NRDC’s annual analysis of water quality and public notification data at coastal U.S. beaches found that the number of
beach closing and advisory days in 2011 reached the third-highest level in the 22-year history of our report, totaling
23,481 days (a 3 percent decrease from 2010). More than two-thirds of closings and advisories were issued because
bacteria levels in beachwater exceeded public health standards, potentially indicating the presence of human or animal
waste in the water. The portion of all monitoring samples that exceeded national recommended health standards for
designated beach areas remained stable at 8 percent in 2011, compared with 8 percent in 2010 and 7 percent for the
four previous years. In addition, the number of beaches monitored in 2011 increased slightly (2 percent) from a five-year
low in 2010. The largest known source of pollution was stormwater runoff (47 percent, compared with 36 percent last
year). The 2011 results confirm that our nation’s beaches continue to experience significant water pollution that puts
swimmers and local economies at risk.

NRDC Guide to Vacation Beach Closures PDF

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