Everyone wants to have a good time at the beach without worrying about getting sick. EPA helps the states and local governments run a beach protection program will help keep you from getting sick. Beach Protection Programs help reduce your exposure to bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms that cause people to get sick. EPA's BEACH program aims to create tests that will detect pollution faster and find better ways to keep you informed about problems at beaches near you. We also look for ways to help states and local governments better predict when pollution will occur (like after rain storms).
With better ways to predict problems, test the water, and let people know about dangerous conditions, your beach managers can help you decide when and where to swim. EPA is also offering grants (money to help build these programs) to states on the coast so they can get their programs up and running faster.
Our beaches web site for grownups has information about those grants and about specific beaches in the United States.