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John,
Beaches and sewage should never go together. Yet our national research partners have found unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in more than half of the more than 3,000 coastal and great lakes beaches that were tested.[1]
Fecal contamination at our beaches is simply disgusting. It can also make us sick -- including nausea, diarrhea, rashes and more. Fortunately, a new bill in Congress would update and strengthen the BEACH Act, which helps states monitor beach water for dangerous pollutants.[2]
Tell Congress to help us swim safely by supporting the BEACH Act.
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The problem comes in part from the country's outdated waste management system. Over 900 billion gallons of untreated sewage enter our country's oceans and lakes every year.[3]
This bill would improve the program that helps warn swimmers about days when their favorite beach is unsafe. If it passed, you could bring your family to the beach confident that the water was clean.
And this legislation even has bipartisan support -- such a rarity in Congress these days.
Tell Congress to update the BEACH Act and let us swim without fear.
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The idea that our beaches are unsafe on some days is simply absurd. Improving beach testing will not only help us avoid unsafe conditions but also help states pinpoint the sources of such pollution -- including billions of gallons of sewage overflows.[4]
People getting sick from poopy water at the beach is not a problem we should tolerate -- not here in the United States of America, in the 21st century.
Tell Congress to vote for the BEACH Act update.
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Thank you,
Ellen Montgomery
1. John Rumpler and Tony Dutzik, "Safe for Swimming?," Environment America Research and Policy Center, July 5, 2023.
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2. Caroline Wagar and Mark Morgenstein, "STATEMENT: New bills in Congress would help Americans know when waters are safe for swimming," Environment America, February 21, 2025.
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3. "Surfrider Report Reveals Impacts of Over 900 Billion Gallons of Untreated Sewage Released Into US Surface Waters Every Year," PR Newswire, May 22, 2024.
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4. "Surfrider Report Reveals Impacts of Over 900 Billion Gallons of Untreated Sewage Released Into US Surface Waters Every Year," PR Newswire, May 22, 2024.
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