12 months ago
PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- Maine has roughly 3500 miles of coastline, of which nearly 30 miles is beach, but only 35 of Maine's beaches monitor their water quality.
The Environmental advocacy group Environment Maine presented the results of a national study at a press conference in Portland.
"Our beaches continue to suffer from serious water pollution that puts swimmers at risk," stated Environment Maine's Garrett Schlein. "Across the country, the number of closing and advisory days for our nation's beaches topped 20,000 for the 4th consecutive year." There were 173 beach closing and advisory days in Maine in 2008, down slightly from the year before.
"When you look at this report and you look at the number of beaches that are monitored, it is a tiny amount," said Casco Baykeeper Joe Payne. "You look in Casco Bay, there are two beaches that are being monitored. You think there are more than two places to swim right here in this bay? Of course there are," added Payne. Environment Maine says more beaches need to be monitored to find pollution sources and prevent people from becoming seriously ill. Human and animal waste and storm water run-off are the major causes for pollution in Maine's coastal waters.
"We have to have monitoring at these swimming areas, if not, there should be signage saying 'this area is not monitored' at least raise public awareness," said Payne. The group wants local municipalities to do their own testing, which Payne says costs only a few hundred dollars a year to do. They would also like the state to require signage about water quality and for passage of a federal bill that would increase funding for monitoring and provide money to correct pollution sources once they are detected.
The report, the 19th annual study done by the National Resources Defense Council on beach water quality, rates Maine at the middle of the pack when it comes to water quality compared to other states. You can find the full report by clicking here.
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