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61% of U.S. Beaches Contaminated, Urgent Funding Needed

7/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A startling report from the Environment America Research and Policy Center reveals that a staggering 61% of U.S. beaches were tainted by fecal contamination last year, with 14% deemed unsafe on a quarter of testing days. The Gulf Coast suffered the worst, raising urgent concerns for public health and igniting demands for $630 billion in vital water protection funding.

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Story summary

A startling report from the Environment America Research and Policy Center reveals that a staggering 61% of U.S. beaches were tainted by fecal contamination last year, with 14% deemed unsafe on a quarter of testing days. The Gulf Coast suffered the worst, raising urgent concerns for public health and igniting demands for $630 billion in vital water protection funding.