Some towns and counties in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia and Wisconsin do not always close beaches when water quality standards are violated. Most towns and counties in Hawaii, Rhode Island and South Carolina issue advisories and closures inconsistently. In September 2000 Congress took a big step toward protecting the health of beachgoers by passing legislation that will ensure consistent national health standards for beachwater in conjunction with comprehensive monitoring and public notification programs. Ultimately, swimmers will not be adequately protected until pollution sources are cleaned up. Congressional funding of the Clean Water Action Plan proposed by the Clinton administration would enable the EPA and the states to do a better job of cleaning up pollution sources in addition to monitoring the effects of beach pollution.
Individuals can also help clean up beach pollution.
Simple measures such as conserving water, redirecting runoff from roofs and driveways to lawns and gardens, using natural fertilizers such as compost for gardens, maintaining septic systems, and properly disposing of household toxics, used motor oil and boating wastes can reduce the amount of pollution in coastal waters. Each year we list Beach Bums, beaches or entire states that lack regular monitoring and proper public notification, and Beach Buddies, beaches or states that monitor regularly, use the EPA's health standards, and notify the public when those standards are exceeded. These beaches monitor their beachwater at least once a week, use EPA's recommended bacteria standard, always close or issue an advisory if the EPA standard is exceeded, and have few, if any, advisories or closings. These states either have no regular monitoring of ocean or bay beachwater for swimmer safety, or despite some monitoring, do not have adequate closure or public notification procedures to protect the public when health standards are exceeded. A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches , an August 2000 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.