Several beaches are reported as contaminated and polluted as of 2025:
- On the West Coast of the U.S., the Santa Monica Pier ranks as the second most polluted beach, primarily contaminated by untreated sewage impacting visitors' health risks such as stomach flu, ear infections, respiratory infections, and rashes.
- Playa Blanca in Baja California, Mexico, is identified as the most polluted beach along the West Coast due to sewage-contaminated runoff from the Tijuana region.
- Other contaminated beaches on California’s West Coast include Tijuana River Mouth, Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek, Erckenbrack Park in Foster City, and Tijuana Slough, all affected by sewage pollution and urban runoff.
- Nationally in the U.S., over 60% of beaches had at least one day of contamination with fecal bacteria in 2024, with the Gulf Coast (84%), West Coast (79%), and Great Lakes (71%) being the most affected regions. The East Coast had 54% of contaminated beaches, while Alaska and Hawaii showed relatively lower contamination rates.
- In Lebanon, 14 out of 38 beaches monitored were deemed risky for swimming due to fecal bacteria contamination, notably in heavily visited areas like Beirut.
- Internationally, beaches such as Juhu Beach in Mumbai, Kuta Beach in Bali, and Serendipity Beach in Cambodia suffer from high pollution levels mainly due to untreated sewage and waste.
- Some locations have also closed beaches temporarily due to pollution concerns, such as certain beaches in Malta.
These contaminations are largely caused by untreated or partially treated sewage, urban runoff, failing infrastructure, and pollution from industrial or residential waste. Health risks from swimming in polluted beaches include gastrointestinal illnesses, respiratory problems, skin rashes, and ear infections.
