Public health agencies in at least six states — California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York and Washington — closed beaches or issued no-swim advisories ahead of the Independence Day holiday after routine tests found unsafe concentrations of fecal bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococcus. Massachusetts barred swimming at 26 sites, four beaches were shut in New York, and Los Angeles County posted eight ocean-water quality warnings. Illinois issued at least eight advisories, Michigan closed three beaches, and Iowa discouraged swimming at 12 lake beaches because of E. coli or algal toxins. The Environmental Protection Agency sets national safety thresholds, but testing frequency and closure rules are set by individual states. Medical experts warn that exposure to contaminated water can trigger gastrointestinal illness, respiratory infections and skin rashes. Warm summer temperatures, heavy rainfall and aging sewer systems are among the factors that fuel bacteria spikes. The holiday-weekend closures follow a broader assessment released on 8 July by Environment America’s Research & Policy Center. The study found that 1,930 of 3,187 U.S. beaches — nearly two-thirds — recorded at least one day last year when bacteria counts topped federal limits. The Gulf Coast saw problems at 84% of monitored beaches, followed by the West Coast (79%), Great Lakes (71%) and East Coast (54%), while only 10% of beaches in Alaska and Hawaii failed to meet standards. Environment America estimates tainted recreational water is linked to about 57 million illnesses annually and argues that the trend will worsen without major upgrades to stormwater and sewage systems. The group cites Environmental Protection Agency data showing a $630 billion funding need over two decades and criticises White House budget proposals that would cut the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.