An annual report, based on data obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on more than 3 500 beaches, has found that beaches across the country closed because of pollution or issued pollution-related health advisories for a total of more than 22 000 days last year, down from more than 25 000 in 2006.

However, a report in The New York Times points out that last year's figure was still the second-highest in the 18 years the group has conducted its study. Closings or warnings caused by spills or overflows from sewerage lines and treatment plants more than tripled, to above 4 000, while the number caused by pollution from miscellaneous sources like boats and wildlife soared by more than 650%.
Full report in The New York Times