You think only the Gulf Coast beaches are bad due to oil pollution? Maybe so, but no southern beach cracked the Top 10 most polluted U.S. beaches according to the National Resources Defense Council. About 3,000 beaches, bays, and lakes were looked at in the Testing the Waters 2010 report, which was released yesterday. In 2009, there were 18,682 beach closings and advisories for various reasons including human and animal waste and storm runoff.
While there was a special supplement for closing and advisories for beaches affected by the BP oil spill, some of the most polluted beaches may surprise you. Or not, depending on if you go to them or not. The states with the highest number of polluted beaches were Louisiana, Rhode Island, and Illinois.
Which beaches made the Top 10 most polluted?
#10 – Poche County Beach, Orange County, California
With a total of 78 samples (taken five times weekly), the Poche beach was found to exceed the pollution standards 63 percent of the time, due primarily to stormwater and streetwater runoff.
#9 – Jeorse Park Beach II, Lake County, Indiana
With a total of 78 samples (taken five times weekly), the Jeorse beach was also found to exceed the pollution standards 63 percent of the time, but this was due to human and animal bacteria.
#8 – Singing Bridge Beach, Arenac County, Michigan
With a total of 14 samples (taken once a week), the Singing Bridge beach was found to exceed the pollution standards 64 percent of the time, with high levels of E. coli found in it.
#7 – Jackson Park Beach (63rd Street Beach), Cook County, Illinois
With a total of 76 samples (taken five times weekly), the Jackson Park beach was found to exceed the pollution standards 66 percent of the time. Despite its alluring historic bathing pavilion, you may want to avoid this one.
#6 – St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach, Macomb County, Michigan
With a total of 124 samples (taken twice weekly), the St. Clair Shores beach was also found to exceed the pollution standards 66 percent of the time. It was closed on 2009 Memorial Day weekend due to contamination.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the Top 5 polluted beaches in the U.S.