US Officials Close Beaches in 4 States Over High Bacteria Levels
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 20
US Officials Close Beaches in 4 States Over High Bacteria Levels
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 20
Summary
Multiple states have shut beaches or warned against swimming as elevated bacteria levels triggered summer health alerts, with Iowa alone advising against swimming at six beaches.
E. coli drove several of the warnings, while Massachusetts also cited toxic blue-green algae; New Jersey issued advisories at eight beaches and lakes and closed Beesley’s Point Beach.
Washington state’s advisory map lists six beaches with elevated bacteria, several under permanent swimming advisories, and Lake Meridian Park is currently closed.
Environment America said 61% of U.S. beaches had potentially unsafe contamination levels in 2024, linking pollution to fecal matter from urban runoff, sewage overflows and factory-farm pathogens.