15 Cleanest Beaches In The U.S.

Looking to get away from this week’s summer heat?  Then head for your closest watering hole to cool off.  If you’re lucky to live near one of these top 15 safest water quality beaches then you’ve got it made in the sand.  For several years, NRDC has issued star ratings to each of the 200 popular beaches around the country, based on indicators of beach water quality, monitoring frequency, and public notification of contamination. There were thirteen beaches last year that received the 5-star rating:

• California: Newport Beach in Orange County (2 of 3 monitored sections)

◦                     Newport Beach – 38th Street

◦                     Newport Beach – 52nd/53rd Street

• California: Bolsa Chica Beach in Orange County
• California: Huntington State Beach in Orange County
• Alabama: Gulf Shores Public Beach in Baldwin County
• Alabama: Gulf State Park Pavilion in Baldwin County
• Delaware: Dewey Beach in Sussex County
• Delaware: Rehoboth Beach – Rehoboth Ave. in Sussex County***
• Maryland: Ocean City at Beach 6 in Worcester County
• Minnesota: Park Point Franklin Park / 13th Street South Beach Park Point in St. Louis County
• Minnesota: Lafayette Community Club Beach in St. Louis County
• New Hampshire: Hampton Beach State Park in Rockingham County
• New Hampshire: Wallis Sands Beach in Rockingham County
• Texas: South Padre Island in Cameron County

The star system awards up to five stars to each select popular beach for exceptionally low violation rates and strong testing and safety practices. The criteria include: testing more than once a week, notifying the public promptly when tests reveal bacteria levels violating health standards, and posting closings and advisories both online and at the beach.  This has been a tough week heat wise for most of the country.  Stay safe and be smart about how much time you spend in the sun.  And if you know of someone elderly make sure you check in on him or her.  Otherwise keep enjoying this hot summer.

Photo Credit: John Vlahakis