Heading to your favorite CT beach on Memorial Day? Here are some of the cleanest on the Sound.
The annual report grades over 200 of Connecticut's public beaches and is prepared by Save the Sound, an environmental nonprofit, that seeks to protect the Sound through both legislative and legal action.
Each beach's grade is based on 2024 water quality data that local health departments gathered and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency's water quality database, Save the Sound said. Among the most common reason beaches receive a bad grade is due to the presence of the bacteria Enterococcus, which alerts to the presence of fecal matter in water. The bacteria is used to determine whether the water quality at a given saltwater beach is safe for swimming.
When Enterococci levels in water samples exceed the state-established criteria, beaches must close until levels are safe, according to the report. The bacteria can expose swimmers to pathogens that can cause a variety of symptoms and could result in illnesses of the upper respiratory tract and hepatitis, as well as minor skin eye, ear, nose and throat irritations.
'This report is not meant to be how the beach water quality is today,' said Save the Sound's Peter Linderoth, director of healthy waters and lands. 'It is important for people to recognize that local and regional health departments and municipalities manage whether a beach is open, closed or under advisory for any given day. But people can pick up this report and see how their beach has been performing in respect to water quality and how it relates to human health for several years. It can help inform people so they can make decisions on where they want to go.'
Despite some beaches being poorly rated, the report listed overall good news for Connecticut beaches. In total, 72% of the Long Island Sound beaches monitored earned 'A' or 'B' grades for water quality, according to the report. Only a handful of Connecticut and New York beaches received grades of less than a 'B.'
'While that's still good, there's certainly room for improvement,' Linderoth said. 'Because from the last beach report that actually is a slide backwards. In 2023, 78% of the beaches received an 'A' or 'B' grade. So it just goes to show that better management of stormwater runoff is definitely one of the solutions to improving beach water quality.'
Some of the lowest scoring beaches in Connecticut include Byram Park Beach in Greenwich and Harbor Island Beach in Mamoroneck, New York which both earned a 'D' rating. Seabluff Beach in West Haven scored a 'C-,' according to the group. Other beaches like Green Harbor Beach in New London and Sasco Beach in Fairfield both scored a 'C' rating. Short Beach in Stratford scored a 'C+.'
'If you see your favorite beach's name on the list of lowest-scoring public beaches in the region, or if you see consistent yellow, orange or red boxes in the grids of grades in the back half of the beach report, don't be alarmed. Consider it an opportunity to learn more about a potential problem your community might not have been aware of and a place to take action,' the report said.
Among the highest scoring Connecticut beaches, nearly all of them are located in New London and New Haven counties. Beaches earn their way onto the top graded lists by maintaining the highest water quality grades over the last three swimming seasons, according to the report's grading criteria. All of the state's highest scoring beaches can be found 'from Madison down to the southeasternmost corner of the state,' the report says.
Eastern Point Beach in Groton, East and West Wharf Beaches in Madison, Surf Club Beach in Madison, Westbrook Town Beach in Westbrook, Ocean Beach Park in New London, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, and duBois Beach in Stonington all received an 'A+' grade. Noank Dock in Groton and White Sands Beach in Old Lyme both received an 'A' grade.
The Westbrook Town Beach is the only beach with a 10-year streak of A+ grades. None of the 149 water samples taken at Westbrook since 2015 failed to meet the state's safe-swimming standards, according to the report.
'There's likely less to no direct stormwater being discharged near Westbrook Beach and the area is probably not developed that intensely,' Linderoth said. 'In addition, wastewater comes into play too here. Sewer infrastructure and pipes underground are probably well maintained, and septic tanks nearby are well maintained and pumped frequently, so they operate effectively and don't release sewage into our waters.'
The report also raises concerns about the water quality impacts of rain events driven by climate change, noting an increase in 'lost beach days,' and wet weather sample failures, particularly in the western Long Island Sound. An increase in sample failures was even noted in several eastern Sound beaches, according to the report.
After a rainstorm, beaches typically experience a decline in water quality, due to water runoff. Runoff often carries pollutants from land into waterways and water can pick up bacteria, sediments, fertilizers and other contaminants, impacting the clarity and safety of the water. Wet weather samples around the Sound failed 13.5% of the time this year, up from 11.0% in 2020–22, according to the report. During dry weather, samples overall failed 5.1% of the time, an increase from 4.2% in the 2023 report.
Over the last three swimming seasons, wet weather fails jumped in part due to the significant increase in failure rate in the westernmost region of the Sound that combines Westchester County in New York and New York City from 14.9% in 2020–22, to 20.8% in 2022–24, according to data in the report. The report cites that the wet weather failure rate for 2024 was the highest reported in any region in the history of the nonprofit's beach reports, dating back to the three-year period from 2016 to 2018. Linderoth said that the westernmost region of the Sound has both the highest population density and combined sewer overflows, leading to poorer water quality. CSO's allow for untreated sewage to be released during rainfall events, preventing backup into homes or businesses. While Connecticut has several CSO's including in Norwich, the New York City area has far more that leech into the Sound, he said.
The report also attributes the wet weather failures to the amount of rainfall over the last three years. A total of 22 inches fell around the region in 2024. The state has averaged 18.3 inches over the last three years, which matches the highest three-year total since 2011–13, the report said. Linderoth said climate change producing more intense storms is a primary concern.
'We really encourage people to pick up the beach report and use it as an advocacy tool to start discussions with local officials on how they can improve water quality or maintain it if they're happy with their grade,' Linderoth said. 'We are also more than happy talk with people about the report and facilitate discussions with local officials on how to improve water quality.'
For a complete list of grades for Connecticut beaches visit engage.savethesound.org. More information on Save the Sound can be found on their website at savethesound.org.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
11 hours ago
- Medscape
Urinalysis Patterns Help Spot Enterococcal UTIs in the ED
TOPLINE: A combination of a positive leukocyte esterase result and a negative nitrite result on urinalysis was associated with a sevenfold higher likelihood of Enterococcus-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) in emergency department (ED) patients. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of the multicenter UNTRIED study, which included 1836 patients (median age, 67 years) diagnosed with UTI in the ED. Patients were included if they had a monomicrobial positive urine culture and were excluded if their culture was negative, was polymicrobial, contained unidentified bacterial species, or was positive for Staphylococcus species. The primary outcome was a urinalysis showing a positive result for leukocyte esterase and a negative result for nitrite, along with predefined risk factors such as older age, male sex, recent antibiotic use, comorbidities, and urinary tract abnormalities. TAKEAWAY: Only 5% of the included patients had positive urine cultures for Enterococcus species, whereas the majority (70%) had Escherichia coli infections. A urinalysis showing a positive result for leukocyte esterase and a negative result for nitrite was strongly associated with Enterococcus-positive cultures (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.09; 95% CI, 3.73-13.47). Independent risk factors for Enterococcus infection included age 65 years or older (aOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.18-3.13), male sex (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.11-2.81), and antibiotic use in the past 90 days (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.28-3.15). IN PRACTICE: "This secondary analysis of the UNTRIED study indicates that adult patients who were ultimately diagnosed with Enterococcus-associated UTIs in the ED were seven times more likely to show a combination of positive leukocyte esterase and negative nitrite on urinalysis," the authors wrote. "This work should be used to inform future risk stratification to optimize empiric antibiotic selection in ED patients diagnosed with UTI," they added. SOURCE: The study was led by Anne E. Zepeski, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City. It was published online on June 24, 2025, in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. LIMITATIONS: The observational and retrospective nature of the study limited the ability to establish causal relationships. Variability in testing practices among participating hospitals affected the detection of Enterococcus infection. Laboratory practices varied across sites, potentially affecting nitrite and culture results. DISCLOSURES: The authors declared no funding or conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Landmark US study reveals sewage sludge and wastewater plants tied to Pfas pollution
Sewage sludge and wastewater treatment plants are major sources of Pfas water pollution, new research finds, raising questions about whether the US is safely managing its waste. A first-of-its-kind study tested rivers bordering 32 sewage sludge sites, including wastewater treatment plants and fields where the substance is spread as fertilizer – it found concerning levels of Pfas around all but one. The study is the first to sample water up- and downstream from sites, and to test around the country. It found the levels downstream were higher for at least one Pfas compound 95% of the time, suggesting that the sludge sites are behind the increased pollution levels. 'We have an indication of very widespread problems and significant exposures that people are going to be facing,' said Kelly Hunter Foster, an environmental attorney with the Waterkeeper Alliance, which conducted the study. Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds that are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down, and accumulate in the human body and environment. The chemicals are linked to a range of serious health problems like cancer, liver disease, kidney issues, high cholesterol, birth defects and decreased immunity. Sludge is a mix of human and industrial waste that is a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process. Its disposal is expensive, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows it to be spread on cropland as 'biosolid' fertilizer because it is also rich in plant nutrients. But public health advocates have blasted the practice because the nation spends billions of dollars annually treating water only to take the toxic byproduct, insert it into the food supply and re-pollute water. Wastewater treatment plants' effluent, or allegedly clean water that they spit back into water systems, often contain high levels of Pfas. Most of the levels far exceeded the EPA's draft guidance for Pfas in surface waters, which is as low as 0.0009 parts per trillion for PFOA, one of the most common and dangerous types of compounds. The authors looked at water in 19 states, and found the highest levels in Detroit's Rouge River, which showed 44ppt of PFOA; North Carolina's Haw River; South Carolina's Pocotaligo River and Maryland's Potomac River. The largest increase around a wastewater plant was found in the Rouge River, where Detroit's mammoth facility spits Pfas-tainted effluent. The chemicals' levels jumped by 146% to about 80ppt for all Pfas. The Pocotaligo, Haw, and Santa Ana River in southern California saw similar spikes. The largest increase around a field on which sewage sludge was spread was found in the Dragoon Creek near Spokane, Washington, where total Pfas levels jumped from about 0.63 ppt to about 33ppt, an increase of over 5,100%. The EPA has long resisted calls to ban the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural fields, though a 2024 lawsuit that alleges Clean Water Act violations could force some regulatory action. The Trump administration has scrapped the rulemaking process for industrial discharges of Pfas that Joe Biden's EPA began. That would have forced treatment plants to rein in their pollution.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Map Reveals States With Most Polluted Air in America
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A series of live maps from highlighted which parts of the U.S. were experiencing elevated levels of air pollution on Friday. The maps showed data for multiple types of pollutant, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particles (PM2.5), surface ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, aerosol, and dust mass. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) belongs to a group of highly reactive gases collectively known as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), which also include compounds like nitrous acid and nitric acid. NO₂ is commonly used as a representative indicator for this broader category of nitrogen oxides. The main source of NO₂ in the atmosphere is fuel combustion, the EPA says. It is produced by emissions from vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses, as well as from power plants and off-road machinery. The agency warns that breathing high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) can irritate the respiratory system and worsen conditions like asthma, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Short-term exposure may lead to emergency room visits, while long-term exposure can contribute to asthma development and increase vulnerability to respiratory infections. Children, the elderly, and people with asthma are especially at risk. According to a live map from areas with some of the highest NO₂ concentrations as of early Friday included New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Particles (PM2.5) The CDC says that particulate matter is made up of minuscule pieces of solids or liquids in the air, including dust, soot, dirt, smoke, or drops of liquid. Smaller particles, known as PM2.5, are particularly dangerous as they can penetrate deep into the lungs or even enter the bloodstream, the agency says. This type of pollution poses the greatest risk to older adults, young children, and individuals with preexisting medical conditions. map showed heightened PM2.5 levels across parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, North and South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York at the time of writing. Surface Ozone "Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it's not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions," AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek. "These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautions that exposure to ozone may irritate the respiratory tract, cause airway inflammation, and aggravate existing conditions like asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. According to map, the highest concentration of ozone was located in California, east of Barstow on Friday morning. Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) According to the EPA, the primary contributor of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in the atmosphere is the combustion of fossil fuels by power plants and various industrial operations. Additional, smaller sources of SO₂ emissions include industrial activities like metal extraction from ore, natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, and the use of fuel with high sulfur content in locomotives, ships, and other heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. The agency says that short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) can negatively impact the respiratory system and cause difficulty in breathing. Individuals with asthma—especially children—are particularly vulnerable to these effects. When SO₂ emissions reach elevated levels, they can contribute to the formation of additional sulfur oxides. These compounds can interact with other substances in the atmosphere, resulting in the creation of small particles. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and, when present in large enough quantities, may lead to health issues, the EPA says. map showed that the highest levels of SO₂ were in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana on Friday morning. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Concentration Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that becomes harmful at high levels, the EPA says. It is produced by burning and mainly enters outdoor air through vehicles and machinery that use fossil fuels. Breathing high levels of CO reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen to vital organs like the heart and brain. Very high concentrations—usually indoors—can cause dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness, or even death. Outdoors, the EPA says elevated CO levels can pose risks for people with heart disease, potentially triggering chest pain (angina) during physical exertion or stress and reduced oxygen to the heart. According to map, the highest CO levels were along the East and West Coasts, as well as the Midwest. Aerosol The CDC defines aerosol as a suspension of particles or droplets in air. This may include airborne dusts, mists, fumes, or smoke. Aerosol levels were slightly heightened in Iowa, North Dakota, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts on Friday morning. Dust Mass The CDC warns that dust from roads, farms, dry riverbeds, construction sites, and mines can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Several states showed elevated levels on Friday morning, including, but not limited to, parts of:
