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Dirty Water: Pollution At Beaches On The Rise, Study Finds
Photo by Mike Chen aka Full Time Taekwondo "Coach" via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
A new study has found an increase of pollution at beaches nationwide, according to CBS LA. Beach closures and advisories increased by 29% in 2010 compared to one year earlier, noted the report released Wednesday by the The Natural Resources Defense Council.
California reached a 5-year high with 11% percent of beaches reporting an increase in bacterial contamination. In Los Angeles County, Avalon Beach, Cabrillo Beach and Colorado Lagoon topped the list of dirty waters. Poche County Beach and Doheny State Beach were the OC's biggest offenders.
"Swimming in such pollution can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory and other illnesses."
None of the four beaches to achieve "superstar" status are located in California -- Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach in Delaware, Park Point Lafayette Community Club Beach in Minnesota, and Hampton Beach State Park in New Hampshire. The complete List Of NRDC Ratings For Popular U.S. Beaches is located here.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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