Issued: Jun 2, 2022 (3:11pm EDT)

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EPA to Give Puerto Rico $330,000 to Support Water Quality Monitoring for Safe

Beach Recreation

Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov) Tracy McIntosh, (212) 637-3633, Mcintosh.Tracy@epa.gov

NEW YORK (June 2, 2022) - Puerto Rico is among 38 states, territories, and Indian Nations that will receive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding for its beach water monitoring and notification programs. The funding is being awarded under the BEACH Act. This year, EPA is expected to award about $10 million across the country, and Puerto Rico will receive $330,000 in BEACH Act funding. Since 2002 EPA's partners have used nearly $206 million in BEACH Act grants to protect beachgoers by monitoring beaches for bacteria, maintaining and operating public notification systems, identifying local pollution sources, and reporting results to EPA.

"It is always beach season in Puerto Rico, and these BEACH Act Beach grants enable our partners to ensure that beaches are safe and enjoyable for all," said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. "With this grant funding, the EPA is helping Puerto Rico monitor beach water quality and protect people's health so they can have fun without worry."

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA grants money to eligible state, territorial, and Indian Nations applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies notify the public by posting beach warnings or closing the beach. 

EPA's most recent Beach Report found that beaches on U.S. coasts and along the Great Lakes were open and safe for swimming 92 percent of the time in 2020. Check with your local public health authority on water conditions when making plans to go to the beach.

EPA's 2022 BEACH Act grant funding, contingent upon meeting the eligibility requirements, will be allocated to the following states, territories, and Indian Nations.

More information on grants under the BEACH Act, grant guidance, and contact information for state and local beach programs

To check on the latest closings and advisories at particular beaches, the public should contact the relevant state, tribal, or territorial beach program listed here.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook.

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