The water at the beach looks clean, but is it? Most of the time, the water at beaches is safe for swimming. But you can't be sure the beach water is safe unless it's been tested. Water can be polluted by different things. Trash (like picnic plates, plastic bags and bottles, and cigarette butts) is easy to see. But bacteria and other things we can't see may also be in the water. Some of these things can make you sick.
Swimming or playing in unsafe water could result in things like sore throats or diarrhea. It could also lead to much more serious problems. To be sure whether your beach is safe for swimming, there are several things you can do:
Questions to ask your lifeguard | Things you can do to safely enjoy the beach