Swimmers Face Shocking Reality at America’s Beaches This Summer

Clear Facts

• 61% of U.S. beaches had potentially unsafe contamination levels in 2024, according to Environment America Research & Policy Center
• Multiple states including Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington have issued beach closures and swimming advisories due to elevated bacteria levels
• Contamination sources include urban runoff, sewage overflows, and factory farm pathogens

Officials across multiple states are issuing urgent warnings for beachgoers to verify local water-quality advisories before taking a swim this summer. The alerts come as elevated bacteria levels have forced beach closures and triggered health warnings in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington state.

The scale of the problem became clear last summer when Environment America Research & Policy Center reported that 61% of U.S. beaches had potentially unsafe contamination levels in 2024. The center identified beaches contaminated with fecal matter from urban runoff and sewage overflows, as well as unhealthy pathogens from factory farms.

In Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has warned swimmers to avoid six beaches due to elevated E. coli levels: Backbone Beach, Pine Lake South Beach, Geode Lake Beach, Union Grove Beach, Pleasant Creek Beach, and Nine Eagles Beach. The Iowa DNR maintains an online beach-monitoring page where residents can check if beaches are safe for swimming, not recommended, closed, or have insufficient data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while E. coli is normally harmless and part of a healthy intestinal tract, certain strains can cause serious health problems. The most vulnerable populations include the very young, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

Massachusetts officials have closed several beaches to swimming this month due to high bacteria levels, toxic blue-green algae, and other concerns. The closures include Damon Pond Beach, both beaches at Cliff Pond, Cochituate State Park, College Pond, both Fearings Pond beaches, Forest River, and Juniper Point, according to NBC Boston.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard with data updated hourly throughout the beach season, allowing residents to make informed decisions about where to swim.

New Jersey has also been hit hard by contamination issues. Earlier this week, high fecal bacterial levels prompted health officials to issue swimming advisories at eight beaches and lakes: Ferry and Bay, Baywyn and Bay, Wildwood and Bay, Cedar Point Beach, Beachwood Beach West, Mirror Lake, Sleepy Lagoon, and Vernon Valley Lake. Officials completely closed Beesley’s Point Beach.

Washington state’s situation appears even more concerning, with some advisories listed as “permanent.” The state’s official beach advisory map warns that increased levels of bacteria are present at Freeland County Park/Holmes Harbor, Walker County Park, Squaxin Park, Little Squalicum Park, West Bay Park, and Thea Foss Waterway. Lake Meridian Park is also currently closed because of high bacteria levels, the City of Kent announced.

According to the CDC, symptoms of E. coli infection can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. In severe cases, the infection may lead to dehydration and require medical attention.

The widespread nature of these closures raises serious questions about the state of America’s water infrastructure and environmental management. Families planning summer vacations to beaches should take these warnings seriously and check local advisories before allowing children to swim.

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