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Water Quality EPA's Recent Look At Health Of Nation's Beaches A new U.S. EPA report says that about 27 percent of the nation's beaches that reported water quality information faced at least one advisory or closing during the 2001 swimming season. In its fifth annual National Health Protection Survey of Beaches, the EPA examined 2,445 beaches. Since the EPA started its beach survey in 1997, the number of beaches collecting data has increased from 1,021 which means more people can be kept informed about water hazards at their local beaches. However, since the start of the survey, the percent of beaches experiencing closings or advisories has increased from 23 to 27 percent. Clearly, water quality conditions at our nations beaches need much more improvement. Despite increased participation in the monitoring program, many states have not adopted recommended water quality standards and continue to use outdated ways to monitor their water quality, the study showed. See a summary of the findings Find out about a beach near you Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club