Advice

Maintaining healthy beaches is simple!

A little awareness on everyone's part will keep our beaches clean and beautiful. Don't worry, it's not going to spoil your fun. Staying healthy at the beach can be as simple as remembering your sunscreen.

Share the knowledge!

General Hygiene: Healthy Habits

  • Do not swim when you have diarrhea.
  • Do not swallow the water.
  • Shower with soap before swimming and wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
  • Do not go swimming when an advisory is posted.
  • Avoid water contact after heavy rainfall.
  • Maintain and routinely pump out your septic system.
  • Report any illicit or questionable discharges to your Local Plumbing Inspector.
  • Properly dispose of pet waste and/or livestock manure.
  • Maintain appropriate vegetative buffers along waterways.

Keeping Kids Clean

  • Take your children for frequent bathroom breaks.
  • Use "swim diapers" with absorbent padding.
  • Change diapers frequently, away from the water's edge - in a bathroom if possible.
  • Dispose of diapers properly. Place them in trash receptacles or seal them in a plastic bag to carry out with you.
  • Wash your kid's hands when they've been in the bathroom. A sanitary wipe or liquid hand sanitizer can do the trick.

Beach-Loving Pets and Wildlife

  • Scoop the poop. Carry it out or place securely in the trash. Keep an empty plastic bag tied to your dog's leash so you're always prepared.
  • Check and obey the dog rules posted at your favorite beach or water-side park.
  • Do not feed the birds or wildlife on or near the beach. Feeding can be harmful to waterfowl and water quality.
  • Trash may attract waterfowl and other animals. Carry out all trash or dispose of it properly.

Boating Basics

  • Download the Maine Healthy Beaches
    Boater's Education Brochure
  • Use Your Head! Never discharge untreated sewage directly into the water.
  • Dispose of boat sewage properly. Know the location of pump-out stations.
  • Make certain you know the laws. It is illegal to discharge raw sewage within 3 miles of the coast. All boats with an installed toilet must have a properly functioning Marine Sanitation Device (MSD). It is illegal to discharge any sewage (treated or untreated) in a No Discharge Zone designation.
  • If you know of any violations, report them to the local harbormaster.