Beachgoers risk exposure to fecal matter during the Labor Day weekend at beaches across the U.S. coastline.

In late August, five North Carolina beaches were under advisories due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria, a concern that extends beyond the southeastern coast. Heavy rain events this summer have exacerbated the contamination problem in some areas, prompting warnings to beachgoers.

These advisories discourage swimming, as the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, rashes, and nausea. Storm drains, carrying contaminated water, pose a particular risk for immune-compromised individuals.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) published a 2024 study on fecal contamination at U.S. beaches, reporting that 135 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25% of tested days. In fact, nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day with potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination.

Environment America assesses beach safety by examining whether fecal bacteria levels exceed standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This week, many beaches in the United States, including some in Rehoboth, Delaware, and parts of the Gulf Coast, West Coast, and East Coast, are under advisories due to unsafe levels of fecal contamination.

The main cause of this contamination is outdated water and sewer systems that allow contamination from sewage to reach swimming areas. Other factors contributing to beach contamination include severe weather and suburban sprawl that reduces the ecosystem's ability to absorb stormwater.

John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney with Environment America, stated that investments are needed to ensure human waste does not contaminate swimming areas. Erin Bryan-Millush, the environmental program supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, echoes this sentiment.

Not all advisories are posted on public signs, making it essential for beachgoers to stay informed. This week, there have been closures at 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.

Despite these concerns, not all beachgoers are deterred. West, a beachgoer in Rehoboth, Delaware, does not have concerns about the level of fecal and bacterial matter. However, it is crucial for beachgoers to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to protect their health.

The Gulf Coast has 84% of its beaches exceeding the standard at least once, followed by 79% for West Coast beaches, 54% for East Coast beaches, and 71% for Great Lakes beaches. With more than 450 beaches potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25 percent of the days tested, it is clear that action is needed to ensure the safety of our nation's beaches.

Beachgoers risk exposure to fecal matter during the Labor Day weekend at beaches across the U.S. coastline.