Beachgoers will be told more about whether it's safe to go in the water under a court settlement between environmentalists and the EPA.
EPA will also be required to study the health risks posed by storm water runoff, the biggest known source of beach pollution.
Announcement of the settlement follows publication of the NRDC's 18th annual beach water quality report, which found that in 2007 U.S. ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches logged more than 20,000 closing and advisory days, the second-highest number ever.
If the EPA ups the criteria, we will have a lot more than 20,000 closings and advisories. It could be a shock for the beachgoing public. If we go from 20,000 to 40,000 closings and advisories, the public could react by demanding a relaxation of standards.
Hopefully, the public would react in favor of cleaning up the contaminants.
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