Beach Pollution: Toxic Water Crisis

Beach pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. It refers to the contamination of coastal environments, including lakes and oceans, by various harmful substances such as plastics, trash, sewage, pesticides, and oil. These pollutants not only degrade and destroy unique beach habitats but also pose severe health hazards to beachgoers. The impact of beach pollution on water is twofold, affecting both the water quality and the aquatic ecosystems that depend on it.

One of the primary sources of beach pollution is the discharge of untreated sewage and polluted runoff water, which contain high levels of pathogens and fecal matter. This contamination can lead to a range of illnesses in swimmers, including gastrointestinal problems, respiratory diseases, and skin, eye, and ear infections. Additionally, chemical pollution, such as an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers and animal waste, can fuel the growth of harmful algal blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen levels, block sunlight, and produce toxins that are detrimental to both aquatic life and human health.

The effects of beach pollution extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the beach. Pollutants can enter the food chain, accumulating in the tissues of seafood that humans consume. Furthermore, beach pollution contributes to climate change, and the resulting rise in sea levels poses a significant threat to coastal environments. The combination of pollution and climate change impacts can lead to the destruction of habitats and the loss of protective features like beaches and dunes, leaving coastal communities more vulnerable to flooding and storms.

Wet weather discharges

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melted snow flows over paved land and does not soak into the ground. As it travels, it picks up and accumulates pollutants, including trash, chemicals, oil, dirt, heavy metals, and organic chemicals. This type of runoff is particularly common in urban areas with large amounts of impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops. The polluted stormwater then flows directly into storm drains, rivers, lakes, and streams, eventually reaching the ocean, carrying all the contaminants with it.

Combined sewer systems (CSSs) are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the wastewater volume in a CSS can exceed its capacity, leading to overflows. These overflows, known as CSOs, discharge a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater directly into nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies. This can result in beach closures, shellfish bed closures, and aesthetic problems.

Sanitary sewer systems (SSS), on the other hand, are designed specifically for transporting industrial and domestic wastewater to treatment facilities. However, they have a limited capacity for rainwater. During heavy precipitation events, sanitary sewers can become overloaded, resulting in unintentional discharges of raw sewage, known as SSOs. These overflows can occur due to various factors, including blockages, line breaks, sewer defects, power failures, or inadequate sewer design. SSOs are one of the biggest causes of wet weather discharges, with an estimated 23,000 to 75,000 occurrences per year in the United States.

The impact of wet weather discharges on beach pollution is significant. The EPA estimates that more than 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater enter coastal waters annually, making stormwater runoff the leading cause of beach closures and advisories. Wet weather discharges introduce a range of contaminants, including raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and pollutants, into beach ecosystems. These contaminants can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health, leading to beach closures, economic losses, and health risks for swimmers and beachgoers.

Combined sewer overflows

CSOs can contain a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater, leading to beach closures, shellfish bed closures, and aesthetic problems. The discharge from CSOs can include untreated human and industrial waste, oil and grease, metals, sediment, de-icing chemicals, floating debris, and other pollutants. These overflows have resulted in degraded water quality, unsafe swimming conditions, and the spread of human pathogens and illnesses.

The impact of CSOs on beach water pollution is significant. When CSOs occur, they release a variety of pollutants into the water, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites. These pollutants can pose a risk to human health, especially for children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. In addition to health risks, CSOs can also have economic impacts, as polluted beaches can reduce property values and inhibit community economic growth.

To address the issues caused by CSOs, local, state, and federal efforts have been implemented to control or eliminate them. Regulations such as the Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 and the Clean Water Act of 1972 aim to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's water by eliminating the discharge of pollutants, including those from CSOs. Communities are also employing creative approaches, such as retrofitting stormwater basins and improving infiltration with green infrastructure, to reduce the impact of CSOs.

While CSOs continue to be a concern, the combined efforts of regulatory measures and community initiatives are working towards minimizing their impact on beach water pollution.

Sanitary sewage overflows

Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) is a condition where untreated sewage is discharged from a sanitary sewer into the environment before it reaches treatment facilities. SSOs are caused by rainfall, which is known as wet-weather overflow, and can also be caused by blockages, sewer defects, power failures, inadequate sewer design, and vandalism.

SSOs have a significant impact on public health, causing gastrointestinal illnesses, beach closures, and restrictions on fish and shellfish consumption. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are 23,000 to 75,000 SSO events in the United States each year, resulting in thousands of cases of gastrointestinal illness. The discharge contains a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater.

The EPA also provides grant money to support local beach programs' monitoring and notification efforts. Beach closures and advisories are often due to water samples indicating harmful bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites in the water. Swimmers exposed to polluted water can experience various illnesses, with children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems being the most vulnerable.

SSOs can be prevented through regular maintenance and timely upgrades to infrastructure. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides funding for communities to address SSO problems through low-interest loans.

The impact of SSOs is not limited to the United States. Developing countries, such as Venezuela, discharge a significant proportion of untreated sewage into the environment. In contrast, developed countries like the United States, Canada, Western European nations, Australia, and Japan are also struggling with the public health challenges of SSO prevention.

Human and animal waste

Animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can spill into waterways during storms, contaminating them with bacteria. This, in turn, can cause a range of illnesses for beachgoers, including gastroenteritis, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhoea, headache, or fever. Other minor illnesses associated with swimming in contaminated water include ear, eye, nose, and throat infections.

Human waste, in the form of untreated sewage, can also be released into waterways, causing a serious health risk for those who come into contact with the dirty water or sand. This can lead to various illnesses, including gastroenteritis, neurological disorders, respiratory ailments, pink eye, earaches, meningitis, and hepatitis. Children are particularly vulnerable, as they tend to swallow more water.

The impact of human and animal waste pollution on beach health is far-reaching. It not only poses risks to human health but also degrades and destroys unique beach habitats needed by animals and plants. It is essential to properly manage and treat human and animal waste to protect beach ecosystems and ensure the safety of beachgoers.

Harmful algal blooms

HABs can have a range of negative impacts. They can contaminate seafood and drinking water, leading to illnesses and even fatalities in humans and animals. For example, cyanotoxins produced by certain types of cyanobacteria can cause hay fever-like symptoms, skin rashes, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, liver or kidney damage. Pets are also vulnerable and can become ill or even die from exposure to HAB toxins.

HABs also have economic consequences. They can slow tourism, damage the environment, and impact commercial fishing and property values. For instance, a toxic bloom in the US West Coast in 2015 led to a loss of $97.5 million in Dungeness crab landings and an estimated loss of $40 million in tourism spending. HABs can also lead to increased costs for water quality monitoring, management, and treatment.

HABs are caused by a variety of factors, including nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff, leaked waste from animal feedlots, stormwater runoff, and discharges from wastewater treatment facilities. Climate change is also a contributing factor, as it increases the frequency and duration of droughts, leading to higher nitrogen levels in rivers and promoting algal growth.

While there is currently no way to stop a HAB once it starts, scientists are researching various methods to control and prevent them. Some potential approaches include aerating the water with tiny bubbles, using chemicals or bacteria to halt algal growth, and binding the algae with clay to make it sink and collect excess nutrients. Additionally, early detection and forecasting systems, such as NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring System, play a crucial role in warning communities and protecting public health.

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