2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report Released By Save The Sound

STAMFORD, CT — The nonprofit organization Save the Sound released results of its 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report on June 10, according to a news release, and Quigley Beach in Stamford was rated highly among public beaches with regards to water quality.

According to the report, 79% of the more than 200 Long Island Sound beaches highlighted in both Connecticut and New York earned "A" or "B" grades for water quality in the 2020 swimming season.

A top 20 list of public beaches based on water quality for Connecticut can be found below. A list for New York was made as well.

Connecticut

• Waterford Town Beach, Waterford
• Dubois Beach, Stonington
• Westbrook Town Beach, Westbrook
• Esker Point Beach, Groton
• McCook Point Beach, East Lyme
• Eastern Point Beach, Groton
• Quigley Beach, Stamford
• Woodmont Beach, Milford
• White Sands Beach, Old Lyme
• Burying Hill Beach, Westport

New York's list was comprised of nine beaches on Long Island, and one in the Bronx.

But the report noted a decline in water quality at many beaches in the days following rain events, which Save The Sound called "troubling" due to the increase of wet weather and climate change. Save The Sound is calling on elected officials to invest additional resources to infrastructure like sewer lines and stormwater systems to help with beach water quality after heavy storms.

"The great news illustrated in this year’s report is that there are superb swimming beaches across the length and breadth of the Long Island Sound in both NY and CT," said Tracy Brown, Regional Director of Water Protection for Save the Sound, in a news release. "But the report also demonstrates that there are challenges still to be overcome involving wet weather related pollution at specific beaches, the quality of sewer or septic infrastructure in some beach communities, as well as issues of restricted beach access for the general public."

Gregory O’Mullan, environmental microbiologist and professor at Queens College who consulted with Save the Sound on the report, said in a news release that beach water quality monitoring is critical to managing pollution and protecting public health, and that it is federally funded through the EPA and supervised locally by departments of health.

"Our most important role has been to sift through the data and make it easily accessible to the public and to elected officials so that communities can take action where needed," he said in a news release.

United States Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said in the news release that the report proves that progress is being made to clean up the Long Island Sound, but more work needs to be done.

"Significantly more federal dollars are required to ensure that the Sound remains a vibrant, clean, and healthy place for all to enjoy," he said. "Investments to confront climate change and rising sea levels, to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities, and to reduce runoff from pesticides and fertilizers are even more crucial to protect and grow ecotourism that is such a vital part of our region’s economy. I am committed to fighting for every possible dollar to defend this beloved natural treasure."

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said that as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he'll continue to advocate for increased funding to preserve the Sound.

"The Long Island Sound is a critical asset to our state’s economy, and we have no choice but to protect it. Today’s report is good news for families as they head to the beach this summer, but we need to do more to clean up our beaches and improve water quality," he said in the news release.

To view interactive maps on water quality at beaches on the Long Island Sound and to find public beaches and locations of kayak and canoe entry ramps plus other information, click here.

To gain access to the full Save The Sound 2021 Beach Report, click here.