Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the last big beach holiday of the summer. But this year, millions of Americans planning seaside getaways were met with closures and health advisories at dozens of beaches across the country. Elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria such as E. coli and enterococci were detected, prompting warnings from New England to California and Hawaii.
Widespread Closures and Advisories
Authorities temporarily closed or restricted swimming at several major beaches:
- Cape Cod (Keyes Memorial Beach, MA) and Benjamin’s Beach, NY were fully closed.
- Florida through Maine reported advisories, with North Carolina noting five beaches under caution.
- Texas’ McFaddin Beach flagged high enterococcus levels.
- In Southern California, parts of Imperial Beach, Silver Strand, Coronado, and stretches of Los Angeles County’s shoreline were impacted.
- Hawaii’s Kahaluu Beach Park was flagged for unsafe bacterial levels.
These findings align with a July 2025 Environment America report, which found that 61% of U.S. beaches tested above safe bacterial thresholds at least once in 2024. Some locations exceeded safety standards on a quarter of their testing days.
Health Risks
Exposure to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, skin rashes, ear infections, and respiratory problems. Children, older adults, and immunocompromised people face the greatest risk.
Safety Measures for Beachgoers
Public health experts recommend:
- Avoid swimming for 72 hours after heavy rain, when stormwater runoff peaks.
- Check local advisories before heading out; many health departments post real-time water quality results.
- Shower immediately after swimming and avoid swallowing water.
- Stay out of the water with open cuts or wounds, which provide entry points for bacteria.
- Parents should ensure children don’t put sandy or wet hands in their mouths.
Bigger Picture
Experts warn these recurring closures highlight the need for major infrastructure upgrades to sewage and stormwater systems, as well as better watershed management. Without investment, seasonal contamination cycles will continue to plague U.S. coastlines.
For now, caution remains the best defense for beachgoers determined to enjoy the last days of summer.
