Map Shows States Closing Beaches Over Fecal Bacteria on 4th of July

Beaches in at least seven states have been closed or issued health advisories due to elevated bacteria levels ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend.

States impacted by the warnings include California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, and New Hampshire, according to notices from local health authorities.

Why It Matters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that swallowing water contaminated with bacteria can make you ill, including causing gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea.

It can also cause infections if you enter the water with an open wound or cut, especially from a piercing or surgery.

According to a recent poll by YouGov, 14 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the 4th of July weekend by going to a beach or park.

What To Know

As of Thursday, beach area warnings were in place for eight locations in Los Angeles County, California, including:

Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove
The Bel Air Bay Club at Will Rogers State Beach
Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey
Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach
Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, 50 feet west of the pier
Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, east of the Casino Arch (Steps Beach)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement: “These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.”

Visitors were cautioned to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the water.

Water pollution — File image. A dead fish lies in algae-filled water in Lake Erie in Ohio in 2017.

Andy Morrison/The Blade/AP

In New York, at least four beaches were closed to swimming across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Biltmore Beach, Broadway Beach, Crescent Beach, and Ronkonkoma beach.

In Massachusetts, more than a dozen beach closures were in effect due to “bacterial exceedance,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

In Washington’s King County, visitors at Houghton, Meydenbauer Bay, and Pritchard Island beaches were advised to stay out of the water due to high bacteria levels.

At least eight advisories were issued in Illinois in recent weeks, NBC News reported.

High bacteria levels also prompted closures at three Michigan beaches at Camp Ohiyesa, Eagle Lake Road, and Orchard Lake Country Club.

Meanwhile in New Hampshire, fecal bacteria advisories were issued on Tuesday for Sandbornton Town Beach and FB Argue Recreation Area Beach.

While the above locations were closed due to bacterial contamination, not all specified they were caused by fecal bacteria.

What People Are Saying

The Environmental Protection Agency says on its website: “Swimming, diving, or wading in water contaminated with fecal bacteria can result in gastrointestinal illness (such as diarrhea or vomiting), respiratory illness, and other health problems.

“Skin, ear, eye, sinus, and wound infections can also be caused by contact with contaminated water.”