Smarter Living: Travel & Recreation

photo: Prenetic/Flickr

In 2010, beach closings and advisories reached 24,091—the second-highest level since NRDC began tracking these events 21 years ago in our Testing the Waters report, which examines pollution and public health concerns at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches (for a snapshot, check out the overview of the nation's 200 most popular beaches).This year and last year, the report also highlighted closures, advisories, and notices issued at beaches impacted by last summer's BP oil disaster. From the beginning of the spill until June 15, 2011 there have been a total of 9,474 days of oil-related beach notices, advisories and closures at Gulf Coast beaches due to the spill.

The risks of bacteria in water range from the unpleasant, such as ear, nose and throat infections, to the serious, including cholera, hepatitis and amoebic dysentery. Even baches regarded as safe can hold startlingly high levels of bacteria, found Andrew Rogerson, who headed up an EPA study of Florida beach sand. Bacteria concentrate in sand as water rises and recedes with the tides, leaving both the wet sand and the dry sand just beyond it more heavily contaminated than the water. Because of this, it is most important to keep beach sand out of the mouths of toddlers. Keeping your hands out of it or washing them after playing in the sand is also a good idea.

Be careful of the elements as well. Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing will shield your skin. Check for undertow or riptide warnings, and swim parallel to the shore if you intend to swim a long distance.

Pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system need to be particularly diligent about checking for advisories, but everyone should follow these basic precautions at the beach:

• For recent beach closings and information on whether your favorite swimming spot is harboring unsafe levels of bacteria, see the EPA's Beach Advisory and Closing Online Notification (BEACON) site and Earth911's Beach Water Quality pages. Beaches that aren't listed may not be monitored regularly.
• Swallowing water is the most frequent way swimmers are exposed to bacteria, so keep your head above the waves.
• Avoid swimming near flowing storm drain outlets, outfalls or runoff ditches. A study of Santa Monica beaches found that swimmers near storm drains had a 57 percent greater chance of developing a fever than those swimming more than 400 yards away.
• Don't swim alone, and don't dive into water you haven't been in previously.
• Don't swim after a heavy rain or near trash.
• Keep an eye on the waves—don't be caught unawares by large ones.
• Shower after visiting the beach.
• Disinfect cuts or abrasions to avoid infection.
• Check those with suppressed immune systems for cuts both before and after swimming.

To help preserve the health of our beaches:

• Wash your car on grass, and use little or no water: Some western states and cities already require that car owners wash their cars on grass, gravel or other permeable surface to prevent the runoff of oil, grease and metals into storm drains. By switching to one of the several waterless car wash products, you’ll do even more to prevent water waste and keep pollutants out of the environment. If you find they don’t clean your car as thoroughly as you’d like, visit a commercial car wash, all of which are required by the Clean Water Act to send wastewater to treatment plants.
• Start a rain garden: To help prevent street flooding, cities such as Burnsville, Minnesota, are encouraging residents to plant rain gardens, often consisting of hardy, native species planted in depressions that collect rainwater as it runs off a driveway, rooftop or other area. By modifying the curbside, rain gardens can also help divert rainwater from streets. For help planting your own, see Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources.
• Install permeable pavement: Replace your driveway and walkways with permeable paving or gravel that allows water to soak into the ground. Options include permeable asphalt, concrete, pavers and bricks. Pair this measure with other runoff-reduction strategies mentioned here for the greatest impact. The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University provides descriptions of types of paving and research on their effectiveness.
• Add rain barrels (and gutters): If your house doesn’t have roof gutters, rainwater streaming off roof tiles will only compound runoff from your driveway, patio and other surfaces, so make the upgrade. Adding rain barrels to the downspouts from your gutters eliminates rooftop runoff and provides a supply of nonpotable water for irrigation. Barrels made from recycled food-grade containers are widely sold and help reduce plastic waste. Barrels are available at Clean Air Gardening and Aaron’s Rain Barrels, among other sources.
• Try on a green roof for size: If you’re up for a larger task (and want to wow your neighbors), you can install a green roof to that will absorb rainwater; attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects; and help increase your home insulation. Homeowners may even be eligible for utility rebates and state- or city-government incentives. What's more, a green roof may double your roof's life span by shielding it from sunlight, wind and extreme temperatures. However, depending on what you install, your roof will need to be able to support at least 30 pounds per square foot and have a slope of no less than 1 percent and no more than 7 percent.

last revised 6/28/2011