We’re well into the heat of the summer, and that generally means that many of you are planning a beach timeshare vacation. For the safety and enjoyment of your family, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has just released its 23rd annual beach water quality report.
“Sewage and contaminated runoff in the water can spoil a family vacation real fast, turning a day of lounging at the beach into a day at the doctor’s office with a sick child,” said NRDC senior attorney Jon Devine.
The report, “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches,” is a collection of the latest beach water quality data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from more than 3,000 testing locations nationwide.
This report focuses on the critical element of beach water quality: bacterial contamination. The following beaches are the top 5 that have been given a 5-Star rating by the NRDC for clean water:
1. Gulf Shores, AL.
With miles of sparkling turquoise Gulf waters and stunningly white sugar-sand beaches (the sand is so soft it squeaks under your feet), Alabama’s Gulf Shores public beaches are some of the most popular along the Gulf coast.
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2. Ocean City, MD (see top photo)
In Ocean City, Maryland’s only coastal community, the beach is the main attraction. The good news is that it will stay that way, the water is top notch.
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3. Bolsa Chica State Beach, CA.
Famous for its aquatic wildlife, Bolsa Chica State Beach is a popular place where surf fishing hooks perch, corbina, croaker, cabezon and sand sharks all from clean water.
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4. San Clemente State Beach, CA.
Located north of San Diego, this beach is popular with visitors for its great swimming conditions with relatively few rocks and manageable waves good for body surfing and wading out.
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5. Wallis Sands State Beach, NH
Wallis Sands State Park offers oceanfront swimming and a sandy beach which is especially popular with families.
You can also get a view of the Isle of Shoals, a group of small islands and tidal ledges approximately 6 miles off the coast which straddle the border between New Hampshire and Maine.
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Read the NRDC 2013 Report on beach water quality, with a zip-code searchable map.
Photo Credit (1): usatoday30.usatoday.com
Photo Credit (2 – top photo): theseaboard.com
Photo Credit (3): pierfishing.com
Photo Credit (4): bcre.com
Photo Credit (5): makarl.wordpress.com