Summer Bummer: Several Popular Beaches Close Due to Elevated Bacteria Levels

It has been the ultimate summer bummer for many beachgoers over the last few weeks. Elevated bacteria levels have prompted officials to close several beaches and lakes across the U.S. in recent weeks. Here is a look at some of the most notable closures.

NYC to Cape Cod: Bacteria Force East Coast Beach Closures

Sunday marked the first day of the astronomical summer. However, some beachgoers were greeted with closure signs when they arrived at their favorite places to relax and soak up the sun.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these closures happen when waters are contaminated with bacteria known to sicken people and pets. The EPA said that "Swimming, diving or wading in water contaminated with fecal bacteria can result in gastrointestinal illness (such as diarrhea or vomiting), respiratory illness and other health problems." In addition, "Skin, ear, eye, sinus and wound infections can also be caused by contact with contaminated water," according to the EPA.

There are a number of things that can cause this beach water pollution. Pet waste, sewer overflows and leaking infrastructure, storm runoff, and failing septic systems are all to blame for bacterial invasions.

Several New York City beaches were forced to close after water samples identified elevated levels of enterococci bacteria. The impacted sites were spread across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island Sound, and along the Big Apple's southern coastline. Officials issued the advisories after routine testing found that bacteria levels were running above state health standards, blaming runoff from recent storms and the aging sewage system as the culprits.

Up the road in Massachusetts, at least two dozen beaches were closed over the Father's Day weekend. Too much cyanobacteria has invaded the Commonwealth's beaches, leading to the closure of several popular summer vacation spots up and down the coast. The Cape Cod communities of Plymouth, Brewster, and Provincetown were among the parts of coastline that were forced to close to beachgoers. The North Shore beach towns of Salem, Rockport, Manchester, and Gloucester were also among the casualties.

Advisories were issued at some of the swimming areas located farther inland in central and western Massachusetts, including locations in Pittsfield, Templeton, and Natick. Many of the beaches in Boston proper were also impacted by the bacteria.

Elsewhere on the East Coast, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) routinely tests the 195 ocean and 25 bay stations that dot the landscape of the coastline. The samples specifically look for Enterococci, a bacterium that is found in human and animal waste. These levels help experts determine the water quality so that they can make informed decisions about whether to close the shores to visitors.

High fecal bacteria levels prompted swimming advisories at eight beaches and lakes in New Jersey. One of these locations was shut down completely.  The impacted locations were mostly along the Jersey Shore, an area that tourists flock to this time of the year.

Experts note that while Enterococci bacteria is not generally a root cause of illness in humans, their detection often means that there are more harmful viruses or bacteria circulating in the water. As such, the Enterococci bacteria serves as the canary in the coal mine.

In addition to the advisories along the Jersey Shore in Cape May and Ocean counties, officials also posted warnings at inland swimming destinations scattered around the state.

Iowa Lakes and Seattle Beaches Also Hit by Bacteria Closures

Despite being landlocked, the Midwest is also dealing with numerous beach and lake closures. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that traces of E. Coli have resulted in unsafe swimming conditions for eight lakefront beaches in the state. The affected sites include Backbone Beach in the northeastern corner of the Hawkeye State, Beeds Lake in north-central Iowa, Black Hawk Lake in the west, and Lake Darling on the southeastern edge.

E. coli is often a sign that more serious fecal contamination is present in the water. Swimmers who ignore the advisories put themselves at risk of skin rashes, ear infections, stomach bugs, and a host of respiratory issues.

The Pacific Northwest is also dealing with its fair share of beach plan disruptions. In Washington state, King County officials shut down several areas in the Seattle metro area due to elevated bacteria levels. Most of the closures have been clustered around Lake Washington, including the communities of Seattle proper, Kirkland, Renton, and Kent.

Officials said that the closures are expected to last for at least one week. Until follow-up testing demonstrates that the water is safe for swimmers, residents and tourists are being urged to choose land-based activities. Unfortunately for those in Seattle, the city is forecast to see a brief heat wave this week. Temperatures will peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs that approach the 90-degree mark, a rarity for this part of the country even during the summer months.

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