The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide $261,000 to Alabama to help monitor coastal beach water quality and protect swimmers from exposure to harmful bacteria, the agency announced last week in a news release.

Part of a broader $9.7 million package distributed nationwide, the grant is funded through the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act. The program supports efforts by states, Tribes and territories to assess water quality at popular swimming areas along the coasts and Great Lakes and to alert the public when conditions could pose a health risk.

"Millions of Americans will travel to the beach this summer to relax or play in the water. They will make lifelong memories and provide a boon to local economies," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Peggy Browne. "With $9.7 million from EPA, states and local authorities can help ensure that our beaches are open for business and that beachgoers can swim and splash without fear of getting sick."

Alabama is among 38 recipients of the grant funding, which is part of EPA's "Powering the Great American Comeback" initiative. The program is aimed at supporting cooperative federalism and ensuring access to clean and safe water for all Americans.

States receiving BEACH Act funding must meet strict criteria, including maintaining EPA-approved numeric recreational water quality standards, implementing a water quality monitoring program, and having procedures for assessing and notifying the public of health risks. Grants are awarded based on shoreline mileage, beach season length and coastal county populations.

Other states in EPA Region 4 receiving BEACH Act grants include Florida ($499,000), Georgia ($282,000), Mississippi ($257,000), North Carolina ($299,000) and South Carolina ($294,000).

In addition to the coastal states, the grants are also awarded to certain Tribes and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Alabama's funds will bolster ongoing efforts to monitor the Gulf Coast, particularly during peak summer months when tourism and water recreation reach their highest levels.

To learn more about the BEACH Act grants and view individual state programs, visit www.epa.gov/beaches/beach-grants. Before visiting the beach, residents are encouraged to check local advisories and water quality alerts through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management or county health departments.