Over the last five years, about 30% of U.S. beaches have had at least one annual advisory or closing.

John,

Imagine you grab your sunscreen and beach towel to swim and soak in the summer sun, only to find a sign that your favorite beach is closed. 

Broken wastewater infrastructure and giant corporations pollute our public beaches. Too often, outdated, underfunded sewage and stormwater systems are the reason.

While beach closings are inconvenient and disappointing for vacation plans, the impacts of water pollution are far more severe for public health. 

Wastewater systems dump hundreds of billions of gallons of raw sewage into our waterways each year, polluting water supplies, endangering public health, harming aquatic life, and damaging our environment. 

But we can step in to defend our beaches and waterways! The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability (WATER) Act is necessary to ensure clean, safe water for everyone.

Corporate polluters are making matters worse, aiming to maximize profit over human health and the environment. Pollution from industrial agriculture and other sources leaves our waters at greater risk for toxic, harmful algal blooms, which means more unhealthy and even dangerous waters and beaches.

Join us in demanding funding to improve wastewater and stormwater systems and advocating for commonsense policies and legislation, such as the WATER Act, to help protect our water and beaches. 

Food & Water Watch is fighting to restore federal support for water safety. At the same time, we’re standing up to the corporate polluters.

As millions of us head for the sand this summer, remember that our waterways need our help. Our beaches — and our summertime traditions — depend on our actions.

Onward together,