carried by the Pike River contaminate water quality at three of the five
beaches in Kenosha. The city, in conjunction with the Racine Health Department, conducts
stormwater monitoring and microbial, chemical, and physical assessments within the Pike River
watershed in support of a watershed restoration plan that will improve beachwater quality. In 2012,
the city began reconfiguring a stormwater outfall at the beach in Pennoyer Park, and vegetated
swales that reduce the amount of stormwater runoff will be installed within the watershed. Residents
are also encouraged to install rain gardens in order to reduce the volume of stormwater that reaches
the beach.
Sanitary Surveys in Wisconsin
Thanks to projects funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, extensive sanitary surveys (with
special sampling studies if necessary) are also being conducted at all Lake Michigan and Lake
Superior beaches that are unmonitored or under-monitored as well as those whose waters are listed
as impaired. These cost-effective surveys identify pollution sources and in many cases also indicate
ways to eliminate them. In some cases the surveys provide information about environmental
conditions that can result in poor water quality; this can be useful for issuing preemptive closings at
beaches without waiting for monitoring data to reveal an exceedance of water quality standards. For
example, a sanitary survey may identify patterns of water currents that would be most likely to carry
contaminated water to a beach. Sanitary surveys can also reveal techniques for shaping a beach so
that Cladophora, a filamentous green alga that forms large mats and accumulates on beaches, is
deposited in a confined area where it can be more easily removed. The mats smell noxious as they
decay and also impact beachwater quality. They are associated with elevated fecal indicator bacteria
counts—partly because they provide an environment where indicator bacteria can grow, and partly
because they attract animals that deposit fecal material on the beach while feeding on the
invertebrates and insects living in the mats. Sanitary survey data are now being used to develop
beach redesign concept plans for the mitigation of identified pollution sources at 20 beaches on
Lakes Michigan and Superior. Mitigation of pollution sources will reduce the number of beach
advisories in Wisconsin.
User-friendly Tools to Implement Rapid Detection of Beach Conditions
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative also funded projects to make it possible for more beach
managers to use Nowcasting, a rapid method for predicting beach health conditions. Predictive
models are useful because they allow advisories to be issued the day that bacteria levels are
suspected to be high. In contrast, when advisories are issued on the basis of E. coli counts found
using culture methods, they are issued the day after standards are exceeded because it generally
takes 24 hours for culture results to be available. Moreover, many times, the culture results of
samples taken the day a beach is placed under advisory reveal that the water quality was
acceptable on the day of the advisory. The use of the Nowcast model should reduce the number of
days that beaches are closed unnecessarily when water quality is good, as well as the number of
days that beaches are left open when water quality is poor. Wisconsin has made Nowcasting a
priority and worked to develop user-friendly tools to support it as a way to be effective in using the
limited funds available for sampling while increasing the public notifications of beach condtions.
These tools are linked to Wisconsin's Beach Health website, which, in turn is connected to
the BeachCast mobile application developed by the Great Lakes Commission.
In 2012, Wisconsin reported 193 coastal beaches, 59 (31%) of which were assigned a monitoring
frequency of more than once a week and 58 (30%) once a week; 76 (39%) were not assigned a
monitoring frequency. In 2012, 14% of all reported beach monitoring samples exceeded the state's
exceedance rates of the daily maximum standard in 2012 were Wisconsin Point Beach 2 in Douglas
County (64%); Bender Beach (48%) and South Shore Beach (43%) in Milwaukee County; Cedar
Beach Road Beach (37%) and County Road D Boat Launch Beach (37%) in Ozaukee County;
Kohler Andrae State Park North Picnic Beach (36%) and Kohler Andrae State Park South Picnic
Beach (36%) in Sheboygan County; and Wisconsin Point Beach 3 in Douglas County (35%).
Douglas County had the highest exceedance rate of the daily maximum standard in 2012 (29%),
followed by Ozaukee (26%), Milwaukee (23%), Kenosha (20%), Sheboygan (17%), Manitowoc
(16%), Ashland (13%), Iron (11%), Brown (9%), Kewaunee (8%), Racine (7%), Bayfield (5%), and
Door (4%). NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating
the percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken
What Are Wisconsin's Sampling Practices?
Most Lake Michigan beaches are monitored from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
weekend; monitoring at most Lake Superior beaches begins in late June. Local health departments
conduct the water quality monitoring. Samples are taken in knee-deep water, 6 to 12 inches below
the surface. Great Lakes beaches are assigned high, medium, and low priority for monitoring based
on the potential for impacts from stormwater runoff, beach usage and population density, waterfowl
loads, and the proximity of wastewater treatment outfalls and farms.
Additional sampling is required after heavy rain or other major pollution events,3 and beaches are
resampled immediately when an advisory or closing is issued. States that monitor more frequently
after an exceedance is found will tend to have higher percent exceedance rates and lower total
closing/advisory days than they would if their sampling frequency did not increase after an
696 days in 2012 from 654 days in 2011. In prior years, there were 735 days in 2010, 401 days in
2009, and 883 days in 2008. In addition, there were no extended or permanent events in 2011.
elevated bacteria levels, 6% (40) were preemptive due to heavy rainfall, 5% (37) were preemptive
due to weather that did not allow resampling to lift a contamination advisory already in place, and
<1% (3) were preemptive based on the results of computer modeling.
How Does Wisconsin Determine When to Warn Visitors About
Swimming?
Wisconsin issues both closings and advisories. A beachwater sample with 236 to 999 cfu/100 ml
of E. coli generally results in an advisory, and a sample equal to or greater than 1,000 cfu/100 ml
of E. coli generally results in a closing.3 The geometric mean standard of 126 cfu/100 ml for at least
5 samples collected over a 30-day period may also be used to make closing and advisory decisions
at high-priority beaches. Some counties with longer beaches combine multiple samples along the
beach before analyzing for bacteria; others take an average value of multiple samples analyzed
separately and make closing and advisory decisions for the entire beach based on the composite or
average results.
At the discretion of local beach managers, some beaches are closed or placed under advisory after
rainfall exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 1 inch of precipitation in a 24-hour period. In
some locations preemptive advisories or closures are issued after sewer or stormwater overflows or
incidences of reported illnesses.
Milwaukee uses predictive models in addition to monitoring to determine advisories for a few of its
beaches. Ozaukee County uses a Nowcast model (developed using EPA's Virtual Beach software)
at Upper Lake Park Beach, and in 2012 Racine County also received approval to use the Nowcast
model. In those counties, an advisory may be based on evaluation of the results of the rapid
detection methods. If a Nowcast indicates that an advisory is necessary and conditions change
during the day, the public health official may analyze additional samples collected later in the day
and change the status of the beach on the same day.4
Wisconsin 2012 Monitoring Results and Closing/Advisory Days
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Ashland
Bayview Park Beach
2
2/week
29
3%
1
view
Ashland
Big Bay State Park Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Ashland
Big Bay Town Park Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Ashland
Casper Road Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Ashland
Kreher Park Beach
2
4/week
55
9%
5
view
Ashland
La Pointe Memorial Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Ashland
Maslowski Beaches
2
4/week
62
32%
20
view
Bayfield
Bark Bay Beaches
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Bono Creek Boat Launch Beach
3
1/week
19
21%
4
view
Bayfield
Broad Street Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Herbster Beach
3
1/week
15
7%
2
view
Bayfield
Highway 13 Wayside Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Little Sand Bay Beach
3
1/week
9
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Memorial Beach Bayfield
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Memorial Park Beach Washburn
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Port Wing Beach East
3
1/week
18
22%
5
view
Bayfield
Port Wing Beach West
3
1/week
15
7%
1
view
Bayfield
River Loop Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Sioux River Beach North
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Sioux River Beach South
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Siskiwit Bay Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Thompson West End Park
Beach
3
1/week
55
7%
4
view
Bayfield
Washburn Marina Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Washburn Walking Trail Beach /
BAB Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Washington Avenue Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Bayfield
Wikdal Memorial Boat Launch
Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Brown
Bay Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Brown
Bayshore Park Beach
3
1/week
21
10%
2
view
Brown
Communiversity Park Beach
3
1/week
21
19%
4
view
Brown
Joliet Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Brown
Longtail Beach
3
1/week
23
0%
0
view
Brown
Riverside Drive Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Brown
Town of Scott Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Brown
Van Lanen Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Brown
Volk's Landing Boat Launch
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Anclam Park Beach
2
2/week
30
3%
5
view
Door
Arrowhead Lane Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Baileys Harbor Ridges Park
Beach
1
4/week
56
5%
3
view
Door
Bittersweet Lane Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Braunsdorf Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Chippewa Drive Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Clay Banks Beach 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Clay Banks Beach 2
3
1/week
27
4%
1
view
Door
Cliff View Drive Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
County TT Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Deer Path Lane Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Egg Harbor Beach
1
4/week
55
7%
5
view
Door
Ellison Bay Town Park Beach
1
4/week
54
0%
0
view
Door
Ephraim Beach
1
4/week
55
4%
6
view
Door
Europe Bay Beach 1
2
2/week
29
3%
1
view
Door
Europe Bay Beach 2
2
2/week
27
0%
0
view
Door
Europe Bay Beach 3
2
2/week
27
0%
0
view
Door
Fish Creek Beach
1
4/week
56
7%
7
view
Door
Garrett Bay Boat Launch Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Gislason Beach
3
1/week
15
7%
2
view
Door
Goldenrod Lane Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Haines Park Beach
2
2/week
28
4%
1
view
Door
Hemlock Lane Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Isle View Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Jackson Harbor Ridges - WI
3
1/week
9
11%
2
view
Door
Kickapoo Drive Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Lakeshore Drive Beach Door
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Door
Lakeside Park Beach
2
2/week
31
10%
6
view
Door
Lily Bay Boat Launch Beach
3
1/week
14
7%
1
view
Door
Murphy Park Beach
1
4/week
55
4%
2
view
Door
Newport Bay Beach
1
4/week
54
2%
1
view
Door
Nicolet Beach
1
4/week
54
0%
0
view
Door
Otumba Park Beach
1
4/week
53
11%
8
view
Door
Pebble Beach Road Beach 1
Door
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Percy Johnson Memorial Park
Beach
3
1/week
4
25%
1
view
Door
Portage Park Beach
2
2/week
28
7%
2
view
Door
Potawatomi State Park Beach 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Potawatomi State Park Beach 2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Rock Island State Park Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Door
Sand Bay Beach 1
2
2/week
27
0%
0
view
Door
Sand Bay Beach 2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Sand Cove
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Sand Dune Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Door
Sandy Bay Town Park Beach
2
2/week
27
0%
0
view
Door
School House Beach
3
1/week
15
7%
2
view
Door
Sister Bay Beach
1
4/week
53
2%
1
view
Door
Sturgeon Bay Canal Recreation
Area Beach
2
2/week
29
10%
3
view
Door
Sunset Beach Fish Creek
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Sunset Park Beach Sturgeon
Bay
1
4/week
54
4%
2
view
Door
White Pine Lane Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Door
Whitefish Bay Boat Launch
Beach
3
1/week
14
0%
0
view
Door
Whitefish Dunes Beach
1
4/week
54
2%
1
view
Door
Winnebago Drive Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Douglas
Allouez Bay Beach 1
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Douglas
Allouez Bay Beach 2
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Douglas
Allouez Bay Beach 3
3
1/week
21
33%
7
view
Douglas
Amnicon River Beach
3
1/week
17
18%
3
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Douglas
Barker's Island Inner Beach
2
2/week
51
24%
13
view
Douglas
Barker's Island Outer Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Douglas
Brule River State Forest Beach
1
3
1/week
18
22%
4
view
Douglas
2
3
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Douglas
3
3
1/week
18
17%
3
view
Douglas
Conners Point Beaches
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Douglas
Middle River Beach
3
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Douglas
Wisconsin Point Beach 1
2
2/week
21
33%
7
view
Douglas
3
1/week
36
64%
24
view
Douglas
3
1/week
20
35%
8
view
Douglas
3
1/week
20
25%
5
view
Douglas
3
1/week
17
18%
3
view
Iron
Oronto Bay Beach 1
3
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Iron
Oronto Bay Beach 2
3
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Iron
Oronto Bay Beach 3
3
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Iron
Saxon Harbor Beach East
3
1/week
15
7%
1
view
Iron
Saxon Harbor Beach West
3
1/week
16
13%
2
view
Kenosha
Alford Park Beach
3
1/week
18
22%
4
view
Kenosha
Eichelman Beach
2
2/week
33
24%
8
view
Kenosha
Lakeshore Drive Beach
Kenosha
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenosha
Melissa Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kenosha
Pennoyer Park Beach
3
1/week
15
7%
1
view
Kenosha
Simmons Island Beach
2
2/week
31
19%
6
view
Kenosha
Southport Park Beach
3
1/week
18
22%
4
view
Kewaunee
9th Avenue Wayside Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kewaunee
City Of Kewaunee Beach
3
1/week
15
7%
1
view
Kewaunee
Crescent Beach
2
2/week
47
9%
4
view
Kewaunee
Lighthouse Vista Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Kewaunee
Red River Park Beaches
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
Fischer Park Beaches
3
1/week
53
21%
14
view
Manitowoc
Hika Park Bay
3
1/week
56
23%
19
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Manitowoc
Lincoln High School Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
Maritime Dr Boat Launch Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
Memorial Drive Wayside Beach
Middle
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
North
2
2/week
48
10%
7
view
Manitowoc
South
2
2/week
46
22%
11
view
Manitowoc
Neshotah Beach
2
2/week
56
2%
1
view
Manitowoc
Point Beach State Forest Concession Stand Beach
2
2/week
61
11%
7
view
Manitowoc
Point Beach State Forest Lakeshore Picnic Area Beach
2
2/week
61
13%
8
view
Manitowoc
Point Beach State Forest Lighthouse Picnic Area Beach
2
2/week
61
15%
9
view
Manitowoc
Red Arrow Park Beach
Manitowoc
2
2/week
66
24%
16
view
Manitowoc
Silver Creek Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
Two Creek Boat Launch Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
University Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
Warm Water Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Manitowoc
YMCA Beach
2
none
0
0%
0
view
Marinette
Michaelis Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Marinette
Peshtigo Harbor Boat Launch
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Marinette
Red Arrow Marinette 1 Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Marinette
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Marinette
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Marinette
Seagull Bar Wildlife Area Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Milwaukee
Atwater Park Beach
2
2/week
27
11%
9
view
Milwaukee
Bay View Park Beach
3
1/week
47
17%
8
view
Milwaukee
Bender Beach
2
2/week
44
48%
27
view
Milwaukee
Big Bay Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Milwaukee
Bradford Beach
1
3/week
66
15%
20
view
Milwaukee
Grant Park Beach
2
2/week
62
26%
19
view
Milwaukee
Klode Park Beach
2
2/week
26
8%
8
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Milwaukee
McKinley Beach
3
1/week
65
8%
14
view
Milwaukee
Sheridan Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Milwaukee
South Shore Beach
1
3/week
65
43%
46
view
Milwaukee
South Shore Rocky Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Milwaukee
Tietjen Beach / Doctor's Park
2
2/week
26
19%
14
view
Milwaukee
Watercraft Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Oconto
Oconto City Park
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ozaukee
Cedar Beach Rd Beach
1
4/week
59
37%
30
view
Ozaukee
Concordia University
3
2/week
29
7%
3
-
Ozaukee
County Road D Boat Launch
Beach
1
4/week
60
37%
26
view
Ozaukee
Harrington State Park Beach
North
1
4/week
60
32%
23
view
Ozaukee
Harrington State Park Beach
South
1
4/week
58
31%
32
view
Ozaukee
Jay Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ozaukee
Lion's Den Gorge Nature
Preserve
3
1/week
32
13%
6
-
Ozaukee
Pebble Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ozaukee
Sandy Beach Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ozaukee
Silver Beach Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Ozaukee
Upper Lake Park Beach
1
4/week
114
18%
12
view
Ozaukee
Virmond County Park
3
none
0
0%
0
-
Racine
Michigan Boulevard Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Racine
Myers Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Racine
North Beach
1
5/week
291
5%
5
view
Racine
Parkway Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Racine
Shoop Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Racine
Wind Point Lighthouse Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Racine
Zoo Beach
1
5/week
225
9%
6
view
Sheboygan
3rd Street Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sheboygan
Amsterdam Beach
3
1/week
26
4%
0
view
Sheboygan
Blue Harbor Beach
1
4/week
86
8%
5
view
Sheboygan
Deland Park Beach
2
4/week
81
1%
0
view
Sheboygan
Foster Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
County
Assigned
Tier Monitoring
Frequency
Beach
% of
samples
Total
exceeding
Samples
state
standards
Closing
or
Advisory
days
View
Sheboygan
General King Park Beach
2
2/week
86
7%
4
view
Sheboygan
KK Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sheboygan
Kohler Andrae State Park
Nature Center Beach
1
4/week
91
32%
9
view
Sheboygan
Kohler Andrae State Park North
Beach
1
4/week
48
17%
10
view
Sheboygan
Kohler Andrae State Park North
Picnic Beach
1
4/week
55
36%
19
view
Sheboygan
Kohler Andrae State Park South
Picnic Beach
1
4/week
53
36%
20
view
Sheboygan
Lakeview Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sheboygan
Van Ess Road Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sheboygan
Vollrath Park Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sheboygan
Whitcomb Avenue Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
Sheboygan
Wilson Lima Beach / White's
Beach
3
none
0
0%
0
view
3. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Water Division, "Wisconsin Water Quality Report
to Congress—Year 2012," p.
9,dnr.wi.gov/topic/surfacewater/documents/2012IRFINALhard%20copy%204.20.12.indd.pdf(ac
cessed May 1, 2013).
4. Donalea Dinsmore, personal communication, May 2013.
Ratings of Popular Beaches
NRDC issued star ratings to 200 popular beaches around the country. The star system awards up to five stars to
each popular beach for exceptionally low violation rates and strong testing and safety practices. Criteria include
testing more than once a week, notifying the public as soon as tests reveal bacterial levels violating health
standards, and posting closings and advisories both online and at the beach. In 2012, thirteen beaches received
a 5-star rating.
5-Star Beaches
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alabama: Gulf Shores Public Beach
Alabama: Gulf State Park Pavilion
California: Bolsa Chica Beach
California: Newport Beach, 38th Street, 52nd/53rd Street
California: San Clemente State Beach, Avenida Calafia, Las Palmeras
Delaware: Dewey Beach - Dagsworthy
Delaware: Rehoboth Beach - Rehoboth Ave.
Maryland: Ocean City at Beach 6
Michigan: Bay City State Recreation Area
Minnesota: Park Point Franklin Park / 13th Street South Beach
Minnesota: Lafayette Community Club Beach
New Hampshire: Hampton Beach State Park
New Hampshire: Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Road
NRDC Ratings for a Selection of U. S. Popular Beaches
% of samples exceeding
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Alabama
Baldwin
Gulf Shores
Public Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Baldwin
Gulf State Park Pavilion
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Baldwin
Little Lagoon
Pass Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Mobile
Dauphin Island
Public Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
California
Los Angeles Dockweiler - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Dockweiler
State Beach in
front of Culver
Blvd storm drain
6.0 %
4.2 %
2.1 %
1/week
yes
yes
Dockweiler
State Beach in
front of the
Imperial Hwy
storm drain
8.0 %
8.3 %
1.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Dockweiler
State Beach just
south of Ballona
Creek
16.7 %
15.0 %
17.4 %
4/week
yes
yes
Dockweiler
State Beach, El
Segundo Grand
Ave extended
9.6 %
8.0 %
15.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
Dockweiler
State Beach,
Playa del Rey in
front of the
Beaches and
Harbors
maintenance
yard
1.9 %
7.8 %
14.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Dockweiler
State Beach,
Playa del Rey
opposite
Hyperion Plant,
at 1 mile marker
3.8 %
7.7 %
10.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Los Angeles Hermosa Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Hermosa Beach
26th St
extended in front
of storm drain
2.0 %
3.9 %
10.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Hermosa Beach
50 yards south
of the Herosa
Beach Pier
4.0 %
8.3 %
0.4 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Los Angeles Long Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Long Beach, 5th
Place Beach
11.8 %
12.1 %
23.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
10th Place
Beach
19.6 %
11.1 %
23.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
55th Place
Beach
9.6 %
9.4 %
19.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
Coronado Ave
Beach
14.3 %
11.1 %
26.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
Granada Ave
Beach
9.4 %
9.6 %
21.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
Molino Ave
Beach
11.3 %
9.8 %
24.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
Prospect Ave
Beach
15.8 %
9.3 %
19.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Long Beach,
West side of
Belmont Pier
16.1 %
9.6 %
25.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Los Angeles Manhattan Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Manhattan
Beach 40th
Street extended
4.0 %
4.2 %
0.8 %
1/week
yes
yes
Manhattan
Beach 50 yards
south of the
Manhattan
Beach Pier
4.0 %
2.1 %
1.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Manhattan
Beach 50 yards
south of 28th St
extended, in
front of storm
drain
9.8 %
16.2 %
19.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Los Angeles Redondo Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Redondo Beach
50 yards south
of the Redondo
Beach Pier
21.3 %
13.9 %
20.3 %
4/week
yes
no
Redondo Beach
Topaz St
extended, north
side of jetty
16.1 %
13.5 %
13.5 %
1/week
yes
yes
Redondo Beach
Avenue I
extended
8.0 %
2.1 %
3.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Redondo Beach
50 yards north
of the Herondo
storm drain
9.8 %
14.3 %
23.1 %
1/week
yes
yes
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Santa Monica
State Beach at
the Santa
Monica Pier
14.9 %
13.1 %
15.4 %
4/week
yes
yes
Santa Monica
State Beach in
front of Ashland
storm drain
7.2 %
5.7 %
10.4 %
4/week
yes
yes
Santa Monica
State Beach in
front of
Pico/Kenter
storm drain
13.3 %
22.6 %
18.3 %
4/week
yes
no
Santa Monica
State Beach in
front of Santa
Monica Canyon
storm drain
10.1 %
21.6 %
21.2 %
4/week
yes
yes
Santa Monica
State Beach
Strand St
extended
7.8 %
7.8 %
10.4 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Los Angeles Surfrider/Malibu Lagoon - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Malibu Lagoon,
Malibu in front of
lifeguard tower
7.7 %
7.8 %
10.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Malibu Pier,
Malibu 50 yards
east of the pier
48.3 %
41.9 %
20.4 %
1/week
yes
yes
Surfrider Beach,
Malibu at the
breech or last
known breech
29.3 %
44.4 %
31.7 %
4/week
yes
no
Los Angeles Venice City Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Venice City
Beach 50 yards
south of Venice
Pier
3.9 %
8.0 %
10.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Venice City
Beach in front of
Windward storm
drain
14.0 %
4.2 %
2.9 %
1/week
yes
yes
Venice City
Beach Topsail
St extended
5.7 %
15.4 %
13.7 %
1/week
yes
no
Venice City
Beach 50 yards
south of Brooks
Avenue storm
drain
5.9 %
9.2 %
16.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Los Angeles Will Rogers State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Will Rogers
State Beach,
17200 Pacific
Coast Hwy,
Pacific
Palisades at
staircase
6.1 %
4.1 %
12.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Will Rogers
State Beach, Bel
Air Bay Club,
Pacific
Palisades 50
yards south of
chain link fence
6.0 %
7.1 %
25.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Los Angeles Will Rogers State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Will Rogers
State Beach,
Pacific
Palisades in
front of Pulga
storm drain
4.0 %
4.2 %
1.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
Will Rogers
State Beach 50
yards south of
Temescal storm
drain
13.7 %
10.0 %
22.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Los Angeles Zuma Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Marin
Marin
Orange
Orange
Trancas Beach
(West Zuma
Beach), Malibu
in front of
Trancas Bridge
0.0 %
4.2 %
14.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Westward
Beach just east
of Zuma Creek
on Point Dume
County Beach
4.0 %
10.4 %
7.8 %
1/week
yes
yes
Stinson Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Stinson BeachCentral
0.0 %
6.7 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Stinson BeachNorth
0.0 %
0.0 %
3.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Stinson BeachSouth
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Muir BeachCentral
0.0 %
2.2 %
2.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Bolsa Chica State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Bolsa Chica
Beach
4.1 %
1.0 %
2.7 %
3/week
yes
yes
Bolsa Chica
Reserve
1.8 %
3.4 %
6.8 %
3/week
yes
yes
Doheny State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Doheny State
Beach, 1000'
South Outfall
28.6 %
42.0 %
38.5 %
2/week
yes
yes
Doheny State
Beach, 2000'
South Outfall
38.8 %
44.6 %
35.5 %
2/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Orange
Orange
Orange
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Doheny State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Doheny State
Beach, 3000'
South Outfall
28.6 %
30.0 %
24.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Doheny State
Beach, 4000'
South Outfall
26.4 %
17.4 %
12.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Doheny State
Beach, North of
San Juan Creek
29.8 %
42.9 %
42.3 %
2/week
yes
yes
Doheny State
Beach, Surfzone
at Outfall
35.7 %
57.4 %
48.1 %
2/week
yes
yes
Huntington City Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Huntington City
Beach, 17th
Street
2.9 %
4.3 %
6.8 %
3/week
yes
yes
Huntington City
Beach, Beach
Hut
4.7 %
3.9 %
5.4 %
3/week
yes
yes
Huntington City
Beach, Bluffs
3.5 %
4.8 %
9.5 %
3/week
yes
yes
Huntington City
Beach, Jack's
Snack Bar
2.9 %
2.4 %
6.8 %
3/week
yes
yes
Huntington State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Huntington State
Beach, 50' N of
Santa Ana River
3.7 %
13.1 %
4.1 %
4/week
yes
yes
Huntington State
Beach,
Brookhurst
Street
12.3 %
4.9 %
2.7 %
4/week
yes
yes
Huntington State
Beach, Magnolia
Street
10.7 %
5.4 %
1.4 %
4/week
yes
yes
Huntington State
Beach, SCE
Plant
8.9 %
2.9 %
6.8 %
4/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Orange
Orange
Orange
Orange
San Diego
San Diego
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Laguna Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Laguna Beach,
Hotel Laguna
2.0 %
5.1 %
19.4 %
2/week
yes
yes
Laguna Beach,
Laguna Main
Bch Downcoast
2.6 %
0.0 %
3.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Newport Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Newport Beach,
38th Street
1.2 %
2.0 %
0.0 %
3/week
yes
yes
Newport Beach,
52nd/53rd Street
1.8 %
1.5 %
2.7 %
3/week
yes
yes
Newport Beach,
Orange Street
4.1 %
4.4 %
1.4 %
3/week
yes
no
San Clemente State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
San Clemente
State Beach,
Avenida Calafia
3.7 %
4.6 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
San Clemente
State Beach,
Las Palmeras
1.3 %
3.2 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Dana Point, Salt
Creek Beach
3.9 %
2.5 %
6.7 %
2/week
yes
yes
Imperial Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Imperial Beach
municipal
beach,
Carnation Ave.
5.1 %
14.9 %
11.5 %
1/week
yes
no
Imperial Beach
municipal
beach, Imperial
Beach Pier
8.5 %
18.9 %
5.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Oceanside Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Oceanside
municipal
beach, Cassidy
Street
0.0 %
2.6 %
6.7 %
1/week
yes
no
Oceanside
municipal
beach, Forester
Street
0.0 %
2.7 %
4.4 %
1/week
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
San Diego
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Oceanside Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Oceanside
municipal
beach, St. Malo
Beach
0.0 %
2.6 %
4.4 %
1/week
yes
no
Oceanside
municipal
beach, Tyson
Street
0.0 %
2.7 %
4.4 %
1/week
yes
no
Buccaneer
Beach, 500'N. of
Loma Alta outlet
0.0 %
11.3 %
3.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Harbor Beach,
San Luis Rey
River outlet
8.2 %
10.4 %
11.4 %
2/week
yes
no
San Diego
Coronado City
beaches, Avd.
del Sol
4.3 %
0.0 %
1.0 %
1/week
yes
no
San Diego
La Jolla Shores
Beach, Ave De
La Playa
2.7 %
0.0 %
7.1 %
1/week
yes
no
San Diego
Mission Beach,
Belmont Park
3.3 %
0.0 %
2.0 %
1/week
yes
no
San Diego
Moonlight
Beach,
Cottonwood
Creek outlet
1.4 %
1.9 %
4.3 %
2/week
yes
no
San Diego
San Dieguito
River Beach,
Del Mar, San
Dieguito River
outlet
2.6 %
6.2 %
3.0 %
1/week
yes
no
San
Francisco
Baker Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Baker Beach,
Lobos Creek at
Lower Parking
Lot
14.5 %
7.9 %
26.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Baker Beach,
Opposite
Seacliff 2
Pumping Station
9.7 %
1.7 %
6.7 %
1/week
yes
no
Baker Beach,
Upper Parking
Lot
10.1 %
1.6 %
6.0 %
1/week
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
San
Francisco
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Ocean Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Ocean Beach, at
Balboa St.
10.0 %
0.0 %
8.5 %
1/week
yes
no
Ocean Beach, at
Lincoln Ave.
10.8 %
0.0 %
15.6 %
1/week
yes
no
Ocean Beach, at
Sloat Blvd.
6.2 %
1.9 %
11.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Delaware
Sussex
Dewey Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Dewey Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Dewey BeachDagsworthy
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
RehobothRehoboth Ave
Beach
2.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Bay
Laguna Beach
19.0 %
7.7 %
1.9 %
2/month
yes
yes
Bay
Panama City
Beach Pier
(Edgewater
Beach)
5.3 %
12.8 %
1.9 %
2/month
yes
yes
Bay
Seltzer Park
(Silver Sands
Beach)
5.3 %
2.6 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Sussex
Florida
Brevard
Cocoa Beach (all combined) - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Cocoa Beach
Minuteman
Causeway
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Cocoa Beach
Pier
5.3 %
4.9 %
12.5 %
2/month
yes
no
Brevard
Pelican Beach
Park
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Broward
John Lloyd State
Park
0.0 %
0.0 %
1.9 %
2/month
yes
no
Dade
Collins Park21st Street
3.7 %
1.9 %
7.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Dade
South Beach
Park
1.9 %
1.9 %
1.9 %
1/week
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Escambia
Pensacola
(Casino) Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Escambia
Quietwater
Beach (Santa
Rosa Sound)
0.0 %
2.5 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Franklin
St. George
Island Franklin
Street
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Gulf
St. Joe Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Dixie Belle
Beach
29.4 %
8.1 %
3.8 %
2/month
yes
no
Monument
Beach
72.2 %
12.2 %
22.0 %
2/month
yes
no
St. Joe Beach
31.6 %
2.6 %
3.7 %
2/month
yes
no
Hillsborough Gulf Beaches of Tampa Bay - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Simmons Park
6.5 %
5.6 %
1.9 %
1/week
yes
no
Bahia Beach
6.5 %
10.5 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
no
Ben T. Davis
North
12.8 %
19.6 %
13.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Ben T. Davis
South
17.0 %
12.1 %
12.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Cypress Point
North
6.5 %
1.9 %
3.7 %
1/week
yes
no
Cypress Point
South
8.7 %
1.9 %
8.8 %
1/week
yes
no
Davis Island
8.7 %
7.3 %
8.8 %
1/week
yes
no
Picnic Island
North
9.3 %
7.1 %
8.6 %
1/week
yes
no
Picnic Island
South
6.8 %
12.5 %
3.8 %
1/week
yes
no
Lee
Bowman's
Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Lee
Lovers Key
State Park
0.0 %
3.7 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Lee
Sanibel
Lighthouse Park
Beach
0.0 %
1.9 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Manatee
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Coquina Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Coquina Beach
North
0.0 %
2.3 %
7.7 %
2/month
yes
no
Coquina Beach
South
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Monroe
Bahia Honda
Oceanside
0.0 %
0.0 %
11.5 %
2/month
yes
yes
Monroe
John
Pennekamp
State Park
Cannon Beach
7.7 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Okaloosa
Brackin Wayside
19.5 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Okaloosa
Henderson
State Park
Beach
14.6 %
1.9 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Pinellas
Sand Key/Indian Rocks Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Indian Rocks
Beach
7.4 %
2.3 %
3.6 %
2/month
yes
no
Sand Key
7.4 %
4.4 %
1.8 %
2/month
yes
no
Pinellas
Fort Desoto
North Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Pinellas
Honeymoon
Island Beach
3.8 %
2.2 %
1.9 %
2/month
yes
no
Pinellas
Madeira Beach
7.4 %
2.3 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Pinellas
Pass-A-Grille
Beach
0.0 %
2.3 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Pinellas
Treasure Island
Beach
0.0 %
4.4 %
3.7 %
2/month
yes
no
Santa Rosa Navarre Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Navarre Beach
Pier
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Navarre Beach
West
5.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Navarre Park
9.5 %
11.6 %
1.9 %
2/month
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Sarasota
Sarasota
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Lido Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Lido Casino
Beach
15.7 %
1.9 %
3.9 %
1/week
yes
no
North Lido
Beach
1.9 %
1.9 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
South Lido
Beach
0.0 %
3.7 %
2.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Venice Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Venice Fishing
Pier
3.6 %
1.9 %
2.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Venice Public
Beach
6.7 %
16.7 %
3.9 %
1/week
yes
no
Sarasota
Siesta Key
Public Beach
7.7 %
7.1 %
3.8 %
1/week
yes
no
Volusia
Main, Daytona
Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Walton
Dune Allen
Beach Access
11.1 %
2.5 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Walton
Eastern Lake
Beach Access
17.5 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Walton
Grayton Beach
Access
26.2 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Walton
Holly Street
Beach Access
27.9 %
0.0 %
1.9 %
2/month
yes
no
Chatham
Tybee Island
North
0.0 %
1.9 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Chatham
Tybee Island
Strand
0.0 %
1.9 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Glynn
East Beach Old
Coast Guard
(SSI)
0.0 %
1.9 %
3.8 %
1/week
yes
yes
Big Island
Anaeho'omalu
Bay
1.4 %
1.2 %
1.3 %
2/week
no
yes
Big Island
Hapuna Beach
St. Rec. Area
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/month
no
yes
Kauai
Hanalei Beach
Co. Park
19.0 %
2.3 %
0.0 %
4/week
no
yes
Kauai
Po'ipu Beach
Co. Park
0.0 %
1.2 %
1.3 %
2/week
no
yes
Georgia
Hawaii
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Maui
Wailea Beach
Park
0.0 %
1.5 %
0.0 %
2/week
no
yes
Oahu
Hanauma Bay
2.6 %
1.8 %
0.0 %
2/week
no
yes
Oahu
Royal-Moana
Beach
4.7 %
1.6 %
1.8 %
2/week
no
yes
Cook
Montrose Beach
25.0 %
22.7 %
21.4 %
5/week
yes
yes
Cook
North Avenue
Beach
5.4 %
8.0 %
2.8 %
5/week
yes
yes
Cook
Oak Street
Beach
0.0 %
5.5 %
11.1 %
5/week
yes
yes
Illinois
Lake
Illinois Beach State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Illinois Beach
State Park North
Beach
4.6 %
11.0 %
7.8 %
4/week
yes
yes
North Point
Marina Beach
12.3 %
34.2 %
49.1 %
4/week
yes
yes
Illinois Beach
State Park
Resort Beach
11.1 %
18.3 %
17.9 %
4/week
yes
yes
Illinois Beach
State Park
South Beach
11.1 %
14.3 %
19.6 %
4/week
yes
yes
Indiana
La Porte
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Indiana Dunes
National
Lakeshore Central Avenue
Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
17.6 %
1/week
no
yes
Indiana Dunes
National
Lakeshore Mount Baldy
0.0 %
0.0 %
31.6 %
1/week
no
yes
La Porte
Washington
Park Beach
11.0 %
8.7 %
16.2 %
1/day
yes
no
Lake
Marquette Park
Beach
4.0 %
5.5 %
11.2 %
5/week
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Porter
Porter
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Indiana Dunes State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Indiana Dunes
State Park East
Beach
11.4 %
24.0 %
20.8 %
1/day
yes
no
Indiana Dunes
State Park West
Beach
15.2 %
13.5 %
18.9 %
1/day
yes
no
Indiana Dunes
National
Lakeshore Porter Beach
12.5 %
23.8 %
6.7 %
1/week
no
yes
North Beach Lake Charles
11.1 %
20.6 %
13.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Louisiana
Calcasieu
Jefferson
Grand Isle State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Grand Isle State
Park 1
0.0 %
8.6 %
7.4 %
1/week
yes
yes
Grand Isle State
Park 2
13.3 %
8.8 %
11.1 %
1/week
yes
yes
Grand Isle State
Park 3
10.7 %
17.6 %
7.1 %
1/week
yes
yes
Grand Isle State
Park 4
5.6 %
2.9 %
3.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Sagadahoc
Popham Center Beach
8.3 %
7.7 %
10.0 %
1/week
yes
no
York
Casino Square
7.4 %
0.0 %
15.8 %
1/week
yes
no
York
Main (Ogunquit)
12.5 %
12.5 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
York
OOB - Central
8.2 %
2.4 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
Maine
Maryland
Anne
Arundel
Sandy Point State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Sandy Point
State Park East
Beach
11.1 %
0.0 %
5.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Sandy Point
State Park
South Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Baltimore
GunPowder
State Park
Hammerman
15.4 %
15.4 %
7.1 %
2/month
yes
yes
Cecil
Elk Neck State
Park North East
River
7.7 %
30.8 %
35.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
St Mary's
Point Lookout
State Park
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Worcester
Assateague
State Park
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Worcester
Ocean City
Beach 6
3.7 %
0.0 %
3.4 %
2/week
yes
yes
Massachusetts
Barnstable
Old Silver Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Old Silver 1 Central
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Old Silver 2 North
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Old Silver 2 South
7.1 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Barnstable
Corporation
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Essex
Devereux
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Essex
Good Harbor
0.0 %
0.0 %
5.9 %
1/week
yes
yes
Essex
Singing - 1
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Essex
Wingearsheek
6.2 %
0.0 %
5.9 %
1/week
yes
yes
Suffolk
Carson Beach at
Bath House
(DCR - DUPR)
1.3 %
1.2 %
10.7 %
1/day
yes
yes
Bay
Bay City State
Recreation Area
1.9 %
2.2 %
1.6 %
4/week
yes
yes
Berrien
Silver Beach
0.0 %
6.7 %
2.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Berrien
Warren Dunes
Beach
13.7 %
18.8 %
33.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Michigan
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Huron
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Port Crescent State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Port Crescent
State Park Camping Area
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Port Crescent
State Park - Day
Use
5.9 %
2.1 %
15.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
Mason
Ludington State
Park
Campground
Beach
0.0 %
3.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Muskegon
Pere Marquette
Park
18.8 %
38.1 %
40.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Ottawa
North Beach
Park
13.6 %
7.1 %
6.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
St. Louis
Park Point
Beach House
8.3 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
St. Louis
Park Point
Franklin Park /
13th Street
South Beach
0.0 %
1.8 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
St. Louis
Park Point
Lafayette
Community Club
Beach
0.0 %
3.2 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Harrison
Courthouse
Road Beach
18.2 %
15.8 %
20.5 %
1/week
yes
no
Harrison
Edgewater
Beach
6.7 %
4.1 %
10.5 %
1/week
yes
no
Jackson
Front Beach
10.3 %
2.0 %
20.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Hampton Beach
SP
0.0 %
0.6 %
0.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Wallis Sands
Rockingham Beach At Wallis
Road
1.2 %
0.0 %
1.0 %
2/week
yes
yes
Rockingham Wallis Sands SP
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
Rockingham
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
New Jersey
Atlantic
Atlantic City Beaches - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Bartram (Atlantic
City)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Chelsea
(Atlantic City)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Illinois (Atlantic
City)
5.3 %
4.5 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Kentucky
(Atlantic City)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Lincoln (Atlantic
City)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Michigan
(Atlantic City)
15.8 %
4.5 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Missouri
(Atlantic City)
10.5 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
New Hampshire
(Atlantic City)
5.9 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
North Carolina
(Atlantic City)
5.6 %
4.8 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
South Carolina
(Atlantic City)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
States (Atlantic
City)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Atlantic
15th St South
(Brigantine)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Atlantic
Washington
(Margate)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
Wildwood Beaches - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Maple
(Wildwood)
4.8 %
5.6 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Orchid
(Wildwood
Crest)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
40th St (Avalon)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
40th St (Sea Isle
City)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
9th (Avalon)
0.0 %
0.0 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
10th & JFK
(North
Wildwood)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Cape May
Ocean Ave.
(Cape May City)
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
96th (Stone
Harbor)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cape May
Webster (Upper
Twp)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Monmouth
7th Avenue
(Belmar)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Monmouth
Sylvania (Avon)
5.6 %
5.0 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Ocean
Point Pleasant Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Broadway (Pt
Pleasant Beach)
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Central (Pt
Pleasant Beach)
0.0 %
0.0 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Maryland (Pt
Pleasant Beach)
5.9 %
0.0 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Lincoln (Seaside
Heights)
5.6 %
0.0 %
5.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Bronx
Orchard Beach
6.7 %
1.7 %
4.8 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cayuga
Fair Haven
Beach State
Park
5.4 %
0.0 %
5.7 %
1/week
no
yes
Ocean
New York
Kings
Coney Island Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Coney Island
Beach - Brighton
6th - Ocean
Parkway
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Coney Island
Beach - Brighton
15th - 6th
0.0 %
5.0 %
9.1 %
1/week
yes
yes
Coney Island
Beach - Ocean
Parkway - W.
8th
0.0 %
0.0 %
4.3 %
1/week
yes
yes
Coney Island
Beach - W. 16th
- 27th
5.3 %
0.0 %
8.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Kings
Monroe
Nassau
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Coney Island Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Coney Island
Beach - W. 28th
- W. 37th
5.3 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Coney Island W. 8th St. to
Pier
5.3 %
4.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Hamlin Beach
State Park Area 3
24.5 %
22.6 %
6.7 %
1/week
no
yes
Jones Beach State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Jones Beach
State ParkCentral
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
no
yes
Jones Beach Zach's Bay
12.5 %
4.8 %
12.9 %
2/week
no
yes
Nassau
Long Beach City
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Queens
Rockaway
Beach - 116th
St. to 126th
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
North Carolina
Brunswick
Ocean Pier at
Causeway and
First St.
0.0 %
0.0 %
3.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Brunswick
Ocean pier at
Main St. and
Sunset Blvd.
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Carteret
Ocean end of
Central Dr.,
Atlantic Ocean
2.9 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Carteret
Mile post 19 1/2,
oceanside
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Currituck
Corolla
Lighthouse
Beach Access
0.0 %
0.0 %
5.6 %
1/week
yes
yes
Currituck
Currituck S
Beach Access at
Pine island
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
Dare
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Nags Head - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Nags Head Bath
House
5.6 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
100 FT- North of
Jennettes Pier
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Dare
Beach at Cape
Hatteras
Lighthouse
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
New
Hanover
Ocean Pier at K.
Ave.
0.0 %
0.0 %
5.9 %
1/week
yes
yes
New
Hanover
Ocean pier at
Salisbury St.
public access
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Pender
Public access
#O-10 at Ocean
Blvd and Crews
Ave.
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Pender
Public access at
S. Shore Dr. and
Kinston Ave.
0.0 %
5.7 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Edgewater State
Park
11.3 %
25.9 %
12.7 %
1/day
yes
yes
Ohio
Cuyahoga
Lake
Headlands State Park - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Headlands State
Park (E)
12.6 %
12.2 %
14.7 %
1/day
yes
yes
Headlands State
Park (W)
10.9 %
15.2 %
15.7 %
1/day
yes
yes
Fairport Harbor
16.7 %
18.4 %
10.8 %
1/day
yes
yes
Clatsop
Cannon Beach
3.4 %
12.3 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Clatsop
Seaside Beach
0.0 %
6.8 %
1.5 %
1/week
yes
yes
Lincoln
D River Beach
0.0 %
4.8 %
14.5 %
2/month
yes
yes
Tillamook
Short Sand
Beach
0.0 %
2.7 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
yes
Beach 6
14.4 %
5.7 %
6.1 %
2/week
yes
yes
Lake
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Erie
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Rhode Island
Washington Scarborough State Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Scarborough
State Beach
North
7.3 %
9.7 %
9.8 %
2/week
yes
no
Scarborough
State Beach
South
7.8 %
3.2 %
11.2 %
2/week
yes
no
Washington
Misquamicut
State Beach
4.2 %
4.8 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Washington
Narragansett
Town Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
3/month
yes
no
South Carolina
Beaufort
Fripp Island
2.2 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Beaufort
Hilton Head
Island
5.7 %
0.7 %
2.1 %
2/month
yes
no
Charleston
Isle of Palms
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Colleton
Edisto Island
2.2 %
4.1 %
5.4 %
2/month
yes
no
Georgetown
Huntington
Beach State
Park
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
2/month
yes
no
Horry
Myrtle Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Myrtle Beach
16.5 %
13.1 %
7.8 %
2/week
yes
no
Myrtle Beach
State Park and
Campgrounds
20.0 %
10.2 %
15.2 %
1/week
yes
no
North Myrtle
Beach
11.4 %
7.7 %
0.9 %
1/week
yes
no
Horry
Arcadia Beach
9.1 %
5.4 %
3.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Horry
Surfside Beach
19.1 %
7.8 %
11.1 %
1/week
yes
no
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Texas
Brazoria
Surfside
11.5 %
1.2 %
3.1 %
1/week
yes
yes
Cameron
South Padre
Island (Town of
South Padre
Island)
0.8 %
0.5 %
2.2 %
1/week
yes
yes
Galveston
Appfel Park
7.7 %
0.0 %
5.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Galveston
Stewart Beach
2.7 %
3.4 %
7.7 %
1/week
yes
yes
Matagorda
Jetty Park
23.6 %
1.1 %
10.4 %
1/week
yes
yes
Nueces
Padre Bali Park
4.6 %
7.1 %
4.5 %
1/week
yes
yes
Nueces
Port Aransas South
2.7 %
3.4 %
2.4 %
1/week
yes
yes
Newport
News
Buckroe Beach
0.0 %
5.6 %
5.9 %
1/week
yes
yes
Norfolk
North
Community
Beach
8.3 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Norfolk
Ocean View
Park, East Side
of Parking Lot
7.7 %
4.3 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Norfolk
Sara Constance
Park, East End
8.3 %
8.3 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Virginia
Beach
Virginia Beach - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Virginia
Virginia
Beach
15th Street
0.0 %
0.0 %
4.8 %
1/week
yes
yes
28th Street
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
45th Street
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
63rd Street
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Back Bay Beach
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Croatan
4.8 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Virginia Beach - Little Island Beach (All False Cape State Park) - Monitoring stations at this beach:
Little Island
Beach North
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
Little Island
Beach South
4.8 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
yes
national standards
County
Beach Name
Stars
2012
2011
Monitoring
frequency
2010
Posts
closings/
advisories
online and
at beach
Posts
advisories
without
resampling
Washington
Grays
Harbor
Westhaven
State Park,
South Jetty
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
King
Alki Beach Park
2.2 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
1/week
yes
no
King
Golden Gardens
6.7 %
0.0 %
3.8 %
1/week
yes
no
Pierce
Owens Beach /
Point Defiance
Park
0.0 %
7.1 %
7.3 %
1/week
yes
no
Door
Baileys Harbor
Ridges Park
Beach
5.4 %
3.6 %
1.7 %
4/week
yes
yes
Milwaukee
Bradford Beach
15.2 %
14.0 %
23.6 %
3/week
yes
yes
Milwaukee
Grant Park
Beach
25.8 %
14.5 %
22.4 %
2/week
yes
yes
Milwaukee
McKinley Beach
7.7 %
16.7 %
30.8 %
1/week
yes
yes
Ozaukee
Harrington State
Park Beach
North
31.7 %
2.0 %
5.8 %
4/week
yes
yes
Racine
North Beach
5.5 %
6.4 %
2.3 %
5/week
yes
yes
Sheboygan
Blue Harbor
Beach
8.1 %
12.7 %
16.4 %
4/week
yes
yes
Wisconsin
How to Understand the State Summaries: Beachwater Quality
Monitoring Programs
Program elements
The BEACH Act authorizes the EPA to award grants to states for implementing programs to monitor coastal
recreational waters adjacent to beaches used by the public for compliance with the standards for pathogen
indicators. Grant funds are also used to notify the public promptly of any exceedances through posting or
equivalent means. The allocations for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 are included in Table 1.
Many states and localities supplement their BEACH Act funding so that they can achieve the objectives of their
beachwater monitoring programs.
TABLE 1: EPA FUNDING
State or Territory
Fiscal Year 2012 Allocation
Alabama
$262,000
$248,000
Alaska
$150,000
$142,000
American Samoa
$302,000
$286,000
Bad River Tribe
no data
$47,000
California
$506,000
$480,000
Connecticut
$222,000
$210,000
Delaware
$210,000
$199,000
Florida
$516,000
$489,000
Georgia
$284,000
$269,000
Grand Portage
no data
$47,000
Guam
$302,000
$286,000
Hawaii
$322,000
$305,000
Illinois
$241,000
$229,000
Indiana
$205,000
$194,000
Louisiana
$316,000
$300,000
Maine
$252,000
$239,000
Makah (Tribe)
no data
$47,000
TABLE 1: EPA FUNDING
State or Territory
Maryland
$266,000
$252,000
Massachusetts
$252,000
$239,000
Michigan
$274,000
$260,000
Minnesota
$202,000
$193,000
Mississippi
$253,000
$244,000
New Hampshire
$204,000
$193,000
New Jersey
$274,000
$260,000
New York
$341,000
$323,000
North Carolina
$300,000
$284,000
Northern Marianas
$303,000
$287,000
Ohio
$222,000
$210,000
Oregon
$227,000
$215,000
Pennsylvania
$221,000
$209,000
Puerto Rico
$327,000
$310,000
Rhode Island
$212,000
$201,000
South Carolina
$294,000
$281,000
Texas
$379,000
$359,000
U.S. Virgin Islands
$303,000
$287,000
Virginia
$273,000
$259,000
Washington
$267,000
$254,000
Wisconsin
$224,000
$212,000
Total
$9,708,000
$9,349,000
Sources: EPA Grants Available to Implement Beach Monitoring and Public Notification Programs in 2012 (Jan.
2012), water.epa.gov/grants_funding/beachgrants/upload/2012fs.pdf & Correspondence from Denise Hawkins,
U.S. EPA (June 17, 2013) (on file with NRDC).
Water Quality Standards
Prior to November 2012, EPA's beachwater quality standards included a geometric mean indicator density for at
least five samples taken at evenly spaced intervals over 30 days, and a single-sample maximum allowable
indicator density.1 Some state and local agencies apply both the geometric mean and the single-sample
standards and issue beach closings or advisories if either standard is exceeded; others apply the geometric mean
standard or the single-sample standard but not both. Some states apply the single-sample maximum allowable
indicator density standard for designated beach areas, some states apply less stringent standards, and some
apply designated beach area standards to some of their beaches and less stringent standards to others. Also,
there are states that apply additional water quality standards that are not associated with the EPA's standards
when they make their closing and advisory decisions. Table 2 summarizes the states' use of water quality
standards (more details about state standards are given in the individual state summaries elsewhere in this
report).
TABLE 2 - STATE COASTAL BEACHWATER QUALITY STANDARDS
(source: see individual state summaries)
Standards Applied
State
EPA’s 30-day geometric
mean standard for at
least five evenly spaced
samples taken over a
30-day period (E. coli
density of 126 per 100
mL for freshwater,
enterococcus density of
35 per 100 mL for
marine water)
Alabama
EPA’s “designated
beach area” single
sample maximum
standard (E. coli
density of 235 per
100 mL for
freshwater;
enterococcus
density of 104 per
100 mL for marine
water)
x
California
x[a]
x
Connecticut[b]
x
x
Delaware[c]
x
x
Florida
x
x
Georgia
x
x
Hawaii[e]
x
x
x
x
Indiana
x
x
x
x[d]
x
Illinois
Maine
Additional
indicator
organism water
quality
standard(s)
x
Alaska
Louisiana
Less stringent
single sample
maximum
standard than
the EPA’s
“designated
beach area”
single sample
maximum
standard
x
x
x
TABLE 2 - STATE COASTAL BEACHWATER QUALITY STANDARDS
(source: see individual state summaries)
Standards Applied
EPA’s 30-day geometric
mean standard for at
least five evenly spaced
samples taken over a
30-day period (E. coli
density of 126 per 100
mL for freshwater,
enterococcus density of
35 per 100 mL for
marine water)
EPA’s “designated
beach area” single
sample maximum
standard (E. coli
density of 235 per
100 mL for
freshwater;
enterococcus
density of 104 per
100 mL for marine
water)
Less stringent
single sample
maximum
standard than
the EPA’s
“designated
beach area”
single sample
maximum
standard
Maryland[f]
x
x
x
Massachusetts
x
x
Michigan[g]
x
Minnesota
x
State
x
x
Mississippi
x
New
Hampshire[h]
x
New Jersey
x
New York[i]
x
x
North
Carolina[j]
x
x
Ohio
x
Oregon
Pennsylvania
x
x
x
x
Rhode Island
x
South Carolina
x
Texas
x
Virginia
x
Washington[k]
x
x
Wisconsin[l]
x
x
Additional
indicator
organism water
quality
standard(s)
•
[a] In California, geometric mean standards are sometimes used to keep a beach posted after
the single-sample maximum has been exceeded but rarely trigger a posting by themselves.
•
[b] Localities in Connecticut determine how they will apply water quality standards; the state
guidelines encourage localities to apply the single-sample maximum standard for designated
beach areas and encourage localities to consider the 30-day geometric mean standard when
making beach closing and advisory decisions.
•
[c] DNA analyses to track the source of bacteria at Slaughter Beach and Prime Hook Beach have
shown that non-human sources contribute to indicator bacteria counts at these beaches.
Monitoring results at these beaches are adjusted downwards to account for non-human
sources at these beaches before the water quality standard is applied.
•
[d] In the past, Florida applied a fecal coliform single-sample maximum standard of 400
cfu/100 ml. However, the state stopped using the fecal coliform standard when state funding
for the beach monitoring program was eliminated in July 2011. Some localities have continued
to fund testing for fecal coliform and to apply the fecal coliform standard.
•
[e] Hawaii applies the geometric mean standard and uses quantitative information about the
presence of Clostridium perfringens (a tracer for human sewage) when making beach warning
decisions at beaches that are monitored at least five times a month. By themselves,
exceedances of the single sample standard (including repeat exceedances of the single sample
standard) rarely result in a warning at other beaches.
•
[f] Maryland uses the designated beach area single-sample maximum standard at its Tier 1 and
Tier 2 beaches and a less stringent single-sample maximum standard at its Tier 3 beaches.
•
[g] Michigan's geometric mean standard is 130 cfu/100 ml for at least five representatively
spaced sampling events over 30 days.
•
[h] In New Hampshire, at beaches that are sampled in three locations, when either two or
more samples collected at a beach exceed the standard or when one sample exceeds 174
counts/100 ml a beach advisory is issued. The state standard for the geometric mean of at
least three samples collected over a 60-day period is 35 cfu/100 ml, but the geometric mean
standard is not typically used to issue beach advisories.
•
[i] For freshwater beaches, New York uses an E. coli single-sample maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml
or 61 cfu/100 ml for enterococcus (this is the designated beach area standard for enterococcus
in freshwater). Whether or not geometric mean standards are applied when making closing
and advisory decisions depends on the local beach authority.
•
[j] North Carolina’s water quality standards at its Tier 1 beaches are a single-sample maximum
of 104 mpn/100 ml water and a running monthly geometric mean of 35 mpn/100 ml. At Tier 2
beaches, the standard is a single-sample maximum of 276 mpn/100 ml, and at Tier 3 beaches,
the standard is a single-sample maximum of 500 mpn/100 ml. During April and October, the
standard for Tier 1 beaches is generally the same as the standard for Tier 2 beaches. The
geometric mean standard is not applied to Tier 2 and Tier 3 beaches.
•
[k] The geometric mean standard of 35 cfu/100 ml is taken into consideration when
determining permanent advisories in Washington.
•
[l] In Wisconsin, the geometric mean water quality standard for fresh water may be used to
make closing and advisory decisions at high priority beaches.
Monitoring
There is a considerable amount of variability among state beachwater monitoring protocols. Some states
perform additional monitoring after exceedances and when they expect beachwater to be contaminated. Others
adhere to a schedule that doesn't vary with circumstances. Some states take multiple samples that are
composited before analysis, or analyze multiple samples and average the results before applying them to the
water quality standard.
States also vary as to how often they sample. Some states monitor their high-priority beaches almost daily,
while other states monitor their high-priority beaches less than once a week. Moreover, sampling techniques
differ by state. The EPA recommends that samples be collected 12 inches below the surface in water that is
three feet deep, but states report collecting samples at varying depths. Some states are particular about
collecting samples at a particular time of day or tidal stage. Samplers in some states wade into the surf and hold
the collection container in their hand to collect the sample, others use a telescoping golf ball retriever so
samples are collected far from the sampler's body.
Sampling practices can have a major impact on whether or not an advisory or closing is issued. A study
conducted at Hobie Beach in Florida found that samples taken at times of high solar radiation were less likely to
exceed standards than samples taken when solar radiation was low.2 Solar radiation varies with the time of
year, the time of day, and the clarity of the atmosphere; it is greatest at high noon near the summer solstice on
a clear day. The same study found that enterococcus levels were higher in samples that were collected in kneedeep water than in samples taken in waist-deep water. Table 3 shows the depth of water samples are collected
in by state.
TABLE 3: POLICY-RECOMMENDED WATER DEPTH WHERE SAMPLES ARE
COLLECTED FOR COASTAL STATES
State
Ankle Deep
Water
Alabama
Knee Deep
Water
x
Alaska[1]
California
x
x
Connecticut[2]
Delaware
Waist Deep
Water
x
x
Florida
x
Georgia
x
Hawaii[3]
x
x
Illinois
x
x
Indiana
x
Louisiana
Maine[4]
x
x
Deeper than Waist
Deep
TABLE 3: POLICY-RECOMMENDED WATER DEPTH WHERE SAMPLES ARE
COLLECTED FOR COASTAL STATES
Maryland
x
Massachusetts
x
Michigan[5]
x
x
x
x
Minnesota[6]
x
Mississippi[7]
x
New Hampshire
x
New Jersey[8]
x
New York
x
North Carolina[9]
x
Ohio
Oregon[10]
Pennsylvania[11]
x
x
x
x
x
Rhode Island
x
x
South
Carolina[12]
x
Texas[13]
x
Virginia
x
Washington
x
Wisconsin
x
x
[1] Samples are collected in water that is three feet deep.
[2] Samples are collected in water that is 3-4 feet deep.
[3] Samples are taken in water that is knee to waist deep.
[4] Samples are taken in water that is 2-3 feet deep.
[5] Samples are taken in water that is 3-6 feet deep.
[6] Samples in the Grand Portage Reservation are collected in water that is 2.5 feet deep, while beaches sampled
by the state are sampled in knee-deep water.
[7] Samples are taken in water that is 0.5 m deep.
[8] Samples are taken in water that is between knee and chest deep.
[9] Samples in the surf are taken in knee-deep water; samples taken from boats are taken in wáter that is three
feet deep
[10] Samples are taken in water that is ankle to knee deep.
[11] Samples are taken in water that is 30 inches deep.
[12] Samples are taken in water that is 20-40 inches deep.
[13] Samples can be collected at the location of greatest swimmer activity instead of in water that is two feet
deep under certain conditions.
Public Notification Practices
Along with different standards for triggering an advisory or closure, states vary as to whether or not they issue a
public health advisory or close a beach or both when sampling has found bacteria levels that exceed the
standards. Some states wait until there have been two consecutive standard violations before an advisory is
issued, and some take other factors into account when an exceedance occurs before deciding to issue a closing
or advisory.
Methods for notifying the public of health advisories and beach closures are variable among states as well, and
for some beaches it may be difficult for beachgoers to get complete information about any notifications. States
make use of a variety of notification methods, including the Internet, toll-free phone lines, signs posted at
beaches, electronic notifications, newspaper notices, and television and radio coverage in conjunction with the
weather report. At a minimum, public notification for beach closings and advisories should include a sign or flag
at the beach and an easily located website.
How to Read the State Summaries
NRDC's report includes the summaries of 30 state beachwater quality standards, monitoring and
closing/advisory practices, and NRDC's 2012 monitoring results and closings and advisories, listed alphabetically
by state. It is impossible to make direct comparisons between states or to assess trends over time on the basis of
advisory and closure data. Standards, monitoring, and closing/advisory practices vary from state to state,
making it difficult to know, for example, whether a state with many closings has vigilant health officials or has
more coastal pollution. High numbers of closings and advisories, while potentially indicating pollution problems,
may also indicate that the state or county is making a good effort to protect the public health by vigilantly
monitoring its waters, informing the public when they are polluted and taking a precautionary approach to
closings and advisories. States with comprehensive programs and closure practices should be commended for
their efforts.
A meaningful way of comparing beachwater quality between states is to compare the percent of monitoring
samples taken at each beach that exceed the national single-sample maximum standards for designated beach
areas. NRDC provides these values for beaches in all 30 coastal and Great Lakes states. To track water quality
within the state over time, NRDC also provides information on the percent of monitoring samples taken at
beaches monitored consistently from year to year that exceed the state single-sample maximum standard(s).
Many states have dedicated and talented individuals that work hard to improve their beachwater quality and to
protect public health when beachwater quality is poor. States that do more than monitor their beachwater and
issue closings and advisories should be recognized for their extra efforts.
The state summaries are organized into sections as described below.
Rank in the Nation
Each state's national ranking in percent exceedances is based on the percentage of samples reported to exceed
the EPA's single-sample maximum standard for designated beach areas that existed prior to the November 2012
revisions. For marine water, the standard is an enterococcus density of 104 per 100 ml, and for freshwater it is
an E. coli density of 235 per 100 ml. Rankings go from 1st for the state with the lowest percent exceedances to
30th for the state with the highest percent exceedances.
Key Findings
2012 Beachwater Quality Summary: This pie chart shows a measure of water quality at the state's beaches.
Beaches with 0% of samples exceeding state's daily standards make up the green slice, beaches whose samples
exceeded the state's daily standards more than 0% of the time to 10% of the time make up the yellow slice,
beaches whose samples exceeded the state's daily standard more than 10% of the time to 20% of the time make
up the orange slice, and beaches whose samples exceeded the state's daily standard more than 20% of the time
make up the red slice. Beaches that were not monitored and beaches that were monitored less than 12 times in
2012 make up the grey slice.
Reported Sources of Beachwater Contamination Statewide: The EPA asks states to report a source (usually a
source of contamination) for each closing and advisory event, and the reported information is presented in this
bulleted list. Sometimes the source of a closure or advisory is not contamination-related; for example, beaches
can be closed for riptides or shark sightings. In 2008, some states began systematically reporting beach-specific
(not closing and advisory day specific) sources of contamination at their beaches. This information is not
presented in the bulleted list.
This section describes the number of beaches and beach segments monitored in the state and what their
assigned monitoring frequency is. The percent of samples that exceeded state standards is given. For this
section, NRDC calculated percent exceedance rates by taking the number of samples exceeding the state's daily
maximum single-sample standard(s) and dividing that number by the total number of samples collected during
the calendar year. NRDC considers all reported samples individually (without averaging) when calculating the
percent exceedance rates in this analysis. This includes duplicate samples and samples taken outside the official
beach season, if any. These exceedance determinations are used for tracking water quality over time. The list of
beaches with highest exceedances in the state excludes beaches with less than 12 monitoring samples reported
during the year.
This section also shows the trends in beachwater quality from 2008 to 2012. When making year-to-year
comparisons, NRDC only includes beaches that were sampled all five years. Thus, each state summary has three
2012 percent exceedance rates that might not agree: one that was calculated based on the national singlesample maximum water quality standard for designated beach areas (to rank states for 2012), one that was
calculated based on the state's daily maximum standard(s) (which might or might not be different than the
national standard), and one that was calculated based on the state's daily maximum standard(s) for the set of
beaches with reported monitoring results in all five years from 2008 to 2012.
What Are the State's Sampling Practices?
In this section, the state's beach monitoring season is given along with the level of control that the state's
program has over local beach monitoring and notification practices. Sampling protocols and factors the states
use to determine which beaches to monitor and how frequently to monitor them are also described. This
section tells if a state chooses to sample when and where the water quality is suspect, or if monitoring is
conducted more frequently after a closing or advisory is issued.
As noted above, having high numbers of closings and advisories, by itself, does not necessarily reveal poor water
quality. Instead, it may indicate that the state or county is making a good effort to protect public health by
vigilantly monitoring its waters and closing beaches when they are polluted or when officials suspect increased
pollution levels.
How Many Beach Closing and Advisories Were Issued in 2012?
The total number of beach closing and advisory days for each beach is included in the monitoring results table
mentioned above. In an effort to be consistent in tabulating closings and advisories, NRDC used the following
guidelines:
•
•
•
Closings or advisories issued for an individual beach for one day are counted as one closing/advisory day.
Reported closing/advisory days include only events lasting six consecutive weeks or less. Closing and
advisory days for events lasting more than six weeks are reported separately as extended (more than 6 but
not more than 13 consecutive weeks) or permanent events (more than 13 consecutive weeks).
In the case of standing advisories that depend on local conditions, NRDC is typically unable to calculate the
number of days attributable to such events, so they are only included to the extent that states report them
to the EPA.
How Does the State Determine When to Warn Visitors About Swimming?
This section describes the state standards. Information about any use of predictive models and preemptive
standards for issuing beach closings and advisories is included, as well as what factors are involved when a state
decides issue a closing or advisory.
Methodology for NRDC's Report: Sources of Information
NRDC relies on the EPA's electronic reporting system for information collected under the federal BEACH Act.
Information from the electronic reporting system has been supplemented by NRDC surveys of state and local
officials. Beach monitoring coordinators in nearly every state cooperated with NRDC with a great deal of
patience and grace and provided interesting and meaningful information for this report. NRDC is thankful for
their time and their openness.
Although greatly improved, the EPA's electronic data submission system continues to experience some technical
problems, resulting in potential delays in data availability and incomplete data. Therefore, NRDC requested 2012
beach season monitoring and closing/ advisory (i.e., "notification") data directly from the states. When states
provided these data, NRDC used them; otherwise, we used monitoring data downloaded from the EPA's STORET
website and closing/advisory data sent to us by the EPA or downloaded from EPA's BEACON website.
NRDC first began contacting states in December, 2012, asking them when and if their annual report would be
available and if they could provide NRDC with their monitoring and/or notification data directly. Between
January and May, every state was sent a survey about the popular beaches listed in the ratings chart and general
management practices. Between February and mid-May, every state was sent a summary of monitoring data for
their verification. NRDC sent each state a draft of their summary for review, verification, and comment. This
draft contained NRDC's analysis of the notification and monitoring data as well as the narrative material for each
state. Follow-up questions about state practices and additional data corrections were made into June, when
states and localities were contacted with very specific questions about beaches on the ratings chart.
A summary of contacts made with states to verify program information and monitoring and notification data is
given in the table below. These dates do not include original contacts with states, state responses to program
surveys, or contacts regarding NRDC's questions outside of the state summary and data review process. Note
that in some cases it was difficult to determine which column to put the date for a state response, for example
when a state responded to an e-mail about the monitoring data with program information or notification data
corrections. In several cases, NRDC stated in their communications with states that if they did not receive
responses, NRDC would assume that they were in agreement with the item under review.
TABLE 4: SUMMARY OF REVIEW PROCESS
Notification
Data
Source
Draft summary with
notification and
monitoring data
analysis, beach by
beach data, and
program description
sent to state/locality
for review
State/locality
latest
response to
summary and
to questions
about rated
beaches
State
Monitoring
Data
Source
Monitoring
Data
Summary
Sent to
State for
Review
Alabama
State
01/09/13
4/10/13
4/10/13
State
01/09/13
5/24/13
6/7/13
Alaska
STORET
02/24/13
2/26/13
2/26/13
EPA
04/23/13
3/28/13
5/20/13
California
State
02/13/13
5/17/13
5/17/13
State
02/13/13
6/10/13
6/12/13
Connecticut
State
01/09/13
2/7/13
4/3/13
State
01/09/13
5/26/13
6/10/13
Delaware
STORET
03/21/13
3/28/13
5/11/13
BEACON
05/23/13
5/24/13
5/28/13
Florida
STORET
02/15/13
4/10/13
5/1/13
EPA
04/23/13
5/20/13
6/12/13
Georgia
STORET
02/11/13
4/1/13
no response
EPA
04/23/13
6/2/13
6/7/13
Hawaii
STORET
02/11/13
4/10/13
4/22/13
EPA
05/06/13
5/22/13
6/14/13
Illinois
STORET
02/11/13
5/6/13
5/30/13
BEACON
05/23/13
6/4/13
6/14/13
Indiana
STORET
05/04/13
5/4/13
5/7/13
EPA
03/20/13
5/20/13
6/11/13
Louisiana
STORET
02/25/13
2/26/13
2/26/13
EPA
03/25/13
5/13/13
5/23/13
Maine
State
02/15/13
2/26/13
2/26/13
State
02/15/13
5/19/13
5/29/13
Maryland
State
04/04/13
5/1/13
5/11/13
EPA
03/20/13
5/23/13
6/12/13
Massachusetts
STORET
03/21/13
4/1/13
4/5/13
EPA
05/06/13
5/19/13
6/6/13
Michigan
STORET
05/25/13
NA[2]
NA
EPA
03/07/13
6/2/13
6/10/13
Minnesota
BEACON
03/20/13
3/26/13
5/9/13
EPA
03/25/13
5/26/13
6/11/13
State
Response[1]
TABLE 4: SUMMARY OF REVIEW PROCESS
Notification
Data
Source
Draft summary with
notification and
monitoring data
analysis, beach by
beach data, and
program description
sent to state/locality
for review
State/locality
latest
response to
summary and
to questions
about rated
beaches
State
Monitoring
Data
Source
Monitoring
Data
Summary
Sent to
State for
Review
Mississippi
STORET
02/25/13
2/26/13
3/4/13
EPA
03/11/13
5/20/13
5/24/13
New
Hampshire
State
01/29/13
1/31/13
02/13[3]
State
01/29/13
5/8/13
5/23/13
New Jersey
State
01/10/13
2/26/13
5/21/13
State
01/10/13
5/27/13
6/14/13
New York
STORET
04/12/13
4/12/13
5/20/13
EPA
04/23/13
6/2/13
6/14/13
North Carolina
State
02/18/13
3/2/13
3/2/13
EPA
03/25/13
5/19/13
6/14/13
Ohio
State
02/11/13
5/1/13
5/9/13
EPA
05/12/13
5/31/13
6/10/13
Oregon
State
03/20/13
3/21/13
3/21/13
EPA
05/12/13
6/4/13
6/13/13
Pennsylvania
STORET
02/11/13
4/10/13
4/11/13
EPA
04/23/13
6/3/13
6/12/13
Rhode Island
STORET
05/16/13
5/16/13
5/17/13
EPA
05/12/13
6/3/13
6/16/13
South Carolina
STORET
03/21/13
3/21/13
3/22/13
EPA
03/25/13
6/3/13
6/11/13
Texas
State
01/08/13
2/5/13
2/6/13
State
01/08/13
5/21/13
5/22/13
Virginia
State
01/11/13
2/8/13
2/12/13
State
01/11/13
5/6/13
5/30/13
Washington
State
01/24/13
4/10/13
4/16/13
State
01/24/13
5/24/13
6/10/13
Wisconsin
STORET
02/26/13
2/26/13
3/11/13
EPA
02/13/13
5/21/13
6/7/13
State
Response[1]
[1] In cases were there was a back and forth dialogue with the state, the final response date is shown
[2] Michigan gave the go-ahead to use its STORET data too late to allow for summary review
[3] Exact date not recorded
1. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria–1986.
EPA440/5-84-002. January 1986.
2. Vogel, LJ, AA Enns, AM Abdelzaher, HM Solo-Gabriele. Spatial and Temporal Variation in Indicator Microbe
Sampling and its Effects on Beach Management Decisions. Poster at Beach Conference. Miami, FL. March
2011.
Guide to Finding a Clean Beach
How to Find Out if a Beach is Tested for Pollution—and What Authorities Do If
They Find It.
Wondering how clean the water is at your favorite vacation beach? Finding an answer can be tricky.
There is no national protocol for protecting the public from unsafe swimming water, so beach testing
and closing/health advisory practices vary beach by beach and state by state. Some localities regularly
test the water quality at their beaches, while others do not. Even when states and localities perform
tests, they don't always notify the public or close beaches when bacteria levels in the water exceed
health standards.
Finding Help Online
Here's how to check the safety of your favorite beach before heading out for a swim:
Start by checking Testing the Waters 2013. The NRDC report will give you the details on beachwater
monitoring practices and standards and tell you how often those standards were exceeded in 2012. It
also reports on whether local authorities notify the public when they discover beachwater pollution.
Testing the Waters contains information on coastal and Great Lakes beaches.
Check out our ratings of 200 popular U.S. beaches’ water quality, safety monitoring, and notification
practices.
The Environmental Protection Agency's Beaches website is also full of useful information, including an
interactive database of water quality testing, beach closures, and advisories. The agency's beach Do’s
and Don'ts also offers tips about how you can help to improve water quality at the beach.
Finding Help at the Local or State Health Department
In most cases, staff members at your town or county health department will be able to answer your
questions about local beachwater monitoring. You also can contact your state's health or environmental
protection agency. The information for EPA regional beach contacts and state, tribe and territory beach
contacts can be found here.
When you contact local or state health officials, ask:
•
•
•
•
What are the sources of pollution affecting the waters where I swim?
What sort of water quality monitoring for swimmer safety is performed at these beaches?
Are beaches always closed or the public notified when monitoring shows that the bacterial
standard is exceeded?
What is the current status of these waters (are they closed or open), and what warning signs
should I look for if there are water pollution problems?
Avoiding Polluted Beaches
In some cases, beachwater quality test results may be announced on local radio and TV, printed in the
newspaper or posted on a website. Also be on the lookout for posted signs at the beach before you
swim.
Whenever possible, swim at beaches that your research shows have the cleanest water, are carefully
monitored, and have strict closure and advisory procedures. If your beach is not monitored regularly,
there are some things you can do to avoid swimming in polluted water:
•
•
•
•
•
If possible, choose beaches that are next to open waters or away from urban areas. They
typically pose less of a health risk than beaches in developed areas or in enclosed bays and
harbors with little water circulation.
Look for pipes along the beach that drain stormwater runoff from the streets, and don't swim
near them. Avoid swimming in beachwater that is cloudy or smells bad.
Keep your head out of the water.
Avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after it rains and 72 hours after heavy rains.
Contact local health officials if you suspect beachwater contamination so that others can be
protected from exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
How widespread is beach pollution?
What are the major causes of beach pollution?
Could I get sick from swimming in contaminated beachwater?
Could I get sick from swimming in water contaminated by animal waste?
Who is most at risk?
How many Americans get sick from swimming in contaminated beachwater?
How can I protect myself from getting sick?
Aren't beaches tested to make sure that they are safe?
Why isn't beachwater testing sufficient?
If states close beaches, won't they damage coastal economies?
What can be done to make swimming at our beaches safer?
What are red tides and are they dangerous to swim in?
How could climate change affect the health of the water at my beach?
1. How widespread is beach pollution?
Every coastal state has a beach with pollution problems. In 2012, beach pollution prompted 20,120
closing and swimming advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches. Closing and swimming
advisory days have exceeded 20,000 days in 11 of the past 12 years.
According to the most recent data available, 3,673 beaches are monitored—a 2 percent increase from
2011, and 36 percent are designated for monitoring at least once a week. Increased monitoring
continues to highlight the extensive problem of beachwater pollution.
2. What are the major causes of beach pollution?
As described in this report's Sources of Beach Pollution fact sheet, the most frequently identified
pollution source is stormwater, which contributed to 5,654 closing and health advisory days in 2012,
followed by miscellaneous sources such as wildlife and boat discharges which contributed to 3,747
closing/advisory days and sewage spills and overflows, which contributed to 2,004 closing and advisory
days.
Rain is often a contributing factor to beachwater pollution. Heavy rain can overwhelm sewage systems,
forcing raw sewage directly into coastal waters, bypassing treatment plants. And as rainwater washes
over land, it picks up pollutants and carries them directly to coastal waters. Pollutants found in
stormwater include trash, motor oil, pet waste, pesticides, fertilizer, animal droppings, and anything else
that washes off developed land when it rains.
But in many cases, communities simply don’t know the sources of beachwater pollution. In 2012, 63% of
closing and advisory days in 2012 were attributed to unknown sources of pollution. NRDC has long
advocated for a greater federal investment in local beach programs to enable officials to better track
down and correct pollution sources.
3. Could I get sick from swimming in contaminated beachwater?
Yes. Exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites in contaminated beachwater can cause a wide range of
diseases, including ear, nose and eye infections, stomach flu, hepatitis, encephalitis, skin rashes, and
respiratory illnesses. Most waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States occur during the summer
when Americans are most likely to be exposed to contaminated beachwater.
4. Could I get sick from swimming in water contaminated by animal waste?
Yes. Although some pathogens in animal waste do not transfer to humans, others (such as E. coli 0157)
can make humans ill. Considerable research still needs to be done to determine the extent of the risk
posed to humans by exposure to pathogens from animal waste. But until scientific research
demonstrates otherwise, it is best to assume that it's not safe to swim in beachwater that contains
excessive levels of human or animal waste.
5. Who is most at risk?
Small children, elderly people, pregnant women, cancer patients and others with weakened immune
systems are most likely to get sick from swimming in contaminated beachwater. They also are the most
likely to be hospitalized or die from exposure to waterborne illnesses. For instance, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children under the age of 9 had more reports of diarrhea
and vomiting from exposure to waterborne parasites than any other age group.
6. How many Americans get sick from swimming in contaminated beachwater?
We do not have good national data on recreational waterborne disease outbreaks because most people
treat the symptoms of their illness (for example, fever, headache, diarrhea and vomiting) without ever
finding out what caused them.
7. How can I protect myself from getting sick?
Beachgoers can lessen their chances of getting sick by swimming only at beaches where authorities test
the water frequently and close the beach or issue an advisory when it is polluted, staying out of the
water when there are closings or advisories, avoiding swimming at beaches with nearby discharge pipes
or at urban beaches after a heavy rainfall, staying out of murky or foul-smelling water, staying out of the
water when they have an open wound or infection, and swimming without putting their heads under
water.
If you believe that you have been exposed to contaminated water, rinse off well with soap and water.
Especially clean any skin abrasions. Use a mouthwash or clean water to gargle and spit out. Dry out your
ears. Take a shower and wash swimsuits and towels (and other clothing that might have gotten wet) as
soon as possible. If you start to feel sick, go to a doctor or your healthcare provider. Tell your doctor that
you think you were exposed to contaminated water. Contact your county health department to report
your illness.
8. Aren't beaches tested to make sure that they are safe?
State and local health and environmental officials are responsible for monitoring water quality at our
nation's beaches. When they find contaminated water, they may post warnings or close the beach.
Coastal beach monitoring has significantly improved in recent years due to passage of the Beaches
Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 (BEACH Act), which provides assistance to
state and local governments to develop monitoring programs. According to NRDC's annual beach report,
Testing the Waters, 36 percent of beaches that reported to the EPA and NRDC were designated for
monitoring at least once a week in 2012. But many beaches still are not monitored regularly, in part
because Congress has never fully funded the BEACH Act. Even worse, the Obama administration has
proposed to eliminate BEACH Act funding for states for the upcoming fiscal year. If adopted, this
proposal would undoubtedly mean less monitoring and poorer notification of beach conditions.
9. Why isn't current beachwater testing sufficient?
Even beachwater that is regularly monitored for pollution is not necessarily safe on any given day. The
tests take 24 hours to produce results, and many beaches wait to re-test rather than close or issue an
advisory. The tests also are not designed to protect the public against the full range of waterborne
illnesses or to protect sensitive populations.
In 2012 the EPA released new allowable bacteria levels in recreational waters (called "criteria") that
missed a critical opportunity to better protect the public from the dangers of swimming in polluted
water. In fact, in some respects the new criteria are even less protective than the 25-year-old criteria
they replaced. Most egregiously, the criteria are based on what the EPA has determined is an acceptable
gastrointestinal illness risk of 3.6%. That is, the EPA believes it is acceptable for 36 in 1,000 swimmers (1
in 28) to become ill with gastroenteritis from swimming in water that just meets its proposed water
quality criteria.
10. If states close beaches, won't they damage coastal economies?
The primary purpose of beach closings is to protect public health. Although there may be short-term
impacts to local economies from beach closings, public confidence is enhanced by the knowledge that
effective beach protection and cleanup programs are in place. Ultimately, coastal economies will be
bolstered if beachwater pollution sources are cleaned up. One study estimated that the annual health
costs associated with gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, come to between $21 million and
$51 million for Los Angeles and Orange county beaches alone.
11. What can be done to make swimming at our beaches safer?
Our beaches would be safer for swimming if they were cleaner. Federal, state and local governments
should make beachwater pollution prevention a priority by requiring better controls on stormwater and
sewage. Stormwater is the largest known source of pollution causing beach advisories or closings. One
of the best ways to curb stormwater pollution is by implementing green infrastructure techniques in
communities to retain and filter rainwater where it falls and let it soak back into the ground, rather than
allowing it to overflow into waterways. This includes strategically placed rain gardens in yards, tree
boxes along city sidewalks, green roofs, and permeable pavement. By capturing and storing stormwater
in rain barrels or cisterns, we can also reuse it for irrigation or other non-potable uses.
The Environmental Protection Agency is presently planning a major reform of its regulations governing
urban and suburban runoff pollution. These rule changes represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity
to advance communities' ability to retain stormwater rather than discharge it.
Individuals can also help control water pollution by taking simple actions such as picking up pet waste,
putting swim diapers with plastic covers on babies and keeping trash off the beach.
12. What are red tides and are they dangerous to swim in?
Red tides are massive blooms of certain species of microscopic algae that produce toxins dangerous to
humans and marine life. Inhaling, swallowing or coming into skin contact with these toxins can result in
serious and potentially life-threatening human illnesses. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramping and chills, among many others. Red tides have killed dolphins and manatees in
Florida and also are a suspected cause of sea turtle and whale deaths.
Red tides in Florida and elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico are becoming more common. The tides can
occur for a variety of reasons, but they appear to be made worse by an overload of nutrients in the
water, brought on by inadequately treated sewage, farm waste and fertilizer runoff.
13. How could climate change affect the health of the water at my beach?
Climate change will make beachwater pollution worse. In some communities, it will lead to more
frequent and intense rainstorms, temperature increases, flooding, and sea level rise, as well as increased
stormwater pollution and sewer overflows—leading to more contamination and pathogens in your
beachwater. Climate change is also expected to increase pathogen populations that cause stomach flu
and other, potentially life-threatening diseases in coastal waters.
Methodology for Beach Locations
The EPA gathers beach locations from state and local officials and provides those data in a central
database.
The location data are provided in latitude and longitude format. For example, Long Beach, California is
located at 33.757,-118.147. Learn more about latitude and longitude values.
The local or state officials in most cases have provided to the EPA with a "start" latitude/longitude and
"end" latitude/longitude for each beach. There is a wide variety in the monitoring protocols for the
different beaches, and we are unable to provide any information at present about the location of the
monitoring locations. As a consequence, the icons are simply based on the mid-point of the
latitudes/longitudes provided.
In some cases, the EPA database contained only a single point for the beach (not start and end points).
In those situations we simply represented the beach as a single icon with no boundaries denoted.
When the EPA databases did not include a beach location, we requested additional information from
state beach contacts and did a beach-by-beach inquiry using internet searches to attempt to find the
beach location. Specifically, we ran several searches for missing beaches both using EPA's BEACON
website and using Google searches for the beaches' attributes (name, beach ID, e.g.) to try to find
location information.
Despite this effort, out of the 7200+ beaches we analyzed, we were unable to find latitude and longitude
coordinates for roughly 4%. These beaches are listed in a pop-up underneath each state map.
Data Checking
We compared the map generated from EPA's data to several state and local government maps of
beaches we

NRDC: Testing the Waters 2013

Transcription

Similar documents

You`re invited to the 3nd annual Weenie Roast

BROCHURE-ACQUALINA MIAMI

Mrs. House and Mrs. Huba`s STEM Challenge Day

Help Support Our Cause For Paws!

Weenie Roast - Cape Fear Sail and Power Squadron

Palm Beach - Blue Ocean Apartment

Company Events Design Your Own Beach Party

SMALL PLOT LAND 3 ARE IN TUMBAK BAYUH

The 7 th Annual Orchard Beach Car Show

Direct mail your Property Brochure