BAY WATCH : Making Waves

At first glance, the news about California’s beaches looks a bit better this year in the Natural Resources Defense Council’s annual survey of U.S. beaches. California beaches reported fewer closures in 1992 than in 1991--”at least” 609, instead of 745. But that qualifier, “at least,” speaks volumes not only about the dangerous water quality along too many U.S. beaches but the sad state of reporting as well.

California’s beach-closing figures may be significantly understated because San Diego County, which accounted for 51% of all closings in the state in 1991, provided little data on beach closings or advisories last year. San Diego County is not unique. Several coastal states or localities monitor ocean and bay beach water for swimmers only infrequently, if ever. Indeed, in some parts of the country less monitoring was done in 1992 than in earlier years because of budget cutbacks.

Yet the enormous health risk posed by continuing contamination of ocean waters remains. High levels of bacteria caused the majority of the more than 2,600 beach closings or advisories that the Natural Resources Defense Council reported last year. This contamination, often from sewage discharges, can cause gastroenteritis, dysentery and even hepatitis.

National water quality standards, and consistent monitoring and public notification requirements, would go far toward improving the quality of the nation’s beaches--and of public health. Legislation to do that is currently before Congress. It should pass before the beaches open next summer.