Understanding Sources of Beach Pollution: The Great Lakes Sanitary Survey

Sanitary surveys help state and local beach program managers and public health officials identify sources of beach water pollution, assess the magnitude of pollution, and identify priority locations for water testing.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with local and state partners developed a draft standardized sanitary survey form to identify pollution sources at beaches in the Great Lakes basin. During the 2007 beach season, nine grants were awarded to test the draft sanitary survey tool at 61 beaches (56 in the U.S. and five in Canada). Grantees were asked to complete the beach sanitary surveys to identify pollution sources at their beaches and to recommend measures that could potentially reduce contamination sources.

Each of the nine grantees identified potential pollution sources using the sanitary survey tool at all 61 participating beaches. Grantees were able to identify previously unknown pollution sources at most beaches. Animals were the most frequently identified sources of contamination at beaches. Better beach management was cited as the most effective means for reducing beach contamination. Additionally, predictive models were developed at approximately half the beaches in the pilot study. All of the grantees recommended use of the surveys by other beach managers. (EPA, 2008b)

 

2007 Great Lakes Sanitary Survey great Lakes Pilot Project

The 2007 Great Lakes Sanitary Survey great Lakes Pilot Project. Credit: EPA

For more information:

2007 Beach Sanitary Survey Great Lakes Pilot Project

NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health