Beaches across the US are facing swimming caution advisories during the Labor Day holiday weekend due to water quality concerns caused by elevated levels of bacteria associated with fecal waste.
Beaches from Crystal River, Florida, to Ogunquit, Maine, have been under advisories this week, discouraging beachgoers from entering the water because the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, rashes and nausea.
Closures at some of the most popular beach destinations in the US this week include Keyes Memorial Beach in the Cape Cod village of Hyannis in Barnstable, Massachusetts, Benjamin’s Beach on Long Island in Bay Shore, New York, and part of the Imperial Beach shoreline near San Diego.
The Hawaii state department of health warned of a high bacteria count at Kahaluu Beach Park earlier this week. Beaches are typically packed with crowds on Labor Day weekend as Americans celebrate the end of summer.
A report issued in July 2025 by Environment America found 61% of beaches tested in the US experienced at least one day where fecal contamination reached potentially unsafe levels. The report examined whether fecal bacteria levels exceeded standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels that can cause illness in 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.
The report stated 453 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25% of days tested.
“Enjoying the fresh sea breeze and splash of waves at the beach is a highlight of the summer for many Americans, but pollution still plagues too many of the places where we swim,” said John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment America Research & Policy Center and a co-author of the report, in a statement. “Now is not the time to slash the water infrastructure funding that communities sorely need to stop the flow of nasty bacteria and pollution to our beaches.”
The report cited polluted runoff from roads, overflowing or failing sewer systems, and industrial livestock operations as common contaminant sources.
The group recommended beachgoers avoid swimming 72 hours after heavy storms, be cognizant of and research whether your beach has issues with contaminants, and avoid entering water that’s discolored, cloudy, or foul smelling.
