Today, going to the beach is not as simple as it used to be. Our shorelines are becoming an environmentalist's nightmare-and a threat to swimmers, too. How can you decide if a beach is clean? one place to look for help is the local health department of a coastal community. it often monitors chemical and bacterial levels in water which are usually undetectable to the naked eye. Also, consider the amount and type of beach debris. Although there's no evidence linking debris with water pollution that could harm humans, thousands of marine animals die every year after eating or becoming tangled in plastic six-pack containers, fishnet, and other synthetic matter. Plastic on the beach mean you may find dead marine life in water.