A recent report revealed alarming data on water quality in severalFlorida beaches, which might make you reconsider your decision to enjoy a dip this summer.
The environmental organization,Environment America, conducted a study that concluded that potentially dangerous levels of fecal contamination were detected last year in severalFlorida beaches.
The data even exceeds the "Beach Action Value" established by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Gulf Coast was the most affected, with more than 80% of its coastal areas contaminated.
One of the hardest hit places was South Beach, where it was found that 68% of the days testing in its tourist waters could be considered potentially unsafe for beachgoers.
Surprisingly, about half of the beaches assessed nationally in the report were listed as potentially unsafe for visitors.
According to the data collected, one in nine beaches analyzed had worrying levels of fecal contamination on at least 25% of the days in which tests were carried out.
The presence of bacteria in water can be due to a variety of sources, such as overflowing sewage systems, stormwater pollution, and deteriorating infrastructure that allows untreated waste to enter water bodies.
This report highlights the importance of addressing these issues, as water recreation-related illnesses affect large numbers of people across the country. x
It is estimated that around 90 million cases of diseases related to aquatic activities occur annually, with an economic cost of up to 3.7 billion dollars.
Swimming is responsible for approximately 60% of these diseases, although many other similar conditions go unreported and unrecorded.
To improve the quality of water on the beachesInvestment in natural infrastructure, the modernization of sewage systems and the implementation of restrictions on large-scale operations in the livestock industry are proposed, with the aim of protecting the health of bathers and preserving coastal ecosystems.
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