Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday 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 harmful bacteria. These closures primarily stem from excessive fecal contamination, including high concentrations of E. coli and Enterococcus bacteria, which pose health risks for swimmers. Massachusetts alone reported the closure of nearly 30 beaches, while Iowa advised against swimming at 12 beaches due to contamination. A broader national report revealed that nearly two-thirds of U.S. beaches experienced fecal contamination exceeding federal safety standards at least once in 2024. The Gulf Coast and East Coast regions were notably affected, with more than half of East Coast beaches testing positive for fecal contamination. In Washington state, 76% of tested beaches showed unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in 2024. Additionally, over 50 beaches along Maine's coastline tested positive for unsafe fecal indicator bacteria. These findings highlight ongoing concerns about water quality at popular recreational sites during the summer season. Public health authorities continue to advise caution for those planning to swim or engage in water activities at beaches and lakes across the country. Separately, some coastal areas in Spain, such as the Comunidad Valenciana and Granada, have also restricted bathing due to fecal contamination. In Japan, a coastal area in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, faced issues with large amounts of green algae causing discoloration and odor, with estimated damages reaching 1 million yen.