Dozens of beaches contaminated by fecal material during the labor holidays

Millions of Americans heading for shore for the holiday weekend meet warning signs instead of waves.

From New England to California, public health officials have reported dozens of beaches for high levels of fecal bacteria, urging swimmers to stay outside the water.

Notices, affecting coastal stretching of Massachusetts, New York, California and even Hawaii, cite dangerous concentrations of E. Coli and enterococci, bacteria linked to wastewater and the runoff of storms. Exposure can cause stomach diseases, rashes and ear infections, warn those responsible.

The problem is not new.

A recent America environment report revealed that 61% of the US beaches recorded at least one day of dangerous bacterial levels last year, with hundreds exceeding safe thresholds on a quarter of the days they were tested. Aging sewer systems, heavy rains and rapid coastal development continue to subject water quality.

Local authorities recommend avoiding swimming for at least 72 hours after storms, when runoff is most serious. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are faced with the greatest risk of illness.

The closures highlight a national challenge: to protect recreational waters while balancing public demand. Health experts say that without significant investment in infrastructure, the cycle of opinions and closures will probably not end.

So what beaches are closed?

• Northeast and east coast:

  • Keyes Memorial Beach in Hyannis, Massachusetts (CAPE COD) is closed for public security.

  • Benjamin beach, Bay Shore, New York, Long Island was also closed.

  • The beaches along the Coast of Crystal River, in Florida, in Ogunquit, in Maine, are being counsel due to the risk of water disease.

• Mid-Atlantic:

  • In North Carolina, five beaches displayed warnings following high bacteria readings, although no full closure has been confirmed.

• South coast and Gulf:

  • McFaddin Beach (which is part of McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge) near Sabine Pass, in Texas, remains under an opinion of bacteria after the tests revealed levels of Enterococcus above the thresholds of EPA safe.

• West and peaceful coast:

  • Portions of Imperial Beach in the San Diego region have restrictions in place. Other beaches in southern California such as Silver Strand, Coronado, Topanga Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica are also in the course of advice or partial closure.

  • In Hawaii, Kahaluu beach park reported high levels of bacteria, causing a health alert.

Just another summer closure

This is not the first time that summer has ended with a note of prudence.

During the holidays of July 4 earlier this year, many beaches have already been closed in the midst of similar fears of the contamination of E. Coli and enterococci.

Over the past two years, beaches closings due to water contamination has been frequent, especially around the main holiday weekends and during periods of strong precipitation or environmental stress.

How to stay safe during the beach contamination

Health managers advise to skip surfing for at least 72 hours after high precipitation, when contaminants are the most concentrated. It is also wise to avoid water which seems cloudy, discolored or which has a too strong smell. Those who are most at risk include children, the elderly and people with compromise immune systems.