Pollution on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast
Coastal Preserves
Photo courtesy of Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality 
Beach Pollution: How Big is the Problem?
The Primary Causes of Beach Pollution
What Are Common Contaminants of Beach Water?
Monitoring and What You Can Do to Prevent Beach Pollution
Quick Facts
Beach Pollution: How Big is the Problem?
Beach pollution is a problem in every coastal state. In
the year 2002, beach pollution caused at least 12,184 closings and
swimming advisories at ocean, bay, Great lakes, and some freshwater
beaches. This pollution is hazardous to the environment, and swimming in
contaminated beach waters may be dangerous to ones health.
Additionally, these closings and swimming advisories may have impacts to
local economies that rely heavily on beach-goers. Beach pollution is
usually infrequent or confined to local areas. Based on the number of
nationwide beach closings and swimming advisories, beach pollution is a
persistent problem.
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The Primary Causes of Beach Pollution
Most U.S. beach closings result from high levels of
harmful microorganisms found in untreated or partially treated sewage
(most of which enters the water from combined sewer overflows, sanitary
sewer overflows, and malfunctioning sewage treatment plants). Heavy
rainfall can overload sewer systems which carry raw sewage to sewage
treatment plants. When flows exceed the capacity of the system, sewers
can overflow and discharge untreated sewage from manholes and bypasses
at pump stations and sewage treatment plants. The discharges flow into
local waterways and pollute the water. Rainwater can also pick up
pollutants as it washes over land, and boost the overall volume of storm
water and polluted runoff that reaches coastal waters. Another
significant source of beach water pollution is untreated storm water
runoff from cities and rural areas. Additional local sources of
pollution in beach waters are boating wastes and malfunctioning septic
systems. Severe natural events such as hurricanes and floods may
contribute to beach water pollution. In many cases, the sources of beach
water pollution have not been tracked down. The vast majority of
nationwide closings and advisories in 2002 (87%) were issued because
monitors detected bacteria associated with fecal contamination; however,
the source could not be identified.
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What Are Common Contaminants of Beach Water?
Polluted stormwater runoff and untreated sewage released
into the water can expose swimmers to bacteria,
viruses, and protozoan. These pathogens (or
disease carrying organisms) can be present at or
near the site where polluted discharges enter
the water. Swimming-related illnesses are
typically minor in nature. They usually require
little or no treatment and have no long-term
health effects, but they can cause significant
discomfort. The most common such illness is
gastroenteritis. Its symptoms include nausea,
vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache, and
fever. Other minor illnesses commonly spread by
contaminated beach water include eye, ear, nose,
and throat infections. In waters that are highly
polluted, more serious diseases like dysentery,
hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever may be
contracted. Most swimmers are exposed to
waterborne pathogens by swallowing the water.
Some infections (such as skin and eye
infections) can be contracted from direct
exposure to polluted water. In rare cases,
swimmers can develop illnesses or infections
from exposure to polluted water through an open
wound. To reduce your chances of becoming ill
from swimming at a public beach, always be aware
of any closures or advisories, choose swimming
sites in less developed areas with good water
circulation, avoid swimming at beaches with
visible discharge pipes or at urban beaches
after a heavy rainfall, and, because most
swimmers are exposed to pathogens by swallowing
the water, swimming without submerging your head
will help prevent many illnesses.
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Monitoring and What You Can Do to Prevent Beach Pollution
Without monitoring, there is no way to guarantee that a beach is free of pollution. The frequency of monitoring is related to the risk of pollution from sewage and polluted runoff, and the extent of beach use.
What You Can Do to Prevent Beach Pollution
Pollution prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce beach water pollution. Large-scale activities, such as the Mississippi Coastal Clean-Up, are organized by the state and other environmental organizations. Individual pollution prevention efforts include conserving water, keeping septic systems properly maintained, disposing of boat sewage in onshore sanitary facilities, and using natural fertilizers. These can be a big help in reducing beach water pollution.
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- In 2002, beach pollution prompted at least 12,814 closings and swimming advisories at ocean, bay, Great Lakes, and some freshwater beaches.
- Storm water and polluted runoff are potential problems at more than half (1,383) of all reported beaches with information on pollution sources, and 46% (1,152) report sewage as a pollution source.
- Beach pollution is usually infrequent and confined to local areas.
- Dirty runoff and storm water (led to more than 3,576 closings and advisories nationwide) and sewage spills and overflows (led to more than 1,390 closings and advisories nationwide) are the most frequently identified pollution sources.
- Rain is often a contributing factor to beach water pollution.
- The majority (87%) of closings and advisories in 2002 were issued after monitoring revealed the presence of bacteria associated with fecal contamination (source unknown in most cases).
- Swimming-related illnesses are usually not severe or life threatening, but can cause significant discomfort. Young children, the elderly, and people with impaired immune systems are at more of a risk than healthy, mid-aged people.
- Gastroenteritis (symptoms = diarrhea and vomiting) is the most common waterborne illness.
- A recent Southern California study revealed that people who swim close to flowing storm drains were 50% more likely to develop a variety of symptoms than those who swim further away from the same drain.
- Simple ways individuals can help to clean their local beaches include conserving water, using natural fertilizers, keeping septic systems functioning properly, disposing of boat wastes appropriately, and supporting laws that promote beach water monitoring and cleanup of pollution sources.
Top Our thanks to our information sources:
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
and
http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/