Southern Beaches Second Most Contaminated in Nation
Katjusa Cisar via flickr / http://www.flickr.com/photos/katjusac/5052594922/
Thousands of Georgians may have flocked to the beaches over the Fourth of July weekend, but a new report shows Southern beaches along the Gulf Coast didn’t fare so well on pollution tests last year.
In 2012, Southern beaches came second when it came to bacterial contamination, according the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The environmental advocacy group collects government data about ocean water safety, then issues a report each year.
The Great Lakes had the highest percentage of samples taken that were worse than the applicable national health standard at 10 percent, said Jon Devine, a senior attorney with the organization.
The Gulf Coast came second with 8 percent of samples higher than the national average.
The national average hovers around 7 percent. Even then, Devine says the acceptable EPA health standard, doesn’t mean there’s no risk.
“One in 28 swimmers to become sick like something with nausea, diarrhea — and frankly nobody needs that when they go to the beach,” Devine said.
Georgia ranked 12 out of 30 states in beach water quality.
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