Is Your Favorite Beach Safe? How to Check for Contaminated Water and Closures

Do your research before your next water adventure

two blue umbrellas erected on a beach next to a beach closure sign

In recent weeks, beaches have had to close because of elevated bacteria levels in the water. Before you go to the beach, follow these tips to ensure your safety.

Getty Images

Andre Ellington,

Updated August 05, 2025

AARP

Published July 29, 2025

/ Updated August 05, 2025

Summer is in full swing, which means most people are seeking relaxation near water. Every year, Americans visit beaches to cool off and enjoy the sun. Summer vacation is one of the top motivations for domestic trips for travelers 50-plus, according to a recent AARP Travel Trends survey. Nearly 280 million people visited a beach in 2024, according to a report by members of the United States Lifesaving Association.

In recent weeks, the Santa Monica Pier in California, Ronkonkoma Beach in New York and other beaches across the U.S. have had advisories or closed because of elevated bacteria levels in the water, Newsweek reported. Other states reporting major closures include Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan and Texas.

A July 2025 report from environmental advocacy group Environment America revealed that 453 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming because of bacteria levels on at least 25 percent of days tested in 2024.

Here are five ways to determine whether your local beach is safe from contamination.

1. Check your local beach for closures

Before heading out to put your feet in warm sand, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website to find out if your local beach is closed or has an advisory. State and local government agencies decide whether water conditions are safe for the public.

Elevated levels of bacteria, including fecal bacteria, in the water are the most common causes of contamination.

Fecal bacteria ends up oceans, lakes and rivers when rainwater runoff contains animal waste. The EPA reports that swimming, diving or wading in water contaminated with fecal bacteria, or digging in contaminated beach sand, can cause various illnesses, including gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and vomiting, respiratory issues and infections of the skin, ears, eyes, sinuses and wounds.

A 2024 study published in Maturitas found that water pollution negatively affects the health of older adults. It can cause hormonal changes, accelerate aging and lead to health issues such as diarrhea, skin diseases, malnutrition and even cancer.

Pay attention to the reason for the beach closure: Is it for maintenance, safety concerns or bad weather? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Ocean Service explains common reasons for beach closures include heavy rain, harmful algal blooms and sewage or chemical spills from known sources.

2. Check water quality

Water quality affects whether people visit the beach. Algae are tiny plants that live in salt water and fresh water. When they grow too much, they become algal blooms, which can harm fish, marine mammals, birds and humans.

Red tide is a common toxic algal bloom that turns the ocean red. It comes from a microscopic alga called Karenia brevis. The toxins can make the surrounding air hard to breathe and cause eye, throat and nose irritation for most beachgoers, according to NOAA. In the event of red tide, you should see warning signs posted at monitored beaches about the risk of illness from contact with the water.

3. Don’t swim immediately after severe weather

It’s best to not go to the beach after a heavy rainstorm because runoff pollution can contaminate the water. Polluted runoff can cause dangerous microorganisms to form.

“Most beach closures are due to excessive runoff or sewage inputs due to large storm events,” says Tracy Mincer, associate professor of biology and biogeochemistry at Florida Atlantic University.

NOAA advises people to avoid swimming at beaches where discharge pipes are visible after heavy rain, as they can release harmful substances such as motor oil, pesticides and trash into the water.

John Rumpler, the clean water director for Environment America, says the bacteria problem could worsen because paving over and building on natural landscapes means “there’s less places for stormwater to go.”

“When we have heavy rains, if everything is paved over — in big-box stores in parking lots, highways and sprawling development — then instead of the rain being able to be absorbed through the soil, it’s going to sweep off of all of those impervious surfaces with all the grease and oil and bacteria and animal waste, and run it right off into the nearest river or stream that will often flow to a nearby beach,” he explains.

4. Check water conditions

Water conditions are crucial for staying safe at the beach. Discharges from ships and boats can leak into the water and affect its temperature and quality. Carbon dioxide levels (acidification) and oxygen content also influence the condition of the water.

Mincer says a bacterium that has recently made news is the flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus, “a marine opportunistic pathogen, which can be in higher numbers as ocean waters warm in summer months. V. vulnificus infections are rare (through the ingestion of uncooked shellfish or, to a lesser extent, swimming in the ocean with an open wound). Occurrences of these bacteria are known to increase after large storms and hurricanes.”

According to NBC News, four people in Florida died in July from V. vulnificus. There have been 13 cases in the state this year.

In July, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 17 cases of V. vulnificus in the state this year, resulting in four deaths.

Another threat to water quality is melioidosis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that melioidosis is a potentially deadly disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium found in contaminated soil and water.

5. Check for previous contamination

It’s important to double-check whether the beach has been exposed to contaminants before. The EPA has a map of beaches that have had health advisories in the past.

Mincer suggests being extra careful on the beach if you have or get a cut or wound, in case bacteria is present in the water.

“It is always a good idea to not swim in the ocean with an open cut,” he says. “If a cut does occur during swimming, be sure to clean and disinfect it thoroughly. If any signs of swelling or redness appear, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.”

Editor’s note: This story was originally published July 29, 2025. It has been updated to reflect new information.

%{postComment}%