Is It Safe to Swim at Your Local Beach?

While the Boston Herald has reported double the number of beach closings for the Bay State this year, the problems are echoed across the country.

We had previously reported that nationwide beach closures hit record numbers in 2006, and a recent report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) indicated that 2007 had the second-highest number of closures in 18 years.

What's going on (besides spider pig)? The biggest culprits continue to be aging and poorly designed sewage systems, which result in high bacteria counts in and near shore waters, as well as untreated stormwater, which carries pollution from the streets to the beach. Unknown sources of pollution caused more than 8,000 closing and advisory days, while direct sewage spills and overflows more than tripled to 4,097 from 2006 to 2007. While 2007 was somewhat less polluted than 2006, the regional picture was varied, with the Gulf Coast and the New York City area seeing the most trouble.

According to the Herald, recent rains have raised bacteria counts on Massachusetts beaches. The result can be gastrointestinal, respiratory and ear infections among swimmers. Officials suggest waiting at least 24 hours before getting in the water after a storm event, to let bacteria flush out with the tides and water circulation.

Get NRDC's full report on our nation's beaches. Check out these 7 ways to make your beach outing eco-friendly.

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