NRDC Annual Beach Report: Closing and Advisory Days Hit Second-Highest Level in Decades

Pollution from stormwater runoff and sewage overflows continue to plague America’s beaches, which saw the second-highest number of closing and advisory days in more than two decades last year, according to the 21st annual beachwater quality report recently released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

In its 21st year, NRDC’s annual report, Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches, analyzes government data on beachwater testing results from 2010 at more than 3,000 beach testing locations nationwide. In this report, NRDC advises that the nation’s beachwater continued to suffer from serious contamination - including oil as well as human and animal waste - and that a concerted effort to control future pollution is required.

“Clean beachwater is not only good for public health, it supports healthy coastal economies that generate billions of dollars and support millions of American jobs,” said David Beckman, Director of NRDC’s Water Program in a prepared statement. “By taking steps to stop the biggest sources of pollution in the waves, we can help keep trips to beach carefree, and support our lucrative tourism industries nationwide.”

Testing the Waters focuses primarily on bacteria-related beach water quality concerns. Nearly three-quarters of the 2010 beach closings and advisories were issued because water quality monitoring revealed bacteria levels exceeding health and safety standards. Across the country, aging and poorly designed sewage treatment systems and contaminated stormwater are often to blame for beachwater pollution.

The report also provides a 5-star rating guide to 200 of the nation’s most popular beaches, evaluating them for water quality and best practices for testing and public notification. For the first time this year, NRDC awarded top performers “Superstar” status. NRDC also highlighted the top 10 “Repeat Offender” beaches with persistently poor water quality year after year. New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach State Park was included in the list of Superstars, and no New England beaches were listed in the top 10 Repeat Offenders.

To access the complete NRDC report, please visit:

NRDC: Testing the Waters 2011