As Americans head to the coast for one last summer getaway this Labor Day weekend, many will face a disappointing reality: the water at some of the nation’s most popular beaches may not be safe to swim in, multiple sources are reporting.
From Crystal River, Florida, to Ogunquit, Maine, health officials have issued advisories warning beachgoers about high levels of bacteria linked to fecal waste.
The US Center for Disease Control and Protection states that swimming in contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, rashes, ear infections, and other health issues, prompting advisories that discourage taking a dip.
Some closures have already gone into effect. Keyes Memorial Beach in Hyannis on Cape Cod, Benjamin’s Beach on Long Island, and stretches of Imperial Beach near San Diego were among those flagged this week. Even Hawaii’s usually pristine waters were impacted, with Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island reporting elevated bacteria levels, according to AP News.
The warnings underscore a broader problem. A report released this summer by the conservation group Environment America found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. beaches tested in 2024 had at least one day when fecal contamination levels exceeded safety standards.
The numbers varied by region: 84% of Gulf Coast beaches, 79% of West Coast beaches, 54% of East Coast beaches, and 71% of Great Lakes beaches recorded unsafe days.
More than 450 beaches were deemed potentially unsafe on at least a quarter of the days they were tested.
The root causes are often outdated sewer systems that allow untreated sewage to seep into swimming areas, said John Rumpler, Environment America’s clean water director. Severe weather events and suburban sprawl have compounded the problem by overwhelming infrastructure and reducing natural absorption of stormwater.
“These beaches are a treasure for families across New England and across the country,” Rumpler said, per CNN. “But we need to invest in infrastructure so that our own waste doesn’t end up in the water where people swim.”
Swimmers undeterred despite health risksStill, not everyone is deterred. At Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach, where advisories were issued last month, retired dentist Yaromyr Oryshkevych said he wasn’t concerned about contamination.
“I really don’t expect to be in any kind of danger,” he said, adding that he believed ocean currents dilute any pollution.
Others have had different experiences. Dana West, a federal worker also visiting Rehoboth, recalled a snorkeling trip in Mexico where his group became ill after swallowing seawater. Still, he expressed confidence that local authorities would notify the public if Delaware’s beaches became unsafe.
Yet nearby areas such as Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Beach bayside were under water advisories this week; though signs were not always posted.
Officials in North Carolina raised similar alarms in late August, when five beaches tested positive for elevated fecal bacteria after Hurricane Erin caused flooding and storm surge.
“Those storm drains carry everything,” said Erin Bryan-Millush of the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, via Fox News. “It could be really bad for someone who is immune compromised.”
With summer’s final holiday weekend underway, the choice may come down to tradition versus caution: enjoy the sun and sand, but think twice before diving in.