New Hampshire beaches are among the nation’s cleanest, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council in its 20th Annual “Testing the Waters” report.
New Hampshire beaches ranked first in beach water quality among the 30 coastal and Great Lakes states.
The report, which goes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that only 1 percent of 1,712 samples collected at coastal New Hampshire beaches during 2009 exceeded the state standard of 104 counts of Enterococci/100 ml of water. Enterococci can cause a variety of infections in humans and are known for being resistant to antibiotics.
New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach State Park and Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Road were both awarded five stars. Only 19 beaches out of 359 of the nation’s most popular beaches received five stars.
Beaches are awarded stars for excellent water quality, frequent testing, and communicating advisories to the public. The ranking demonstrates how well the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), residents, town officials, and state organizations work cooperatively to keep beaches and coastal waters clean.
The EPA continues to provide funding for sampling and monitoring. The DES Beach Program is currently completing management plans for two coastal watersheds that will contain specific recommendations regarding septic systems, pet waste, and other sources to reduce bacteria loads at tidal beaches.
Cooperative efforts will identify pollution and contamination sources to implement remedial measures and keep New Hampshire’s top-rated beaches clean.
New Hampshire beaches ranked first in beach water quality among the 30 coastal and Great Lakes states.
The report, which goes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that only 1 percent of 1,712 samples collected at coastal New Hampshire beaches during 2009 exceeded the state standard of 104 counts of Enterococci/100 ml of water. Enterococci can cause a variety of infections in humans and are known for being resistant to antibiotics.
New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach State Park and Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Road were both awarded five stars. Only 19 beaches out of 359 of the nation’s most popular beaches received five stars.
Beaches are awarded stars for excellent water quality, frequent testing, and communicating advisories to the public. The ranking demonstrates how well the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), residents, town officials, and state organizations work cooperatively to keep beaches and coastal waters clean.
The EPA continues to provide funding for sampling and monitoring. The DES Beach Program is currently completing management plans for two coastal watersheds that will contain specific recommendations regarding septic systems, pet waste, and other sources to reduce bacteria loads at tidal beaches.
Cooperative efforts will identify pollution and contamination sources to implement remedial measures and keep New Hampshire’s top-rated beaches clean.
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