New Hampshire Lands in the Country’s Top 10 Beaches With the Highest Bacteria Levels

We know we're surrounded by bacteria on a daily basis.  It doesn't matter where we are, bacteria is there.  But let's be honest, you kind of like to think that when it comes to our outdoor activities, we're much less exposed because we're not touching doors, shopping carts, or roaming where someone sneezes with no place for germs to go.

We don't really think about it too much, but stormwater runoff brings bacteria into our otherwise-clean swimming beaches.

Speaking of that, let's get back to the top 10 most bacteria-filled beaches in the country where North Hampton State Beach in New Hampshire made the list.

According to Travel Off Path, a report by the Surfrider Foundation, over 8,500 samples were collected from 478 beaches across the country during 2021, and the report says it all comes down to water quality.

North Hampton State Beach has some work to do after samples collected from this Seacoast beach had a high bacteria rate of 24%.

When testing the water from each location a high bacteria rate of 20% or more of the samples collected from a beach failed to meet state health standards. Many samples that failed to meet health standards came from areas affected by stormwater runoff, such as creeks and rivers, or from beaches near freshwater outlets. According to the report, stormwater runoff is the leading cause of beach shutdowns and advisories in the United States.

If it makes you feel any better, it ranked 10 on the list.  Here's the full list for you that includes beaches from Hawaii to Florida.