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Maine Summary: 2006 Swimming Season
May 2007
- Introduction
- 2006 Summary Results
- For More Information
- Print version (PDF) of this document (176 K, 2 pages, About PDF)
- Raw data (MS-Excel) for Maine (155 K)
Introduction
Figure 1. Maine coastal counties with 2006 monitored beach data.
The BEACH Act of 2000 requires that coastal and Great Lakes states and territories report to EPA on beach monitoring and notification data for their coast recreation waters. The BEACH Act defines coastal recreation waters as the Great Lakes and coastal waters (including coastal estuaries) that states, territories, and authorized tribes officially recognize or designate for swimming, bathing, surfing, or similar activities in the water.
This fact sheet summarizes beach monitoring and notification data submitted to EPA by the state of Maine for the 2006 swimming season.
The Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) Program began in 2002 and has recruited new coastal beaches into the program each year. This is a voluntary program for Maine communities which are supported by the MHB Program staff and partnering agencies.
The Maine Healthy Beaches Program experienced the greatest number of advisories and closures in 2006 compared to previous seasons. There are several factors contributing to this including: the most rainfall of any other season, severe flooding in coastal areas, an increase in the number of beaches monitored and samples collected, and improved notification of beach advisories/closures by the towns and state parks. Our extensive review of the program prompted many updates and revisions, thus strengthening the overall program. The MHB Program has been assisting towns with further assessment of the tributaries contributing to poor beach water quality and identification of pollution sources. This effort has brought together local/state officials, partnering state agencies, non-profits and citizens with a focus of shared resources and problem solving. The MHB Program is committed to continuing this focus with priority towns, and improving beach management tools including routine assessment, notification, and data analysis.
| County | Total Beaches | Monitored | Not Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| Hancock | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Knox | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Lincoln | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sagadahoc | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Waldo | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| York | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| Totals | 46 | 43 | 3 |
2006 Summary Results
How many beaches had notification actions?
Figure 2: Monitored beaches with and without notification actions in 2006.
When monitoring of water at beaches shows that levels of certain bacteria exceed standards, Maine beach managers typically resample the sites in exceedance and post a beach advisory, warning people of possible risks of swimming. They also notify the public on the Maine Healthy Beaches Web site. Of the 43 coastal beaches that were monitored in 2006, 19, or 44 percent, had at least one advisory during the 2006 season (Figure 2).
How many notification actions were reported and how long were they?
Figure 3: Beach notification actions by duration.
A total of 38 beach notification actions were reported in the 2006 swimming season. Most actions were of relatively short duration, however. Figure 3 presents breakdowns of action durations.
What percentage of days were beaches under a notification action?
Figure 4: Beach days with and without notification actions.
For Maine's 2006 swimming season, EPA determined there were a total of 3,956 beach days associated with the 43 monitored beaches. Actions were reported on 150 of those days or about 4 percent of the time (Figure 4).
How do 2006 results compare to previous years?
Beginning in 2003, states are required to submit data to EPA under the BEACH Act for beaches which are in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Table 2 compares 2006 data with data reported in previous years.
| Year | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of monitored beaches | 37 | 42 | 43 |
| Number of beaches affected by notification actions | 7 | 14 | 19 |
| Percentage of beaches affected by notification actions | 19% | 33% | 44% |
