For Immediate Release: Contacts: Pam DiBona, ELM (617)742-2553

Thursday, June 29 2000 Elizabeth Sturcken, Surfrider Foundation (617)723-2996

Paul Burns, MASSPIRG (617)292-4800

When holiday beach-goers head to the water this weekend, will they be swimming with harmful bacteria? More than 60 percent of surveyed beaches in Massachusetts are not tested for harmful bacteria and viruses at least once a week, according to What’s in the Water? a report released today by several of the state’s leading environmental organizations. The report also shows that more than half the beaches surveyed use outdated methods – unchanged since the 1950s – which do not reliably detect dangerous levels of bacteria at public beaches. The report’s authors – the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), Surfrider Foundation, and MASSPIRG – called for immediate passage of the Beaches Bill (H. 3134) which requires more frequent water quality testing of Massachusetts beaches and public notification about water pollution at public beaches. Currently the bill awaits action by the House Ways and Means Committee.

"The data clearly show there are health threats to Massachusetts bathers," said Pam DiBona, Legislative Director for ELM. "More than half of the state’s beaches are not tested every week – yet we know that during heavy rain millions of gallons of contaminated stormwater and sewage are entering local waterbodies. It’s clear that there is a need for more frequent monitoring."

The report contains beach data from more than 250 beaches in more than 100 communities across the Commonwealth. The information was compiled from surveys done by the state Department of Public Health and the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1998, and supplemented by data gathered in the past year from local Boards of Health.

"It’s hard to feel safe about swimming at Massachusetts beaches – especially after a rainstorm – when we don’t know what’s in the water," said Elizabeth Sturcken, chair of the Massachusetts chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. "It is irresponsible that state and local officials don’t regularly test our beach water, especially when you consider that coastal tourists spend $1.5 billion each year in Massachusetts."

According to Sturcken and the others releasing the report, pending legislation known as the Beaches Bill (H.3134) would remedy this problem. "The Beaches Bill raises the bar on most current water monitoring

programs in order to better protect public by providing resources to municipalities for testing, and requiring those results to be posted at the beach," she said.

Senator Steven Lynch (D-Boston) is a cosponsor of the Beaches Bill. "As a legislature, we have an obligation to protect the residents of our state. Testing beach water and letting people know it’s safe is good public policy, just as it is to test drinking water," he said. Proponents of the Beaches Bill have stepped up their campaign to have the House Ways and Means Committee release the bill for a vote, so that it can be passed before the end of the legislative session on July 31.

"As families head to the beach this holiday weekend, they should not have to worry about whether the kids will be swimming in potentially harmful bacteria and viruses," said MASSPIRG Environmental Attorney Paul Burns. "The Beaches Bill will finally give citizens the information they need to know to determine whether or not the water is safe."

Samantha Overton, Deputy Commission of the MDC was on hand at the press conference and spoke about the MDC’s efforts in water quality testing at its 17 area beaches. "Our beaches are tested weekly, and some are tested every day," said Overton. "The public has a variety of ways to obtain information about our beaches without even going to them, via the Internet or our beach hotline."

The environmental groups agree that Boston Harbor is a model for the rest of the state. "The MDC is doing a great job monitoring and notifying the public when water quality standards are not met," said Berney. "All beaches in the Commonwealth should do so well – and with the Beaches Bill, they will," added Sturcken.

The Beaches Bill must be passed by both houses of the Legislature by August 1^st and then signed by Governor Cellucci to become law.