In 2024, Puerto Rico emerged as a leader in water quality testing, having conducted the highest number of tests in the United States under the Blue Water Task Force program facilitated by the Surfrider Foundation. Over 7,000 samples were analyzed to detect the presence of enterococci, a type of bacteria that indicates fecal contamination in water.
This extensive volunteer-driven initiative identified ten sampling locations that exceeded public health standards in at least 20% of tests conducted. The findings raise concerns about water quality, which could have ramifications for coral restoration efforts in San Juan.
The Surfrider Foundation is also actively engaged in dune restoration projects in Miami, Florida. Local authorities, such as the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA), are seeking public input regarding the Beach Monitoring Program to enhance community engagement and improve environmental health.
