Last year, 59 Texas beaches — or more than 9 out of 10 — were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, according to a new report analyzing bacteria levels along the state’s coast. The study’s author, advocacy group Environment Texas, released the research as states look to determine how much federal and state funding to spend curbing sewage overflows and runoff pollution.
“Even as Texans are back to enjoying the fresh sea breeze and splash of waves at the beach, pollution is still plaguing too many of the places where we swim,” Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger said in a statement. “Now is the time to fix our water infrastructure and stop the flow of pathogens to our beaches.”
To compile its report, Environment Texas examined whether fecal indicator bacteria levels at Texas beaches exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s most protective “Beach Action Value” — a level associated with an estimated illness rate of 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.
The report shows 30 of the state’s beaches blew past that safety threshold on at least 25% of the days they were tested in 2024, making them potentially unsafe for swimming a quarter of the year or more. Beaches that fell into the category include popular vacation spots such as Galveston Island State Park, Port Aransas Park and Sea Rim State Park.
Meanwhile, Rockport Beach Park experienced the feds’ most-elevated bacteria level on 51% percent of days tested.
Environment Texas’ report cites runoff from roads and parking lots along with aging, unmaintained sewer systems and industrial livestock operations as common sources of fecal contamination that can put swimmers at risk and prompt beach closures.
People get sick around 75 million times annually from swimming in polluted water, scientists reported in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health. Water-borne contamination can cause nausea, diarrhea, ear infections and rashes.
Even though the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Congress passed in 2021 calls for major upgrades to sewage and stormwater systems, the authors of the Environment Texas report called for additional state investment to halt sewage overflows, repair aging infrastructure and implement nature-based solutions that can result in cleaner water.
“More than 50 years ago, our nation resolved that we would make all our waterways safe for swimming,” Metzger said. “It is time for Texas officials to commit themselves to that goal and build on the progress of the bipartisan infrastructure law to get there.”
Those who want to check whether a Texas beach is currently safe for swimming can consult the Texas General Land Office’s TexasBeachWatch.com site for up-to-date information on beach closings and health advisories.
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This article appears in Jun 26 – Jul 9, 2025.