Beach Water: Polluted Or Pristine?

Beach water pollution is a pressing issue that poses environmental, economic, and health risks. It is caused by a combination of chemical and trash pollution, with sources ranging from urban runoff, sewage overflows, and factory farms to vessel discharges and climate change. This pollution can lead to beach closures, harm to wildlife, and illnesses in swimmers, with an estimated 57 million Americans falling ill each year from swimming in contaminated waters. While the problem is widespread, affecting beaches from Long Island to the Great Lakes, efforts are being made to address it, with calls for funding, improved infrastructure, and stricter policies to ensure clean and safe beaches.

Fecal contamination

The presence of fecal indicator bacteria, such as enterococci or E. coli, in beach water is a significant health concern. Swimming in fecal-contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal issues, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rashes, and even more severe illnesses. Children, older individuals, and those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems are at the highest risk of experiencing adverse health effects from fecal contamination.

To protect yourself from the potential dangers of fecal-contaminated beach water, it is recommended to avoid swimming immediately after rainfall, as stormwater can carry high levels of pollutants. Additionally, maintaining good hygiene practices, such as regularly washing your hands and rinsing off after swimming, can help reduce the risk of getting sick. Checking with local health departments or beach notification systems can also provide valuable information about the safety of the beach you plan to visit.

While enjoying the beach, it is also important to be mindful of your impact on the environment. Properly disposing of trash, avoiding littering, and following guidelines for boating and wastewater discharge can help reduce the pollution that contributes to fecal contamination and other environmental issues affecting beaches.

Chemical and trash pollution

Beach pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash. It occurs when human activities, such as agricultural practices and poor waste management, lead to the contamination of coastal environments. This not only causes environmental damage and economic impacts but also affects the health of all organisms, including humans, wildlife, and marine life.

Chemical Pollution

Chemical pollution, also known as nutrient pollution, occurs when human activities introduce harmful substances into coastal environments. One significant source of chemical pollution is the use of fertilizers in agriculture. Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can run off into waterways and eventually flow into coastal areas. An increase in these chemicals can promote the growth of algae, leading to a phenomenon known as harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen levels. Additionally, they release toxins that are harmful to both wildlife and humans, potentially causing various illnesses.

Another source of chemical pollution is stormwater runoff, which occurs when rain or melted snow flows over paved land and accumulates pollutants. This polluted water then makes its way into coastal environments, carrying with it chemicals such as gasoline, motor oil, and antifreeze. Improperly maintained boat engines can also release oil and gas pollution into the water, contributing to the overall chemical contamination of beach waters.

Trash Pollution

Trash pollution encompasses all manufactured products, such as plastic, that end up in coastal environments. It is estimated that 80% of trash comes from land sources, including littering, storm winds, and poor waste management practices. Trash pollution not only ruins the aesthetic beauty of beaches but also poses a serious health risk to both humans and marine life. It can lead to beach closures, affect marine life, and cause illnesses in swimmers. Trash pollution can include litter left by beachgoers, such as cigarette butts, food wrappers, and plastic bottles, as well as residential or commercial waste that is not properly disposed of.

Combined Effects

The combination of chemical and trash pollution has severe consequences for beach ecosystems and human health. Polluted beaches can lead to public health concerns, resulting in beach closures to protect swimmers from potential illnesses. Additionally, the accumulation of trash and chemicals can degrade and destroy unique beach habitats, negatively impacting the plants and animals that depend on them.

Sewage overflows

Combined sewer systems, which collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe, are particularly vulnerable to overflows. When the capacity of these systems is exceeded, untreated feces and industrial waste can spill from emergency relief valves, as seen in the case of Brooklyn's sewers, where sewage overflowed into the Upper New York Bay and Gowanus Canal.

Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) are another type of discharge that can lead to beach pollution. SSOs occur when there are blockages, line breaks, or defects in the sewer system, allowing stormwater and groundwater to overload the system. These overflows can result in the release of raw sewage into the environment, impacting nearby beaches.

The impact of sewage overflows on beach water pollution is significant. It can lead to beach closures, shellfish bed closures, and aesthetic problems. More importantly, it poses a severe health risk to humans. Exposure to contaminated water can cause various illnesses, including upset stomachs, neurological disorders, respiratory ailments, pink eye, earaches, meningitis, and hepatitis.

To prevent sewage overflows and reduce beach water pollution, it is essential to invest in infrastructure upgrades and modernization of sewer systems. This includes repairing and upgrading aging sewer systems to handle growing populations and increasing rainwater runoff. Additionally, implementing green infrastructure projects can help absorb rainwater and reduce the risk of overflows. By addressing these issues, we can work towards ensuring that our beaches are safe and clean for everyone to enjoy.

Climate change

Sea-level rise and erosion pose a significant threat to beaches and their ability to protect coastal communities and habitats. As sea levels continue to rise, beaches are at risk of being inundated, leading to the loss of vital habitats for sea animals, birds, and other species. This loss of natural protection for coastal areas leaves them more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as increased extreme weather events and storm surges.

Additionally, climate change contributes to the warming of water temperatures, which can promote the growth of harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms can be toxic to marine life and harmful to humans, further degrading beach water quality. Warmer temperatures also increase the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to pollution, as higher temperatures can enhance the toxicity of certain pollutants.

The impacts of climate change on beach water pollution are evident in California, where coastal counties experienced 31% more rainfall during the winter reporting period than the 10-year average. This led to a flush of bacteria and pollutants into the ocean through storm drains, causing numerous sewage spills and negatively impacting water quality. The combination of worsening climate change and aging infrastructure has resulted in a decline in beach water quality in the state, with Heal the Bay's annual Beach Report Card showing a drop in grades for California beaches in 2023-2024.

To address the issue of beach water pollution exacerbated by climate change, it is crucial to invest in resilient infrastructure, improve wastewater management, and mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. By implementing preventive and reparative measures, we can protect the health and economic well-being of coastal communities and preserve the delicate marine ecosystems that depend on clean and healthy beach environments.

Health risks

Beach water pollution poses a range of health risks to those who come into contact with it. The health risks associated with polluted beach water vary in severity and can be caused by a number of different factors.

One of the most common illnesses associated with swimming in polluted water is gastroenteritis (gastro). This illness can be caused by swimming in water that has been polluted by sewage, which can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites. These pathogens can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhoea, headache, and fever. In addition to gastroenteritis, other minor illnesses associated with swimming in polluted water include ear, eye, nose, and throat infections.

In some cases, beach water pollution can lead to more serious health risks. For example, a 2017 study found that MRSA and S. Aureus, antibiotic-resistant staph infections, were present in the sand and water at both saltwater and freshwater beaches. Exposure to sewage-polluted water, even swallowing a small amount, may induce sickness. Those with weaker immune systems, including children and the elderly, are at a greater risk of developing swimming-related illnesses and should take extra care to avoid polluted beach water.

The sources of beach water pollution can be diverse and vary from natural to human-made causes. Natural sources include water from rain or snowmelt, which can cause certain types of sewers to overflow and discharge a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater into nearby waterways. Human-made sources of beach water pollution include motor vehicle emissions and wood heaters, and discharges from vessels such as boats and ships, which can release trash, fishing gear, ballast water, and bilge water into the water.

It is important to be vigilant when visiting the beach and to avoid swimming if the water appears to be polluted. Signs of poor water quality include water that is discoloured, murky, or has an unpleasant smell. By being aware of the risks and taking appropriate precautions, beachgoers can help to protect themselves from the potential health risks associated with polluted beach water.

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