Heading to the Beach? Check Water Quality, Safety Online First
Sun block, check. Beach towel, check. Radio, check. What's left to do? What about checking the beach? Before heading out to the beach this summer, EPA wants the public to know that visitors can check the safety and water quality of any beach online.
States and local governments decide whether to open or close a beach and report that information to EPA. You can find the latest information states have sent at EPA's Beach Advisory and Closing On-line Notification (BEACON) system.
However, the agency cautions that because it varies in how quickly they receive this information a real-time report is not always possible. If BEACON doesn't have up-to-date information, users can find their state's contact person by scrolling down to the list at www.epa.gov/beaches/plan/whereyoulive_state.html.