Enjoying a swim during Labor Day weekend? Beachgoers along the US coastline may encounter fecal pollution in the water.

In a concerning development, numerous beaches across the country have been issued advisories due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria, according to a report by Environment America. The report, which examines beach safety based on whether fecal bacteria levels exceed standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, found that nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day with potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination.

The contamination is often due to outdated water and sewer systems that allow contamination from sewage to reach swimming areas, according to John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney with Environment America. Other factors contributing to beach contamination include increasingly severe weather that overwhelms sewage systems and suburban sprawl that reduces the ecosystem's ability to absorb stormwater.

This week, some beaches in the Rehoboth area, including Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Beach bayside, were under water advisories. Swimmers are advised that going in the water could be risky at these North Carolina beaches, but they remain open. In late August, five beaches in North Carolina were under advisories due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Closures have occurred at some popular beach destinations, including Keyes Memorial Beach in Barnstable, Massachusetts, Benjamin's Beach on Long Island, New York, and a portion of the Imperial Beach shoreline near San Diego.

The Hawaii State Department of Health has warned of a high bacteria count at Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island. Heavy rain events this summer exacerbated the contamination problem in some areas, according to Erin Bryan-Millush, environmental program supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Hurricane Erin caused extensive erosion and storm surge in some coastal areas, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, further contributing to the contamination issue.

Despite the warnings, some beachgoers still plan to swim in potentially contaminated waters. Yaromyr Oryshkevych, a retired dentist, was not concerned about swimming at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, despite a two-day warning of elevated fecal indicator bacteria. West, a beachgoer in Delaware, assumes local authorities will inform him if there are higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria. However, it's important to note that not all water advisories are posted on public signs.

Environmental organizations in the USA are focusing on increasing monitoring, advocating for stricter pollution regulations, promoting cleanup efforts, and raising public awareness to reduce high heavy metal and bacterial contamination at coastal beaches in the coming months. The advisories discourage beachgoers from going in the water because the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, rashes, and nausea. It's crucial for everyone to prioritize beach safety and follow any advisories or closures to ensure a healthy and enjoyable beach experience.

Enjoying a swim during Labor Day weekend? Beachgoers along the US coastline may encounter fecal pollution in the water.