How safe are Ohio's beaches?

This in via email from Environment Ohio:

New Report Shows Ohio's Beaches are Threatened with Pollution:

For another year, Ohio ranks 2nd in the nation for failing to meet national health standards

CLEVELAND, OHIO - As summer is well under way and families flock to America's coastal beaches, they often find that an unwelcome "intruder" has beaten them to the shore: an official beach advisory, warning people not to enter the water because it is contaminated with dangerous bacteria.

Along Ohio's Lake Erie coast, beach advisories remain a common occurrence. Last year Ohio ranked second in the nation for the number of coastal beach advisories, according to the 19th annual beach water quality report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Ohio Environmental Council, and Environment Ohio.

Using the latest data from the U.S. EPA, the "Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches" report tallied 783 health advisory days in 2008 for Ohio beaches, up 19% from the 657 days in 2007. The report is available at here.

A beach advisory is issued when the level of bacteria in the water is higher than the maximum standard allowed for safe swimming. Under Ohio Department of Health rules, most beach postings only advise against-but do not actually prohibit-entering the water.

"We have come far, but additional work is needed to safeguard public health. Advisories continue to turn families and children away from the beach, all because of outdated and overwhelmed sewage and stormwater treatment systems," said Coby Williams, Legislative & Public Affairs Associate for the Ohio Environmental Council.

Tainted beach water can expose beachgoers to a range of waterborne illnesses, including gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory ailments and other serious health problems. For senior citizens, small children, and people with weak immune systems, the results can be fatal.

Nationwide, sewage spills and overflows caused more than 20,000 beach closing and advisory days in 2008, down 10% from 2007. This was due to overall drier conditions across the country, producing less stormwater runoff. However, in Ohio, there was a 19% increase in the number of advisory days from 2007. For another year, Ohio ranks 2nd nationally for failing to meet national health standards. The report indicates waters along the Great Lakes coastline are the dirtiest in the country. Studies by the EPA in the Great Lakes show as many as 10% of beach goerers report getting sick after swimming in beachwaters.

"When families head to the beach this summer, they shouldn't have to worry about swimming in polluted water that can make them sick," said Amanda Moore, Environment Ohio Field Organizer. "Ohioans shouldn't have to choose between swimming in sewage and staying out of the water."

Beach advisories represent not only a health hazard, but also a loss in economic revenue. Studies in Michigan have indicated economic losses ranging from $7,935 to $37,030 per day, due to recreational activity lost because of beach advisories.

Aging and poorly-designed sewage and stormwater systems hold much of the blame for beach water pollution. Record rainfalls in recent years have also added to the strain on already overloaded infrastructure. Report authors also found that poor suburban developments in coastal areas are devouring wetlands and other natural buffers such as dunes and beach grass that would otherwise help filter out dangerous pollution.

This pollution is only expected to get worse as global warming continues. The combined effects of temperature increases and more frequent and intense rainstorms will lead to increased stormwater runoff, sewer pollution and disease-causing pathogens in nearby waterways. Specifically, global warming is anticipated to influence the presence of pathogens that cause stomach flu, diarrhea and neurological problems in America's beachwater. The report recommends that Congress pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454, also known as ACES), which will reduce emissions of global warming pollution and help communities prepare for flooding, sea level rise, increased stormwater pollution, sewer overflows, and other adverse impacts of climate change.