61% of US Beaches Flagged for Fecal Contamination as Funding Cuts Loom
By David LaGuerre-
If you’re planning a trip to the beach this summer, you might want to check the latest water quality report before packing your swimsuit. According to the Surfrider Foundation’s 2023 report, 61% of US beaches experienced at least one day last year when fecal contamination made the water unsafe for swimming. As thousands of closures and advisories pile up, proposed federal budget cuts threaten to worsen a situation that already endangers public health, local economies, and our shared environment.
The Scope of the Problem: What’s in the Water?
Recent studies reveal a disturbing pattern: out of nearly 500 tested sites across the nation, more than 300 sites have recorded unsafe levels of fecal bacteria at least once over the past year. The Gulf Coast suffers the most, with 84% of its beaches affected, while regions like the West Coast and Great Lakes are also grappling with sporadic but dangerous contamination levels. Aging sewer systems—overwhelmed during heavy rains—urban runoff carrying pollutants from busy streets, failing septic systems, and agricultural discharges all contribute to the contamination. Climate change only intensifies the problem, with more frequent and severe storms overwhelming outdated infrastructure, as witnessed following Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Why It Matters: Health and Economic Fallout
When a beach closes due to unsafe water, the consequences extend far beyond a ruined summer day. Swimming in contaminated water can expose beachgoers to gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and respiratory issues. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, face a particularly high risk. Medical centers in affected regions have reported increases in waterborne illnesses following major sewage spills and heavy rainfall events.
The economic impacts are equally worrisome. Local communities, particularly those that depend largely on tourism, see millions in lost revenue. Restaurants, hotels, and small businesses suffer when visitors cancel trips or steer clear of contaminated shores. Additionally, the fishing industry—vital in many coastal areas—endures setbacks as polluted waters disrupt marine ecosystems and reduce the viability of both commercial and recreational fishing. High-profile incidents in cities like San Diego and Massachusetts, where delayed infrastructure upgrades led to multi-billion-dollar repair bills and numerous beach closures, illustrate the high stakes of inaction.
The Funding Crisis: Infrastructure on the Brink
Behind the alarming contamination figures lies an even graver issue—our nation’s crumbling water infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 report estimates that only about 30% of the nearly$99 billion needed every year for wastewater and stormwater systems is currently met. The EPA’s Clean Watersheds Needs Survey projects a funding gap of over$630 billion over the next two decades. While federal measures, including provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, have injected some support into programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, these funds pale in comparison to the growing needs driven by aging systems and climate change.
In the face of these challenges, proposed federal budget cuts loom large. Plans to reduce funding for crucial programs—such as the EPA’s Beach Act, which underwrites essential water quality monitoring, and the revolving funds that help local communities modernize outdated systems—could be disastrous. Local officials, especially in small and rural communities, warn that without reliable federal support, they risk facing an escalation of sewage overflows, increased incidences of contamination, and an ever-growing list of beach closures.
What’s at Stake: Perspectives and Policy Choices
Some policymakers and commentators argue that federal spending on water infrastructure is prone to waste, and that state and local governments, or even private partnerships, are better suited to handle these projects. Their claim rests on the idea that reducing federal involvement could spur more efficient, localized management of resources. Proponents of this view also suggest that private investment and public-private partnerships might fill the gap, injecting innovation and cost-efficiency into water system management.
Yet evidence consistently challenges these arguments. Federal funding has historically been a critical driver in maintaining water quality standards and protecting public health. Over the past decades, federal contributions have decreased markedly—from more than 60% of total capital spending in the 1970s to a paltry 9% today. As a result, states and municipalities find themselves financially stretched, struggling to cover the vast infrastructure needs estimated to reach over$1 trillion in coming years. Moreover, while public-private partnerships can indeed contribute, they often prioritize profits over public welfare—potentially leading to higher water rates and reduced access for low-income communities.
Experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and independent environmental organizations emphasize that sustained federal investment is crucial. Every dollar spent upgrading water infrastructure can yield four dollars in economic benefits, from job creation and improved public health to enhanced property values. Reducing investment in this area, they warn, will only lead to higher long-term costs and greater risks—from environmental degradation to deepening social inequities.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Principled Action
We are at a crossroads. The science is clear and the risks are substantial: neglecting our water infrastructure today sets the stage for more severe public health crises, economic losses, and environmental injustice tomorrow. Clean water is not merely a luxury for summer beach outings; it is a foundational necessity that sustains our communities, supports robust economic activity, and upholds principles of fairness and justice.
As the debate over budget allocations intensifies in Washington, it is imperative that decision-makers prioritize investments that protect our water resources. The cost of inaction is not only economic—it carries a profound social toll as marginalized communities often bear the brunt of deteriorating infrastructure and environmental hazards. By safeguarding and expanding federal support for critical programs like the Beach Act and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, we can ensure that every community—from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes—has access to safe, clean water.
Our collective future depends on thoughtful, evidence-based decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with the undeniable public benefits of a healthy infrastructure. Let’s keep our beaches open, our water clean, and our communities thriving. Share your thoughts or experiences on beach closures and water quality below, and help spread the word about the urgent need for sustained investment in our water infrastructure.
