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EPA Gives Ocean Waters a Clean Bill of Health

Release Date: 5/23/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

Contact: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – On Memorial Day, the annual exodus to ocean beaches begins. Vacationers, armed with books, picnics, swimsuits, beach chairs and sun screen, will hit the beaches up and down the Atlantic coast, with one question on their mind, “How’s the water?”

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency experts, who monitor the ocean water quality along our nation’s coastlines, indicators show that the coastal waters are in good health.

“The water’s cold in May, but it’s clean. EPA has monitored the mid-Atlantic coastal ocean water quality for 20 years and has seen continuing progress in water quality. The combined efforts of governments, local leaders and individual citizens have led to a cleaner, healthier ocean that we are all able to enjoy,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman.

William Muir, EPA’s oceanographer for the mid-Atlantic region said EPA monitored 200 miles of coastal waters from Delaware to southern Virginia this spring, and found that the waters currently meets or exceeds EPA's safety standards for swimming.

Muir leads EPA’s mid-Atlantic Coastal Monitoring Team, scientists who
board EPA’s oceangoing survey vessel, the Peter Anderson, and monitor these waters by analyzing samples. The ocean monitoring team just completed its research last week, and will continue to patrol the coast throughout the summer. The data collected, along with data from EPA’s aerial surveillance, provide coastal states with a broader view of the condition of the region’s coastal waters. In addition, the information is used to better understand long-term trends in coastal water quality.

Perhaps some of the best news is that bacteria counts at mid-Atlantic ocean beaches have been consistently low. However, with the increased population along the coast, problems remain with storm water runoff and other effects of population growth. These need to continue to be monitored.

Except for closures around a few wastewater outfalls, all 200 miles of coastal shell fisheries are open, giving the mid-Atlantic the highest percentage of harvestable shellfish waters in the country.

Marine debris in coastal waters has decreased, especially in the outer shelf area,
50 miles out and farther – due in large measure to several federal pollution prevention laws. These laws prohibit ocean dumping and have curbed hazardous waste, medical waste, plastics and trash from washing up on ocean beaches.

Another indicator of coastal ocean health is water clarity. Atlantic coastal waters have easily passed the “toe test” for years. During the 1980s, the water was clear for three to six feet. Last summer, some of the coastal waters were clear to depths of 30 feet.

Another indicator of ocean health is nutrients, coming from urban runoff and agricultural practices, that can stimulate potentially harmful amounts of algal growth. During the last 20 years, phosphorus and nitrogen have steadily increased, but not dramatically. While the Chesapeake Bay states have been successful at controlling phosphorus, nitrogen levels continue to rise, indicating that work still needs to be done. Pennsylvania and Virginia recently received approval for coastal non-point source pollution programs, which will help reduce the amount of pollutants reaching coastal waters.

Muir reminisced, “We're seeing improvements across the board. However, we must remain vigilant at protecting our coastal waters, and this means protecting all the tiny creeks, streams and rivers that flow into them. But it really is rewarding to see that the health of the ocean is coming back – we’ve seen the dolphins return too. So, now all the vacationers have to worry about is – will the sun be out when they go to the shore?”