The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday that it is giving out $9.75 million to help test the water at beaches across the country. The money will go to coastal and Great Lakes states, territories, and several Native American Tribes.
The goal of the funding is to monitor water quality and ensure swimmers do not get sick from contaminated water. Local groups will use the cash to monitor for high levels of harmful bacteria and to decide when to tell the public to stay out of the water.
This cash injection comes right before Memorial Day weekend, which is the official start of the summer beach season for millions of Americans.
“The Trump EPA is investing in clean water for all Americans this summer. By providing millions of dollars to keep swimmers safe, we are supporting strong beach community economies with our state and Tribal partners,” said EPA Chief Financial Officer Paige Hanson. “American families can kick off the summer this weekend with peace of mind as they visit our nation’s beautiful beaches to play in the water and relax with friends.”
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The money comes from a law called the BEACH Act. It fits into a bigger plan by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to work closely with local governments on safety.
The total cash is split up based on how long a place’s swim season lasts, how many miles of beach it has, and how many people live nearby. For example, Florida is getting $478,000, California is getting $477,000, and New York is getting $315,000. Smaller grants of $50,000 are going to specific Tribes, like the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and the Makah Tribe in Washington.
To get the money, states and Tribes have to follow strict rules. They must conduct regular tests of their water and meet 11 different goals for tracking and reporting pollution.
The EPA recommends that anyone planning a trip to the beach this weekend should check their local state or Tribal website first to see if there are any active warnings or closures.
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