Officials in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington are warning swimmers to check water quality alerts after elevated bacteria, E. coli and algae concerns prompted beach closures and advisories.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Health and environmental officials in several states are urging swimmers to check local beach advisories before entering the water this summer as elevated bacteria levels and other water quality concerns prompt closures and warnings.
Beaches and lakes in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington state have recently been placed under swimming advisories or closed because of contamination concerns, including high E. coli levels, fecal bacteria, toxic blue-green algae and other hazards.
The warnings come after the Environment America Research & Policy Center reported that “61% of U.S. beaches had potentially unsafe contamination levels in 2024.”
The center said beach water can become contaminated by fecal matter from urban runoff and sewage overflows, as well as pathogens associated with factory farms.
In Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources said swimming is not recommended at Backbone Beach, Pine Lake South Beach, Geode Lake Beach, Union Grove Beach, Pleasant Creek Beach and Nine Eagles Beach because of elevated E. coli levels.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says E. coli is often harmless and is “part of a healthy intestinal tract.” However, certain strains can cause illness, especially in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of E. coli infection can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Severe cases may lead to dehydration, according to the CDC.
The Iowa DNR maintains an online beach monitoring page showing whether beaches are listed as OK for swimming, not recommended for swimming, closed, lacking sufficient data or under special status.
Massachusetts has also reported multiple beach closures this month. Officials closed several beaches because of high bacteria levels, toxic blue-green algae or other concerns, NBC Boston reported.
The affected Massachusetts beaches include Damon Pond Beach, both beaches at Cliff Pond, Cochituate State Park, College Pond, both Fearings Pond beaches, Forest River and Juniper Point.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health operates an Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard that provides hourly updates during beach season.
In New Jersey, high fecal bacteria levels led health officials to issue swimming advisories for several beaches and lakes, Fox Weather reported.
The advisories applied to Ferry and Bay, Baywyn and Bay, Wildwood and Bay, Cedar Point Beach, Beachwood Beach West, Mirror Lake, Sleepy Lagoon and Vernon Valley Lake. Officials also closed Beesley’s Point Beach.
Washington state’s official beach advisory map lists multiple locations where local health departments have issued swimming advisories because “increased levels of bacteria are present.”
Those Washington advisories include Freeland County Park/Holmes Harbor, Walker County Park, Squaxin Park, Little Squalicum Park, West Bay Park and Thea Foss Waterway. Several of the advisories are listed as permanent.
Lake Meridian Park is also closed because of high bacteria levels, the City of Kent announced.
Officials say swimmers should check local water quality postings before going to beaches, lakes or other recreational waters, especially after heavy rain, flooding, sewer overflows or runoff events.
The advisories do not necessarily mean every beach in an affected state is unsafe, but they highlight the need for swimmers to review current local conditions before entering the water.
For families, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, officials say caution is especially important because contaminated recreational water can cause gastrointestinal illness and other health problems.
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