Florida beaches ranked fifth out of 30 states surveyed for beach water quality, according a new report by the National Resources Defense Council.

The study, which compiles beach water monitoring data from public health officials from across the country, ranked 30 states based on the frequency of water monitoring and the level of bacterial and environmental pollutants in beach water.

Based on national beach water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, the report ranked Delaware with the some of the nation's cleanest beaches and Louisiana with some of the dirtiest. The report also individually ranks 12 of the cleanest beaches and 16 of the dirtiest.

While no Florida beaches rank among the cleanest beaches, none ranked amongst the dirtiest. Overall, the state's beaches received high marks for frequency of monitoring and reporting and for clean water quality.

However, the report highlighted concerns over the elimination of Florida state's beach monitoring program, a trend occurring across the country as state budgets shrink.

"It is a concern that some states are cutting back on testing," said Jon Devine, the environmental advocacy groups senior water attorney. "Congress has chronically underfunded the beach act in previous years and that cuts support for beach monitoring and notification."

The Natural Resources Defense Council issues the report every year just before the July 4 holiday to inform beachgoers about the water quality at beaches.

With nearly 10 trillion gallons of untreated waste water spilling into the nations beaches, the health risks associated with swimming in contaminated water are real and include minor sickness like stomach flu, diarrhea, skin rash, and ear infections to more serious problems which involve neurological disorders.

Steven Fleischli, the acting director of the water program at the council, urged beachgoers to use the study as guide for which beaches are safe to swim in this summer. He also asked that the public do its part in keeping beaches clean.

"In their own lives the public can be stewards of the beach," Fleischli said.

Go here to read the rest:

Florida beaches rank high in water quality, escape nation’s dirtiest list