John Craven

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Jun 21, 2023, 5:37 PM

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Updated

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School is out for summer, but Connecticut’s beaches got their report card on Wednesday – and the grades are good.

“Over 78% of our beaches received an A or a B,” said Peter Linderoth, Save the Sound’s water quality director. “That's really good news.”

The environmental group released its 2023 Long Island Sound Beach Report at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. The beach grades are based on an average of the last three years.

Just steps away from the announcement, Corey Walker brought his whole family down from Hartford for a day in the – windy and chilly – sunshine on the first day of summer.

“Great day at the beach with my friends and family,” he said. “Thank God, I couldn't wait for it.”

The water may be cold, but at least it’s clean.

“Once you actually get in the water and start moving, it's perfect,” said Nikida Byrd of Hartford.

In our area, these beaches all received an A+:




Great Captain Beach (Greenwich)

Quigley Beach (Stamford)

Anchor Beach #2 (Milford)

Burying Hill (Westport)



The worst grades went to these beaches, including Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, one of Connecticut’s most popular summer spots:

Byram Park Beach (Greenwich) – C-

Pleasure Beach (Bridgeport) – C

Anchor Beach #1 (Milford) – C+

Seabluff Beach (West Haven) – C+

Linderoth said many lower-scoring beaches are often near water and sewer treatment facilities. The state is helping many communities upgrade those plants, like Bridgeport’s West Side Treatment Plant.

“These are things that are becoming easier to advocate for at the state level, and I only see that the improvements will continue,” said state Rep. Joe Gresko (D-Stratford), co-chair of the legislature’s Environment Committee.

Back on the beach, Walker said the water wasn't always so clear.

“It was difficult,” he said. “Couldn't really have that much fun. You can't go as far. But now, it's amazing.”