59% Of RI Beaches Unsafe At Least 1 Day Due To Sewage: Study

Nearly 60% of Rhode Island's beaches had an unsafe level of bacteria in the water on at least one day in 2024, a study by Environment America found.

The study determined 39 of the Ocean state's 66 beaches — a level of 59% — had potentially unsafe levels of fecal indicator bacteria on at least one testing day in 2024.

Possibly worse, 25 of the 66 beaches, or 38%, were found to have potentially unsafe levels on at least 25% of all days tested in 2024, according to Environment America.

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High bacteria levels pose a serious health risk, according to the study released this month.

"Fecal contamination from sources such as urban runoff, sewage overflows and factory farms can contain pathogens that threaten the health of swimmers, or that force beaches to be closed to protect public health," Environment America said.

"Swimming in contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illness as well as respiratory disease, ear and eye infection, and skin rash," Environment America said. "Each year, there are an estimated 57 million cases of illness in the U.S. resulting from swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers and ponds. The vast majority of these illnesses go unreported."

The Rhode Island beaches with the most potentially unsafe days in 2024, according to Environment America, were Easton's Beach in Newport, Scarborough State Beach in North Washington and Mackerel Cove in Newport.

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Nationally, 1,930 out of 3,187 tested beaches, or 61%, experienced at least one day on which indicators of fecal contamination reached potentially unsafe levels, the study showed.

"And 453 beaches — approximately one in seven beaches tested nationwide — had potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least 25% of the days on which testing took place," according to Environment America.

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