Beachwater pollution days down

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An annual report released Wednesday by the Natural Resource Defense Council shows that beachwater advisories were down by 40 percent last year in Texas, a fact attributed to the current dry weather.

This is the 19th annual national beachwater quality report. In light of the report's results, Environment Texas has called for increased federal funding and faster testing for beachwater pollution. The group also supports a constitutional amendment in November, Proposition 9, promoting beach access.

In Texas, the General Land Office has set up a website on beachwater quality. At the click of a button, a website visitor to Texas Beach Watch can review whether contamination levels are low, medium or high. The national report, Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches, is based on 2008 data pulled from the US Environmental Protection Agency..

For the fourth consecutive year, more than 20,000 closing and advisory days were called at ocean, bay and Great Lake beaches across the country, according to the report. A total of 318 beach health advisory days were called in Texas in 2008, a 40 percent decline over 2007.

"When families head to the beach this summer, they shouldn’t have to worry about swimming in polluted water that can make them sick, said McCall Johnson of Environment Texas. “We applaud the General Land Office for the Texas Beach Watch notification effort that helps to protect public health by giving beachgoers easily accessible information about water quality.”

The national report also provides a five-star rating guide for 200 of the nation’s most popular beaches, based on indicators of beachwater quality, monitoring frequency, and public notification of contamination. In Texas, South Padre Island received a four star rating and Surfside and Rockport received two star ratings.

Environment Texas supports Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act (H.R. 2903/S. 878), which is pending in Congress. It would provide money for more beachwater sampling and require the use of faster testing methods so people get timely information about whether it is safe to swim.

“We urge the Texas Congressional Delegation the to support the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act and ensure America’s beaches are tested for pollution quickly enough to protect public health,” said Johnson.

On Nov. 3, Texas voters will consider a constitutional amendment “to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.” Environment Texas, Gulf Restoration Network and Surfrider Foundation urge Texas voters to approve Proposition 9 this November.