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Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Blue Water Task Force’s key function is to provide water quality information to coastal communities, identify problems with beach water pollution, work to raise awareness of pollution problems, and implement solutions. 

As shown in Surfrider’s 2025 Clean Water Report, BWTF volunteers are measuring high bacteria levels at many beaches and recreational waterways where stormwater runoff and failing sewage infrastructure are polluting our coastal waters.

In many instances, no one else is monitoring these sites, or agency sampling seasons are restricted to only a few months during the summer. This further underscores the importance of community-generated information, like Surfrider’s BWTF data, to help ensure safe recreation and ultimately restore reliable clean water access in coastal communities.

In the United States, 65% of the beaches we tested yielded at least one high bacteria result that exceeded state health standards in 2025.

To address this, Surfrider continues to advocate at local, state, and federal levels for solutions to stormwater runoff, failing sewage infrastructure, and other contributing sources responsible for polluted conditions.

With that, we would like to highlight 10 Beach Bacteria Hot Spots across the country where the BWTF consistently measures high bacteria levels. The list — in no particular order — shows the percentage of samples collected at each beach that resulted in bacteria counts exceeding the state health standard for recreational waters. The higher the percentage, the more often these areas were unsafe to visit.

Beach/Location with High Bacteria Rate

1. Ballard Park (Melbourne, FL) — 76%

2. Margaret Pace Park (Miami, FL) — 64%

3. Park View Kayak Launch (Miami Beach, FL) — 92%

4. Thea Foss Floating Dock (Tacoma, WA) — 29%

5. Linda Mar Beach (Pacifica, CA) — 72%

6. San Luis Creek at Avila Beach (San Luis Obispo, CA) — 47%

7. Imperial Beach (San Diego, CA) — 89%

8. Hakipuʻu Boat Ramp (Hakipuʻu, Oʻahu) — 82%

9. Punaluʻu Beach Park (Punaluʻu, Oʻahu) — 100%

10. Moloaʻa Stream Mouth (Moloaʻa Beach, Kauaʻi) — 100%

All of the beaches have popular recreational use and pose real health risks to swimmers, surfers, and families. Each location regularly shows dangerous levels of fecal-indicator bacteria linked to human illnesses, including gastrointestinal issues, flu-like symptoms, and serious skin conditions like MRSA and staph infections.

Although these findings are serious, the BWTF is ensuring that local communities are informed before they choose which beach to visit and enjoy. Want to take a deeper dive into the report’s findings?

To clean water from coast to coast,

Your Friends at Surfrider

SURFRIDER.ORG