A report released Tuesday, July 23rd lists the most troubled beaches in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states.
The Environment America Research and Policy Center study looked at the number of days in 2018 that the water had bacteria counts exceeding Environmental Protection Agency standards, which can potentially sicken swimmers.
It comes when sewers overflow or when fecal waste on streets washes into streams or creeks that flow to lakes or the ocean. A co-author of the study said more work needs to be done to clean up lakes and oceans.
"It's hard to believe that 47 years after we passed the Clean Water Act that we are still concerned with poop in the water when people want to go swimming," said John Rumpler, clean water program director for the center.
Though many counties and states are good about closing beaches when pollution levels are too high and posting signs to warn beachgoers, she urged those planning a trip to the beach to check water quality reports before they arrive.
Florida have 5 beaches listed on the report... and TWO of them are in Sarasota County.
Florida
• Bird Key Park, Sarasota
• Venice Fishing Pier Beach, Sarasota
• Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade
• Bayou Texar, Escambia
• Sanders Beach, Escambia
Read More Here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/23/americas-dirtiest-beaches-prone-bacteria-report/1801372001/