Kids & Family

Douglas Manor Ranked Worst in City for Health Standard Violations, Report Says

National Resources Defense Council releases its annual beach report.

The beach at Douglas Manor was ranked first among swimming sites in the five boroughs for health standard violations in a new report by the National Resources Defense Council.

The council's study analyzed data from water tests conducted at more than 3,000 beaches across the nation. In the report, the group rates the beaches based on water quality and public notification.

Douglas Manor's beach had the highest number of violations based on unsafe swimming conditions, according to the report.

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"The measurements show certain things and I assume they are fairly done," said Joe Warren, a member of the . "But I think there should be more research on the cause of it."

Community leaders have said that neighborhood cesspools have been blamed for pollution in the water, but question whether a few houses could affect a body of water as large as Little Neck Bay.

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The study found that the most common cause of contamination at New York beaches was stormwater runoff. But contamination was also caused by sewage spills and leaks and wildlife.

An increase in the region during the past year was attributed to heavy precipitation and Hurricane Irene's visit to the five boroughs.

"This time of year, New York and New Jersey beaches are flooded with visitors from near and far, but unfortunately they're often inundated with dangerous pollution that can make swimmers sick as well," said Lawrence Levine, a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Niagara County had the highest health standard violation rate in the state. Queens ranked fourth, the Bronx came in sixth. But Brooklyn as well as Suffolk and Nassau Counties fared slightly better.

Douglaston's beach had the most violations, while Krull Park in Niagara County ranked second worst. Brooklyn's Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach came in sixth on a list of private beaches for the most water pollution.

City beaches that met health standards included Coney Island, Rockaway Beach and Orchard Beach.


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