| Across the country, the number of closing and advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches reached more than 20,000 for the fourth consecutive year, confirming that our nation's beaches continue to suffer from serious water pollution that puts swimmers at risk.
"When families head to the beach this summer, they shouldn't have to worry about swimming in polluted water that can make them sick, said J.R. Tolbert, Advocate for Environment Virginia. "We applaud Virginia for continuing to improve the quality of our beaches."
Using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the report, Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches, confirms that our nation's beachwaters continue to suffer from serious contamination - including human and animal waste - that can make people sick. The report tallied 29 beach closing and health advisory days in 2008 in Virginia, a 42 percent decline from the year before.
While the report found a 10 percent decrease in closing and advisory days at beaches nationwide from 2007, it reveals this drop was the result of dry conditions in many parts of the country and decreased funding for water monitoring in some states last year, rather than a sign of large-scale improvement. The decline follows two years of record-high closing and advisory days and the primary pollution source, stormwater runoff after heavy rains, continues to be a serious problem that has not been addressed.
"When the rains return," said Nancy Stoner, NRDC Water Program Co-Director, "so will pollution, forcing beaches to issue more closings and advisory days."
For the first time, the report this year explores the effects of global warming on beachwater quality, revealing that global warming is expected to make pollution worse. The combined effects of temperature increases, and more frequent and intense rainstorms, will lead to increased stormwater runoff, sewer pollution and disease-causing pathogens in nearby waterways. Specifically, global warming is anticipated to influence the presence of pathogens that cause stomach flu, diarrhea and neurological problems in America's beachwater.
Beachwater pollution makes swimmers vulnerable to a range of waterborne illnesses including stomach flu, skin rashes, pinkeye, ear, nose and throat problems, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory ailments, neurological disorders and other serious health problems. For senior citizens, small children, and people with weak immune systems, the results can be fatal.
The best way to protect swimmers from beachwater pollution is to prevent it, according to Environment Virginia. Federal, state and local governments can make this a priority by requiring better controls on stormwater and sewage, the two largest known sources of beachwater pollution. A key solution is to utilize low impact development techniques in communities to retain and filter rainwater where it falls, letting it soak back into the ground rather than running off into waterways. This includes strategically placed rain gardens in yards, tree boxes on city sidewalks, green roofs that use absorbent vegetation on top of buildings, and permeable pavement that allows water to penetrate the material, instead of asphalt or concrete.
The Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act (H.R. 2903/S. 878) pending in Congress would provide money for more beachwater sampling and require the use of faster testing methods so people get timely information about whether it is safe to swim.
"We urge Senators Warner and Webb to support the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act and ensure America's beaches are tested for pollution quickly enough to protect public health," said Tolbert.
Additionally, the American Clean Energy and Security Act that recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives will curb global warming pollution and help communities prepare for further impacts of global warming on coastal communities such as flooding, sea level rise, increased stormwater pollution and sewer overflows.
For the full report, go to www.nrdc.org/beaches. |
