Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
QUINCY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — If a beach day is on your itinerary for the Fourth of July, you may need to make sure your beach is open.
More than 20 beaches are closed as of July 1 because of high bacteria levels in the water. There are over 1,110 public and semi-public beaches monitored in the state. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, when levels of Enterococci or E. Coli exceed the limits set for the beach for two consecutive days, the water is considered unsafe for swimming.
Bacteria can enter the water in a variety of ways. These can include stormwater run-off, failing or malfunctioning septic systems, combined and sanitary sewer overflows, leaking sewer pipes, illegal sewer hookups, agricultural runoff and wildlife and pet waste. Swimming in a closed beach could result in illnesses.
If you do manage to make it to an open beach, you might want to consider proper beach etiquette. Multiple people at Wollaston Beach in Quincy Thursday said littering was the biggest beach faux pas.
"Just seeing trash on the beach, the absolute worst. I hate coming to the beach and there's like cigarette butts everywhere or plastic. Got a sea turtle wrapped up in a bucket — don't like that," said one beachgoer.
Other complaints among beachgoers included loose dogs and loud music.
"Music has gotten out of control, very out of control," said Brielle from New York.
WBZ’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.