Pennsylvanians’ favorite beaches at risk from pollution
With Pennsylvanians from every corner of the state spending summer days at their favorite beaches, PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center released its newest clean water study, “Safe for Swimming?,” which revealed fecal bacteria levels at a total of 28 beaches across Pennsylvania.
The study looked at common destination beaches for many Pennsylvanians — the beaches along the Jersey Shore, and those along Lake Erie. Five Lake Erie sites were potentially unsafe on at least a quarter of the days tested. Lake Erie’s worst offender were Beach 11 East and West in Thompson Bay, which had bacteria levels high enough to put swimmers at risk for 17 of 39 days tested — or 44 percent.
“Swimming at the beach is a prime summertime joy for so many Pennsylanians, but clearly we have more work to do to make sure the water at all our beaches is safe,” said Ashleigh Deemer, Western Pennsylvania director with PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center.
Photo: JET ABC24’s coverage of PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center’s Wesetern Pennsylvania Director Ashleigh Deemer speaking at the release of the “Safe for Swimming?” report. Credit: JET ABC24.
