As Americans flock to the country’s coasts — and to the lakes and rivers in between — in the heat of summer, they may be doing so despite the presence of fecal matter.

A stark 1,930 out of 3,187 beaches sampled across the nation in 2024 experienced at least one day on which indicators of fecal contamination exceeded federal safety levels, a new report has revealed.

Those beaches, about 61 percent of those tested, surpassed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most protective “Beach Action Value,” a precautionary tool states can utilize to make closure decisions.

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission.

Amazon Prime Day Deals

• Prime Day 2025 is officially here — find all the deals here

• © The Hill