NYC area beaches given low score in NRDC report
source: http://www.examiner.com/x-17253-NY-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2009m7d31-Area-beaches-given...
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- MarkButkus
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A report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on the state of American beaches show that no area beaches received a five-star rating and that Zach’s Bay at Jones Beach was cited for receiving one-star. All other area beaches received a two-star rating.
NRDC’s report – Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches – illustrates that American beaches are egregiously contaminated. One of the main sources of contaminants and cause of beach closures is storm water runoff. Funneled through stormwater pipes and the sewer system, human and animal waste matter infiltrate the nation's beaches after heavy rains.
In New York City more than 70 percent of the 6000 mile sewer system is combined with stormwater pipes that have the potential to send debris into local waterways. Once in the eco-system the debris collects into slicks that have the capacity to wash up on shore if not detected in advance.
“Pollution from dirty stormwater runoff and sewage overflows continues to make its way to our beaches. This not only makes swimmers sick – it hurts coastal economies,” said Nancy Stoner, NRDC Water Program Co-Director. “Americans should not suffer the consequences of contaminated beachwater. From contracting the flu or pink eye, to jeopardizing millions of jobs and billions of dollars that rely on clean coasts, there are serious costs to inaction.”
NRDC’s report – Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches – illustrates that American beaches are egregiously contaminated. One of the main sources of contaminants and cause of beach closures is storm water runoff. Funneled through stormwater pipes and the sewer system, human and animal waste matter infiltrate the nation's beaches after heavy rains.
In New York City more than 70 percent of the 6000 mile sewer system is combined with stormwater pipes that have the potential to send debris into local waterways. Once in the eco-system the debris collects into slicks that have the capacity to wash up on shore if not detected in advance.
“Pollution from dirty stormwater runoff and sewage overflows continues to make its way to our beaches. This not only makes swimmers sick – it hurts coastal economies,” said Nancy Stoner, NRDC Water Program Co-Director. “Americans should not suffer the consequences of contaminated beachwater. From contracting the flu or pink eye, to jeopardizing millions of jobs and billions of dollars that rely on clean coasts, there are serious costs to inaction.”
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- groups:
- Green
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- tags:
- Water Pollution, Beaches, NRDC, Water Quality, 1 more
