Despite some dramatic cleanups, closings still occur too often.
Most closings are due to contamination from untreated or partially treated sewage.
This often happens during heavy rains, when combined storm and sanitary sewers overload and discharge into lakeshore areas. Swimming in these contaminated waters can lead to illness or infection. In 1997, EPA launched a new beaches-focused program to strengthen water quality standards, improve access to beach information, and develop better prediction tools for contamination.