The number of U.S. beaches declared unsafe for swimming reached a record last year, with more than 25,000 cases where shorelines were closed or prompted health advisories, an environmental group reported on Tuesday.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, which compiled the report from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data, said the likely culprit was sewage and contaminated runoff from water treatment systems.

"Aging and poorly designed sewage and storm water systems hold much of the blame for beach water pollution," the group said in a statement. "The problem was compounded by record rainfall, which added to the strain on already overloaded infrastructure."

Other factors include urban sprawl in coastal areas, which destroys wetlands and other natural buffers like dunes and beach grass that could otherwise filter out pollution, the group said.

In its 17th annual report on beach water quality, the group found the number of no-swim days at 3,500 U.S. beaches doubled from 2005 to 2006 along the oceans, bays and Great Lakes.

The beaches at highest risk are those that are most popular, close to pollution sources or both. Of those high-risk beaches, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Rhode Island and Minnesota ranked lowest for failing to meet national health standards.

The report is available online at (www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/titinx.asp).

This have been on my mind real recently. We just got back from a California trip, where it took us on a journey down through Huntington Beach, Imperial Beach (way south in San Diego) and Mission Bay area. I have known the beaches are polluted for years and never have been impressed with the waters appearance in Southern California. The oceans power is amazing, the size of water inspires me. While at the same time it is so sad to see it's conditions do to sewer drainage and rain run-offs (which the polluted grounds/garbage are washed into the oceans).

Look up just about anywhere and you will find info. on locations... many all around our world. It says that California tests their waters for high levels of contamination... there was a sign at Hungtington Beach warning people "No swimming" due to high contaminates and the high possibility of illness.

I remember wishing to be an Oceanographer when I was little... it is sad and an unimaginable problem and longtime problem at that. Too much use, too many people... and the earth just cannot handle the damage all on it's own.

I have some pictures I can send you later if you wish.

~Hugs Mach.

FreeSpirit said:

I do wish

thats sad.

i thought they closed beaches at times because of certain high bateria counts?