Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend in 2025, public health officials in at least six U.S. states including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Iowa have issued advisories and closed numerous beaches due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Nearly 30 beaches in Massachusetts and 12 in Iowa have been specifically identified as unsafe for swimming. The closures and advisories stem from excessive levels of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococcus, which exceed federal safety standards. This situation follows a broader trend revealed by a recent report indicating that nearly two-thirds of U.S. beaches experienced fecal contamination at some point in the previous year. The Gulf Coast was noted as having the highest percentage of contaminated beaches, with more than half of East Coast beaches also testing positive for fecal contamination. In Maine, over 50 beaches along the coastline tested positive for unsafe levels of fecal indicator bacteria in 2024. Similar advisories have been issued in Florida and Maryland, highlighting ongoing water quality concerns at popular swimming spots. Additionally, some beaches in the UK and Spain have restricted swimming due to fecal contamination. The elevated bacteria levels pose health risks and have disrupted typical holiday plans for many Americans.