Headed to a Texas Beach This Summer? Here’s Where the Water Was Most ‘unsafe for Swimming’ Last Year

It only takes a little poop to ruin a day at the beach. Last year in Texas, 141 out of 167 beach sites that were tested were found to be potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, according to a new Environment Texas Research and Policy Center study.Sources of contamination include sewage overflows and failing septic systems, as well as concentrated livestock manure and urban runoff, according to the study based on bacteria sampling data submitted to the National Water Quality Monitoring Council.“Clearly we have more work to do to make sure water at all our beaches is safe,” Jen Schmerling, the center’s deputy director, said in a written statement. “We must invest in water infrastructure that prevents pollution to ensure that America’s waterways are safe for swimming.”Which Texas beaches were the dirtiest in 2018? Seven spots in Corpus Christi were in the top 10 for most potentially unsafe swimming days. Test sites there with problems included Cole Park, Poenisch Park, Ropes Park and Corpus Christi Marina South. One site at Cole Park was found to be potentially unsafe on 52 days in 2018, or 81% of sampling days.   Continue reading...