Revere Beach scores a water quality rating of 95%

All public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket receive a water quality score above 80%

For the first time in its testing history, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay has reported that every metropolitan beach from Nahant to Nantasket scored above 80% in its annual Water Quality Report Card. This is a historic achievement that reflects the organization’s 40 years of persistent advocacy, public investment in water infrastructure and rigorous testing. The Water Quality Report Card uses data collected by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to assess water quality at public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket, including Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull. Water samples are tested for the number of colony forming units of enterococci bacteria; this is the standard unit used to determine safe swimming conditions, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“It is exciting to see America’s First Public Beach achieve a 95% water quality rating,” said MBC Commissioner/State Representative Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere). “Visitors can swim at Revere Beach with confidence while also enjoying the diverse, free programming Save the Harbor provides through its Better Beaches Grant Program, including weekly beach yoga, kayaking and paddleboarding, and the annual International Sand Sculpting Festival.”

“It is gratifying to once again see so many of our spectacular urban beaches consistently testing at safe bacteria levels,” said Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Executive Director, Chris Mancini. “The region-wide scores above 80% are a testament to what sustained investment and scientific rigor can achieve. As we mark our 40th anniversary this year, we are as committed as ever to ensuring anyone can confidently get into or out on the water without worrying about bacteria and other pollution.”

Several beaches’ water quality ratings made remarkable comebacks. Nahant Beach rebounded to a 95% rating after four years of hovering around 80%. Meanwhile, Savin Hill Beach in Dorchester jumped to 100% after its dramatic drop to 68% last year, and Kings Beach in Lynn had the largest jump in its rating, receiving a 90% water quality rating.

“We’re proud that Massachusetts continues to have some of the cleanest urban beaches in the country,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “These results reflect decades of collaboration and stewardship focused on protecting and improving our public waterfronts, and we’re grateful for our partnership with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay in helping make that possible. It makes a real difference in how people experience our beaches and waterfronts. Clean water is essential, and access to it for recreation is a matter of equity. We remain committed to ensuring these coastal spaces stay resilient, accessible, and welcoming for generations to come.”

Currently the beaches use a posting and flagging system to alert the public to high bacteria levels. Unfortunately, the best technology available takes 24 hours to return results, meaning by the time the posting goes up, the information is already out of date. Save the Harbor recommends people get familiar with their beach’s individual characteristics by using the Department of Public Health’s interactive beach water quality dashboard and to not swim 24 hours after a heavy rain fall event (0.3 inches/hour).