Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches A Quick Look at 200 of the Nation’s Most Popular Beaches

NRDC used a five-star system to rate beaches across the country. NRDC evaluated 200 popular beaches, some with multiple segments that are monitored separately. Following is a key to each of the stars, and an explanation of why these criteria are important indicators of beachwater quality and the level of protection offered to beachgoers:

★ Water Quality, 2009 Of the water samples taken during the 2009 monitoring season, fewer than 5 percent exceeded the national health standard for bacteria. These beaches rarely, if ever, violated the water quality standard. An adequately monitored beach whose water is consistently meeting the national standard is a smart choice for beachgoers looking for a safe and healthy swim. Some states have standards that are even more stringent than the national guidelines, so making sure that those standards are also being met is a good idea.

★ Water Quality, last 3 years Fewer than 5 percent of the water samples taken any year for the last 3 years (2007-2009) exceeded the national health standard for bacteria. These beaches rarely, if ever, violated health standards for the last three years and deserve special recognition. Water quality can fluctuate from year to year depending on the amount of rainfall, for example, particularly at beaches most susceptible to stormwater contamination. The safest beaches are those that meet public health standards during both wet and dry years.

★ Water quality testing frequency These beach locations were monitored more than once a week. The federal BEACH Act recommends that Tier 1 (heavily used and/or likely to be polluted) beaches be monitored at least once a week. This minimum practice, however, is not ideal, because beachgoers cannot be sure they are safe on the day that they want to swim. For example, if a beach is tested on Monday and is found to be safe, that does not indicate the water quality the following Saturday when visitors come to swim. Beaches that are monitored more frequently are more protective of beachgoers.

★ Always issues advisories promptly Closings and/or advisories at this beach are always issued promptly after an exceedance without waiting for resampling results or other information. Beachgoers need to be notified when their beach is in violation of the state health standard, and they should get this information as soon as initial results are in. In some states, beachwater managers resample or gather other information before issuing an advisory, while other beachwater managers do this only when they have reason to doubt the results. Waiting for an exceedance of state standards to be confirmed before notifying the public puts swimmers at unnecessary risk. This is especially true given the 24 hours or more that it currently takes for test results to come in, leaving a window of time in which swimmers can be exposed to harmful pathogens.

★ Posts closings/advisories online and at beaches Beachgoers are notified if the water is unhealthy for swimming through both the Internet and a sign on the beach. If beachwaters are unhealthy for swimming, beachgoers should be able to locate that warning information from home. Post­ ing this information on the Internet is an important way for beach managers to give advance notice to the the public about advisories and closures. Some states have multiple ways of informing the public about beach closures, such as through e-mail, phone lines, press releases and Twitter. Not everyone has access to the Internet or looks for beach water quality informa­tion on-line, so signs should also be posted at the beach notifying all beach patrons whether the water is safe for swimming.

1 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 NRDC Ratings for a Selection of U.S. Popular Beaches This table lists U.S. popular beaches and rates them with stars. Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009.

% Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Alaska

Juneau Sandy Beach 5, Douglas ★★ 0 4 0 yes 1x/week no no

Alabama Baldwin Gulf Shores Public Beach ★★★★★ 0 2 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Baldwin Little Lagoon Pass Beach ★★ ★★ 0 0 3 yes 1x/week yes yes Mobile Dauphin Island East End ★★ ★★ 3 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Mobile Dauphin Island Public Beach ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes -Ballona 20 32 9 no 1x/week yes yes Creek ★★ Dockweiler State Beach-Culver Los Angeles 2 4 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Blvd ★★ ★★ Dockweiler State Beach-Hyperion Los Angeles 4 6 2 no 1x/week yes yes Plant ★ ★★ Dockweiler State Beach-Imperial Los Angeles 2 4 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Hwy. storm drain ★★ ★★ Dockweiler State Beach-World Los Angeles 6 4 6 no 1x/week yes yes Way ★★ Los Angeles Hermosa Beach at 26th Street ★ ★★ 4 7 2 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Hermosa Beach at Pier ★★ ★★ 4 4 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-10th Place-Beach ★★ 11 27 17 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-16th Place-Beach ★★ 16 19 17 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-36th Place-Beach ★★ 11 23 17 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-3rd Place-Beach ★★ 11 19 21 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-54th Place-Beach ★ ★★ 0 13 6 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-55th Place-Beach ★★ 6 11 2 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-5th Place-Beach ★★ 17 19 18 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-62nd Place-Beach ★★ 11 9 10 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-72nd Place-Beach ★★ 10 11 12 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-Coronado Ave-Beach ★★ 15 23 18 no 1x/week yes yes Long Beach-East Side of Belmont Los Angeles 6 19 12 no 1x/week yes yes Pier ★★ Los Angeles Long Beach-Granada Ave-Beach ★ ★★ 4 16 10 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-Molino Ave-Beach ★★ 15 33 13 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Long Beach-Prospect Ave-Beach ★★ 8 12 14 no 1x/week yes yes Long Beach-West Side of Belmont Los Angeles 18 29 19 no 1x/week yes yes Pier ★★ Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Latigo Shore Dr. ★★ 8 24 6 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Malibu Colony Dr. ★★ 9 13 0 no 1x/week yes yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

2 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Malibu Pier ★★ 22 24 14 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Nicholas Beach ★★ ★★ 2 4 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Paradise Cove ★★ 16 42 12 no 1x/week yes yes Manhattan Beach 27th Street Los Angeles 2 11 14 no 1x/week yes yes Extended ★ ★★ Manhattan Beach: Manhattan Los Angeles 4 2 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Beach Pier ★★ ★★ Redondo Beach-Avenue I Los Angeles 2 6 5 no 1x/week yes yes Extended ★ ★★ Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Herondo Street ★★ 8 11 2 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Redondo Pier ★★ 16 17 22 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Topaz Street ★★ 19 10 4 no 1x/week yes yes - Los Angeles 6 6 5 no 1x/week yes yes Ashland ★★ Santa Monica State Beach- Los Angeles 6 22 16 no 1x/week yes yes Montana Ave ★★ Santa Monica State Beach-Pico Los Angeles 20 18 13 no 1x/week yes yes Kender ★★ Santa Monica State Beach-Santa Los Angeles 39 31 37 no 1x/week yes yes Monica Canyon ★★ Santa Monica State Beach-Santa Los Angeles 13 43 11 no 1x/week yes yes Monica Pier ★★ Santa Monica State Beach-Strand Los Angeles 8 17 4 no 1x/week yes yes Street ★★ Santa Monica State Beach- Los Angeles 12 26 16 no 1x/week yes yes Wilshire Blvd. ★★ Los Angeles Trancas-Zuma Beach ★ ★★ 4 14 0 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Brooks Ave ★★ 12 17 10 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Topsail Street ★ ★★ 4 20 4 no 1x/week yes yes Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Venice Pier ★★ 8 10 10 no 1x/week yes yes Venice City Beach-Windward Los Angeles 0 6 2 no 1x/week yes yes Storm Drain ★ ★★ Los Angeles Westward-Zuma Beach ★★ 6 11 2 no 1x/week yes yes - Los Angeles 6 7 6 no 1x/week yes yes 17200 Pacific Coast Hwy ★★ Will Rogers State Beach-Bel Air Los Angeles 6 9 4 no 1x/week yes yes Bay Club ★★ Will Rogers State Beach-Pulga Los Angeles 4 6 5 no 1x/week yes yes storm drain ★ ★★ Will Rogers State Beach-Temescal Los Angeles 6 9 13 no 1x/week yes yes Canyon SD ★★ Marin Stinson Beach-Central ★★ ★★ 3 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Marin Stinson Beach-North ★★ ★★ 3 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Marin Stinson Beach-South ★★ ★★ 3 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes - Bolsa Orange 0 2 2 yes 5x/week yes yes Chica Beach ★★★★★ Bolsa Chica State Beach- Bolsa Orange 3 3 4 yes 5x/week yes yes Chica Reserve ★★★★★

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

3 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach -1000’ South Orange 23 25 15 no 2x/week yes yes Outfall ★★★ Doheny State Beach-250’ S of San Orange 13 48 33 no 2x/week yes yes Juan Creek ★★★ Doheny State Beach-3000’ South Orange 25 31 13 no 2x/week yes yes Outfall ★★★ Doheny State Beach-4000’ South Orange 24 22 16 no 2x/week yes yes Outfall ★★★ Orange Doheny State Beach-North Beach ★★★ 22 41 55 no 2x/week yes yes Doheny State Beach-North of San Orange 37 40 21 no 2x/week yes yes Juan Creek ★★★ Doheny State Beach-Surfzone at Orange 38 49 28 no 2x/week yes yes Outfall ★★★ Orange Huntington City Beach-17th Street ★ ★★★ 3 7 3 no 5x/week yes yes Orange Huntington City Beach-Beach Hut ★★★★★ 2 4.8 2 yes 5x/week yes yes Orange Huntington City Beach-Bluffs ★★★ 5 11 5 no 5x/week yes yes Huntington City Beach-Jack’s Orange 0 5 3 no 5x/week yes yes Snack Bar ★ ★★★ -50’ N of Orange 4 11 11 no 5x/week yes yes ★ ★★★ Huntington State Beach- Orange 4 7 13 no 5x/week yes yes Brookhurst Street ★ ★★★ Huntington State Beach-Magnolia Orange 4.7 15 23 no 5x/week yes yes Street ★ ★★★ Orange Huntington State Beach-SCE Plant ★ ★★★ 3 8 5 no 5x/week yes yes Orange Laguna Beach-Blue Lagoon ★★★★★ 0 1 1 yes 2x/week yes yes Orange Laguna Beach-Bluebird Canyon ★ ★★★ 3 5 4 no 2x/week yes yes Orange Laguna Beach-Crescent ★★★★★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Orange Laguna Beach-Emerald Bay ★ ★★★ 0 5 0 no 2x/week yes yes Orange Laguna Beach-Laguna Hotel ★★★★★ 3 4 4 yes 2x/week yes yes Laguna Beach-Laguna Lido Orange 0 1 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Apartment ★★★★★ Orange Laguna Beach-Laguna Main Beach ★★★★★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Orange Laguna Beach-Victoria Beach ★★★★★ 2 1 1 yes 2x/week yes yes Orange Newport Beach-Balboa Pier ★★★★★ 1 1 1 yes 5x/week yes yes Orange Newport Beach-Newport Pier ★★★★★ 0 0 0 yes 5x/week yes yes Salt Creek County Beach Park- Orange 3 1 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Dana Strands-Selva Ramp ★★★★★ Salt Creek County Beach Park-Salt Orange 4 5 1 no 3x/week yes yes Creek Beach ★ ★★★ - Orange 11 7 5 no 2x/week yes yes Avenida Calafia ★★★ San Clemente State Beach-Las Orange 6 2 2 no 2x/week yes yes Palmeras ★★★ ★ ★★★ 0 6 3 no 2x/week yes yes Cardiff State Beach-Las Olas San Diego 0 0 0 yes 2x/week yes yes (Georges) ★★★★★ Cardiff State Beach-Seaside State San Diego 0 0 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Park ★★★★★ KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

4 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach San Diego Carlsbad City Beach ★★ 7 0 0 no 1x/week yes yes San Diego ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes San Diego Mission Beach-Belmont Park ★★ ★★ 2 0 3 yes 1x/week yes yes San Diego ★ ★★★ 3 2 10 no 2x/week yes yes Oceanside municipal beach- San Diego 2 3 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Cassidy Street ★★ ★★ Oceanside Municipal Beach- San Diego 0 5 0 no 1x/week yes yes Forester Street ★ ★★ Oceanside Municipal Beach-St. San Diego 2 3 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Malo Beach ★★ ★★ Oceanside Municipal Beach- San Diego 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Wisconsin Street ★★ ★★ Oceanside Pier Area-Pier View San Diego 0 8 0 no 1x/week yes yes Way ★ ★★ San Diego Oceanside Pier Area-Surfrider Way ★ ★★ 0 8 2 no 1x/week yes yes San Diego Oceanside Pier Area-Tyson Street ★ ★★ 2 8 0 no 1x/week yes yes South Carlsbad State Beach- San Diego 0 4 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Outlet ★★ ★★ South Carlsbad State Beach- San Diego 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Cerezo Drive ★★ ★★ South Carlsbad State Beach- San Diego 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Encina Creek Outlet ★★ ★★ South Carlsbad State Beach- San Diego 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Palomar Airport ★★ ★★ South Carlsbad State Beach- San Diego 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Poinsettia Lane ★★ ★★ South Carlsbad State Beach-Ponto San Diego 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Drive ★★ ★★ Baker Beach, Lobos Creek at San Francisco 32 17 9 no 1x/week yes yes Lower Parking Lot ★★ Baker Beach, Opposite Seacliff 2 San Francisco 4 4 4 yes 1x/week yes yes Pumping Station ★★ ★★ San Francisco Baker Beach, Upper Parking Lot ★★ 8 3 3 no 1x/week yes yes San Francisco Ocean Beach, at Balboa St. ★★ 5 7 5 no 1x/week yes yes San Francisco Ocean Beach, at Lincoln Ave. ★ ★★ 4 10 4 no 1x/week yes yes San Francisco Ocean Beach, at Sloat Blvd. ★★ 5 3 2 no 1x/week yes yes Connecticut New London Ocean Beach Park ★★ 4.7 0 4.5 yes 1x/week no no Delaware Cape Henlopen State Park-Herring Sussex 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Point ★★ ★★ Rehoboth Beach-Rehoboth Ave Sussex 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Beach ★★ ★★ Florida Bay Laguna Beach ★ ★★ 0 0 6 no 1x/week yes yes Panama City Beach Pier Bay 0 2 2 yes 1x/week yes yes (Edgewater Beach) ★★ ★★ Bay Seltzer Park (Silver Sands Beach) ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

5 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Cocoa Beach at Minuteman Brevard 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Causeway ★★ ★ Brevard Cocoa Beach at Pier ★★ ★ 4 0 2 yes 1x/week no yes Brevard Pelican Beach Park/Satellite Beach ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Broward John Lloyd State Park ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Dade Collins Park-21st Street ★★ 16 3 5 no 1x/week yes yes South Beach Park, First Street Dade 4 3 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Beach ★★ ★★ Escambia Pensacola (Casino) Beach ★★ ★ 0 2 0 yes 1x/week no yes Quietwater Beach (Santa Rosa Escambia 7 4 9 no 1x/week no yes Sound) ★ Franklin St. George Island Franklin Street ★ ★★ 0 20 14 no 1x/week yes yes Gulf Dixie Belle Beach ★ 8 0 8 no 1x/week no yes Gulf Monument Beach ★ 31 6 4 no 1x/week no yes Gulf St. Joe Beach ★ ★ 4 0 6 no 1x/week no yes Hillsborough at Simmons Park ★ 14 0 0 no 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Bahia Beach ★ ★ 4 4 5 no 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Ben T. Davis North ★ 20 4 7 no 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Ben T. Davis South ★ ★ 4 4 12 no 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Cypress Point North ★★ ★ 4 2 0 yes 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Cypress Point South ★★ ★ 4 2 0 yes 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Davis Island ★★ ★ 0 4 0 yes 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Picnic Island North ★ ★ 4 2 7 no 1x/week no yes Hillsborough Picnic Island South ★★ ★ 4 4 4 yes 1x/week no yes Lee Bowman’s Beach ★ ★ 4 0 9 no 1x/week no yes Lee Lovers Key State Park ★★ ★ 0 4 2 yes 1x/week no yes Lee Sanibel Lighthouse Park Beach ★ ★ 4 4 7 no 1x/week no yes Manatee Coquina Beach North ★★ ★ 0 2 4 yes 1x/week no yes Manatee Coquina Beach South ★★ ★ 0 0 2 yes 1x/week no yes Monroe Bahia Honda Oceanside ★★ 23 0 6 no 1x/week yes yes John Pennekamp State Park Monroe 4 2 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Cannon Beach ★★ ★★ Okaloosa Brackin Wayside ★ ★★ 4 6 2 no 1x/week yes yes Okaloosa Henderson State Park Beach ★★ ★★ 0 2 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Pinellas Fort Desoto North Beach ★★ ★ 0 4 2 yes 1x/week no yes Pinellas Honeymoon Island Beach ★★ ★ 4 2 2 yes 1x/week no yes Pinellas Indian Rocks Beach ★★ ★ 0 2 0 yes 1x/week no yes Pinellas Madeira Beach ★★ ★ 0 4 2 yes 1x/week no yes Pinellas Pass-A-Grille Beach ★★ ★ 0 2 4 yes 1x/week no yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

6 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Pinellas Sand Key ★★ ★ 0 2 0 yes 1x/week no yes Pinellas Treasure Island Beach ★ 7 4 9 no 1x/week no yes Santa Rosa Navarre Beach Pier ★★ ★ 4 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Santa Rosa Navarre Beach West ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Santa Rosa Navarre Park ★ 11 2 0 no 1x/week no yes Sarasota Lido Casino Beach ★★ ★ 4 0 2 yes 1x/week no yes Sarasota North Jetty Park Beach ★★ ★ 0 0 4 yes 1x/week no yes Sarasota North Lido Beach ★ ★ 0 2 5 no 1x/week no yes Sarasota Siesta Key Public Beach ★ ★ 0 0 5 no 1x/week no yes Sarasota South Lido Beach ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Sarasota Venice Fishing Pier ★ ★ 0 8 4 no 1x/week no yes Sarasota Venice Public Beach ★ ★ 0 5 5 no 1x/week no yes Volusia Daytona Beach, Main ★★ ★ 0 2 2 yes 1x/week no yes Volusia Villa Way ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Walton Dune Allen Beach Access ★★ ★ 4 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Walton Eastern Lake Beach Access ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Walton Grayton Beach Access ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Walton Holly Street Beach Access ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Georgia Chatham Tybee Island North ★★ ★★ 2 0 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Chatham Tybee Island Strand ★★ ★★ 0 0 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Glynn East Beach Old Coast Guard (Ssi) ★★ ★★ 4 2 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Hawaii Big Island Anaeho’omalu Bay ★★★★ 0 3 0 yes 6x/month yes no Big Island Hapuna Beach St. Rec. Area ★★ 0 3 4.5 yes 3x/month no no Honolulu Ala Moana Beach Co. Park ★★ 5 2 2 no 3x/week yes no Honolulu Royal-Moana Beach ★★★★ 2 2 1 yes 3x/week yes no Hanalei Beach Co. Park-Hanalei Kauai 16 2 2 no 2x/week yes no Bay Pavilion ★★ Kauai Po’ipu Beach Co. Park ★★★★ 1 1 1 yes 2x/week yes no Maui Wailea Beach Park ★★★★ 1 1 3 yes 2x/week yes no Oahu Hanauma Bay ★★★★ 2 1 4 yes 3x/week yes no Illinois Cook IL Beach State Park South Beach ★★★ 18 19 24 no 4x/week yes yes Cook North Avenue Beach ★★★ 10 0 22 no 5x/week yes yes Cook Oak Street Beach ★ ★★★ 4 4 22 no 5x/week yes yes Cook Ohio Street Beach ★★★ 21 7 18 no 5x/week yes yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

7 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Lake IL Beach State Park North Beach ★★★ 11 11 17 no 4x/week yes yes Indiana La Porte Washington Park Beach ★★★ 19 18 42 no 3x/week yes yes Lake Marquette Park Beach ★ ★★★ 3 17 20 no 5x/week yes yes Porter Indiana Dunes State Park East ★★★ 13 22 20 no daily yes yes Porter Indiana Dunes State Park West ★★★ 15 15 16 no daily yes yes Louisiana LA186192 Grand Isle State Park 4 ★★ 30 0 0 no 1x/week yes yes LA204303 Grand Isle State Park 3 ★★ 17 0 3 no 1x/week yes yes LA221569 Grand Isle State Park 2 ★★ 13 6 0 no 1x/week yes yes LA240078 Grand Isle State Park 1 ★★ 17 8 0 no 1x/week yes yes LA733869 Fontainebleau State Park ★★ 7 16 6 no 1x/week yes yes Massachussetts Barnstable Corporation ★★ 6 6 7 no 1x/week yes yes Barnstable Old Silver 1-Central ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Barnstable Old Silver 2-North ★ ★★ 0 7 8 no 1x/week yes yes Barnstable Old Silver 2-South ★ ★★ 0 7 0 no 1x/week yes yes Dukes South Beach State Park at East ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Essex Crane ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/month yes yes Essex Devereux ★★ 11 0 0 no 1x/week yes yes Essex Good Harbor ★★ 8 0 0 no 1x/week yes yes Essex Singing ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Essex Wingaersheek ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Suffolk Carson Beach at Bathhouse ★★★ 13 10 4 no daily yes yes Maryland Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park-East Beach ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Sandy Point State Park-South Anne Arundel 1 3 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Beach ★★ ★★ Baltimore Gun Powder SP Hammerman ★★ 7 4 14 no 2x/month yes yes Elk Neck State Park North East Cecil 0 14 7 no 1x/week yes yes River ★ ★★ St Mary’s Point Lookout State Park ★ ★★ 0 4 6 no 1x/week yes yes Worcester Assateague State Park ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Worcester Ocean City at Beach 6 ★★ ★★ 3 1 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Maine Sagadahoc Popham-Center Beach ★★ 7 0 8 no 1x/week yes yes Sagadahoc Popham-East Beach ★★ 7 0 11 no 1x/week yes yes York Long Sands Beach ★ 10 3 0 no 1x/week no yes York Old Orchard Beach-Central ★ 7 0 0 no 1x/week no yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

8 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach York Old Orchard Beach-North End ★ 6 0 0 no 1x/week no yes York Old Orchard Beach-Ocean Park ★ 13 0 7 no 1x/week no yes York Short Sands Beach ★ 13 13 0 no 1x/week no yes Michigan Berrien Silver Beach ★★ ★★ 2 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Berrien Warren Dunes Beach ★★ 19 0 0 no 1x/week yes yes Grand Traverse Clinch Park ★★ 12 5 10 no 1x/week yes yes Muskegon Pere Marquette Park ★★ 32 0 9 no 1x/week yes yes Ottawa North Beach Park ★★ ★★ 2 2 1 yes 1x/week yes yes Minnesota St Louis Park Point at Beach House ★★★ 8 0 0 no 2x/week yes yes Park Point Franklin Park at 13th St Louis 0 4.7 2 yes 2x/week yes yes Street Beach ★★★★★ Park Point, Lafayette Community St Louis 0 0 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Club Beach ★★★★★ Mississippi Harrison Courthouse Road Beach ★ 20 19 19 no 1x/week no yes Harrison Edgewater Beach ★ 8 18 17 no 1x/week no yes Jackson Front Beach ★ 9 10 9 no 1x/week no yes North Carolina Ocean end of Central Dr., Atlantic Carteret 0 6 0 no 1x/week yes no Ocean ★ ★

1 Ocean pier at mile post 19 ⁄2 in Carteret 4 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Emerald Isle ★★ ★ 100 yards ENE of Little Bridge, Dare 0 0 7 no 2x/month yes no Causeway, Nags Head ★ ★ 100 yards offshore of 7517 S. Va. Dare 5 0 7 no 2x/month yes no Dare Trail, Nags Head ★ Dare 100ft North of Jennett’s Pier ★★ ★ 3 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Beach at Cape Hatteras Dare 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Lighthouse ★★ ★ Dare Nags Head Bath House ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Ocean Pier at K. Avenue in Kure New Hanover 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Beach ★★ ★ Ocean Pier at Salisbury Street in New Hanover 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Wrightsville Beach ★★ ★ Ocean Pier at Ocean Blvd and Pender 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Crews Avenue in Topsail Beach ★★ ★ Ocean Pier at S. Shore Drive and Pender 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes no Kinston Avenue in Surf City ★★ ★ New Hampshire Rockingham Hampton Beach State Park ★★★★★ 0 0 1 yes 2x/week yes yes Rockingham Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Road ★★★★★ 1 4.5 0 yes 2x/week yes yes Rockingham Wallis Sands SP ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes New Jersey Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Lincoln ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

9 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Atlantic 15th St South (Brigantine) ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Arkansas ★ ★ 0 0 6 no 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Bartram ★★ ★ 0 0 4.8 yes 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Chelsea ★★ ★ 0 0 4.8 yes 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Illinois ★ ★ 4.5 0 6 no 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Kentucky ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Michigan ★★ ★ 0 0 4.8 yes 1x/week no yes Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at Missouri ★ ★ 0 0 6 no 1x/week no yes Atlantic City Beaches at New Atlantic 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Hampshire ★★ ★ Atlantic City Beaches at North Atlantic 0 0 6 no 1x/week no yes Carolina ★ ★ Atlantic City Beaches at South Atlantic 0 0 4.8 yes 1x/week no yes Carolina ★★ ★ Atlantic Atlantic City Beaches at States ★★ ★ 0 0 4.8 yes 1x/week no yes Atlantic Washington (Margate) ★★ ★ 0 0 4.8 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 15th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 21st St. ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 30th ★ ★ 0 11 0 no 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 40th St. ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 50th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 57th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 65th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 76th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Avalon Beaches at 9th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at 2nd ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Broadway ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Congress ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Corinthian YC ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Grant ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Ocean Ave. ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Philadelphia ★ ★ 0 0 6 no 1x/week no yes Cape May Cape May at Queen North ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Monmouth 7th Ave. (Belmar) ★ ★ 0 5 9 no 1x/week no yes Monmouth Sylvania (Avon) ★ ★ 0 0 5 no 1x/week no yes Ocean Point Pleasant Beach -Broadway ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Ocean Point Pleasant Beach-Central ★ ★ 0 6 6 no 1x/week no yes Ocean Seaside Heights, Lincoln ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

10 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach New York Bronx Orchard Beach ★ 12 3 5 no 1x/week no yes Coney Island Beach-Brighton Kings 5 0 0 no 1x/week no yes 15th-16th ★ Coney Island Beach, Ocean Kings 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Parkway-W. 8th ★★ ★ Coney Island Beach, W 8th St. Kings 5 0 0 no 1x/week no yes to Pier ★ Kings Coney Island Beach, W. 16th-27th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Coney Island Beach, W. 28th- Kings 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes W. 37th ★★ ★ Monroe Hamlin Beach State Park-Area 3 ★ 28 15 16 no 1x/week yes no Nassau Jones Beach State Park at Central ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Jones Beach State Park at Zach’s Nassau 10 6 17 no 2x/week no yes Bay ★ ★ Nassau Long Beach City ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week no yes Rockaway Beach at 116th St. to Queens 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes 126th ★★ ★ Queens Rockaway Beach at 126th-149 ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes Queens Rockaway Beach at 15th-22nd ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes Queens Rockaway Beach at 23rd-59th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes Queens Rockaway Beach at 59th-80th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes Queens Rockaway Beach at 80th-95th ★ 9 0 0 no 2x/month no yes Queens Rockaway Beach at 95th-116th ★ 9 0 0 no 2x/month no yes Queens Rockaway Beach at 9th-13th ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes Suffolk Robert Moses State Park Beach ★ 5 0 0 no 1x/week no yes Suffolk Smith Point County Park ★★ ★ 0 0 3 yes 1x/month no yes Ohio Cuyahoga Edgewater State Park ★★★ 26 34 29 no daily yes yes Lake Fairpot Harbor ★★★ 14 22 17 no daily yes yes Lucas Maumee Bay State at Park E ★★★ 20 15 24 no 4x/week yes yes Oregon Clatsop Cannon Beach ★ ★★ 0 7 2 no 1x/week yes yes Clatsop Hug Point State Park Beach ★★ ★★ 3 0 2 yes 1x/week yes yes Clatsop Seaside Beach ★★ ★★ 1 0 1 yes 1x/week yes yes Coos Bastendorff Beach ★ ★★ 2 2 10 no 2x/month yes yes Curry Harris Beach State Park ★★ 7 26 12 no 2x/month yes yes Lincoln Siletz Bay Beach ★ ★★ 0 0 9 no none yes yes Tillamook Short Sand Beach ★★ ★★ 0 0 1 yes 1x/week yes yes Pennsylvania Erie Beach 6 ★ ★★★ 4 7 2 no 2x/week yes yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

11 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Rhode Island Kent Goddard Memorial State Park ★ ★ 18 7 3 no 3x/week no yes Washington Misquamicut State Beach ★★ ★ 0 0 0 yes 2x/month no yes Washington Narragansett Town Beach ★ 10 0 0 no 3x/month no yes Washington Scarborough State Beach North ★ ★ 38 28 12 no 2x/week no yes Washington Scarborough State Beach South ★ ★ 33 22 11 no 2x/week no yes South Carolina Beaufort Hilton Head Island ★★ ★ 0 0 1 yes 2x/month no yes Beaufort Hunting Island ★★ ★ 0 4 0 yes 2x/month no yes Charleston Folly Beach ★★ ★ 0 0 1 yes 2x/month no yes Colleton Edisto Island ★★ ★ 1 1 2 yes 2x/month no yes Horry Arcadia Beach ★ ★ 1 8 10 no 1x/week no yes Horry Myrtle Beach ★ 7 15 12 no 1x/week no yes Horry North Myrtle Beach ★★ ★ 0 1 3 yes 1x/week no yes South Carolina State Park and Horry 15 7 13 no 1x/week no yes Campground ★ Horry Springmaid Beach ★ 9 0 9 no 1x/week no yes Horry Surfside Beach ★ 10 12 10 no 1x/week no yes Texas Aransas Rockport Beach Park ★★ 9 7 15 no 1x/week yes yes Brazoia Surfside ★ ★★ 1 6 1 no 1x/week yes yes South Padre Island (Town of South Cameron 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Padre Island) ★★ ★★ South Padre Island-Access-Point Cameron 1 1 0 yes 1x/week yes yes #6 ★★ ★★ Galveston 25th Street ★★ 6 12 12 no 1x/week yes yes Galveston 45th Street ★★ 11 3 11 no 1x/week yes yes Galveston Stewart Beach Park ★★ 8 11 9 no 1x/week yes yes Matagorda Jetty Park ★ ★★ 3 6 2 no 1x/week yes yes Nueces McGee Beach, Corpus Christi Bay ★★ 9 6 19 no 1x/week yes yes Nueces Padre Bali Park ★ ★★ 1 8 8 no 1x/week yes yes Virginia Newport News Anderson’s Beach ★ ★★ 0 0 5 no 1x/week yes yes Newport News Hilton Beach ★★ 14 0 0 no 1x/week yes yes Newport News Huntington Beach ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Newport News King/Lincoln Beach ★ ★★ 0 6 0 no 1x/week yes yes Virginia Beach -Little Island Beach Virginia Beach 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes North ★★ ★★ Virginia Beach -Little Island Beach Virginia Beach 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes South ★★ ★★ Virginia Beach Virginia Beach at 15th Street ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

12 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010 % Fail to Meet Posts Fails Water Always Water Quality Closings/ Less Than Quality Issues County Beach Name Rating Details Health Standards Advisories 5%/Year Testing Advisories Online and for 3 Years Frequency Promptly 2009 2008 2007 at Beach Virginia Beach Virginia Beach at 28th Street ★★ ★★ 0 0 0 yes 1x/week yes yes Washington King Alki Beach Park ★★ ★ 0 0 4 yes 1x/week no yes King Golden Gardens Park ★★ ★ 4 4 2 yes 1x/week no yes Pierce Owens Beach/Point Defiance Park ★★ ★ 0 4 0 yes 1x/week no yes Wisconsin Door Baileys Harbor Ridges Park Beach ★★★ 11 19 7 no 4x/week yes yes Milwaukee Bradford Beach ★★★ 13 22 24 no daily yes yes Milwaukee Grant Park Beach ★★★ 13 20 20 no 2x/week yes yes Milwaukee McKinley Beach ★★★ 15 29 29 no 3x/week yes yes Ozaukee Harrington State Park Beach North ★★★ 9 34 33 no 4x/week yes yes Racine North Beach ★ ★★★ 4 5 4 no 5x/week yes yes Sheboygan Blue Harbor Beach ★★★ 14 12 15 no 4x/week yes yes

KEY: Each star indicates that this beach met a specific standard in 2009. ★Water quality, 2009 ★Water quality, last 3 years ★Water quality testing frequency ★Always issues advisories promptly ★Posts closings/advisories online and at beach

13 Natural Resources Defense Council Testing the Waters 2010