Clean Beaches Council
Blue Wave Campaign®
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Who is the Clean Beaches Council?
The Clean Beaches Council is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization devoted to sustaining America's beaches. Since its inception, the Clean Beaches Council has developed innovative approaches to coastal management and protection of human health and the environment. A board of directors and advisors representing a broad consortium of academic, conservation, business, government, and health interests governs the Council. The mission of the Council is to promote public awareness and volunteer participation in sustainability while ensuring a legacy of clean beaches for all generations to come.
What is the Blue Wave® Campaign?
The Blue Wave Campaign is America’s first environmental certification for beaches. The goal of Blue Wave is to promote public awareness and voluntary participation in maintaining clean and healthy beaches.
Blue Wave beaches voluntarily pledge to uphold the following responsible beach management practices: water quality, beach and intertidal conditions, safety, services, habitat conservation, public information/education, and erosion management.
What is a “certified clean beach”?
A certified clean beach is a Blue Wave designated beach that is managed responsibly, with a focus on protection of human health and the environment. Clean beaches are relatively free of litter, have handicap accessibility and public restroom facilities, clearly demonstrate to the public laws and information on the beach and its management, and have swimmable waters.
How are the Blue Wave clean beach certification criteria developed?
The certification criteria are developed by a panel of experts in the seven management areas. These experts -- who hail from academia, government (state and local) agencies, national nonprofit organizations, environmental associations, tourism industry, media organizations, etc. -- review the draft criteria every two years. The panelists focus primarily on providing guidance in their expert areas (i.e., water quality standards), but they also review the entire criteria to ensure consistency across sections.
How does a beach become certified?
A representative of the beach community (i.e., the local government responsible for managing the beach, a local business consortium, a community group, etc.) fills out the application form and attaches the water quality data. That application is initially reviewed by the Clean Beaches Council staff, followed by an initial site visit to the beach. CBC’s team of scientists reviews the findings of inspection internally and hold a consultation with the community to go over their findings. If a beach has met the criteria, it will receive the certification designation. If it does not, whenever feasible, CBC will work with the community to help them make the necessary upgrades to certification level.
How long does certification last? If a beach becomes certified, are they always certified?
The Blue Wave clean beach designation lasts for one year, commencing on Memorial Day (last Monday of May) and ending the Sunday before Memorial Day of the following year (or one beach season). After that, the Clean Beaches Council must re-certify beaches every year for that beach to remain in the program and on the list of Blue Wave certified clean beaches.
Why should I choose to go to certified clean beaches?
Blue Wave designated beaches are clean and healthy places to swim and recreate. By going to a Blue Wave beach, you are demonstrating your commitment to healthy and responsible beach management. You are doing your part to help keep beaches clean, healthy and economically thriving!
Why should my beach become a certified clean beach?
The Blue Wave certification is a way to demonstrate nationally that your beach is a healthy and clean place to visit. It is a way for your community to highlight the good work they are doing to be both environmentally and economically responsible.
Won’t Blue Wave designation bring more people to my beach and make it more polluted because of an increased number of visitors?
The Blue Wave clean beach certification encourages and promotes a responsible ethic into the beach going public. As the public understands their role in being good environmental stewards to their favorite beaches, they will become advocates and leaders in sustaining beaches. Public awareness promoted through the Blue Wave program will help a beach sustain its beneficial management practices.
Why is there an application fee?
The Clean Beaches Council is an independent non-profit organization. The fees for the program cover the administration costs of the program, including inspections, consultations, a technical assistance report, and public outreach. Payment of the application fee does not guarantee certification.
How can I find the application materials & latest certification criteria?
You can find application materials and the certification criteria online here.
You can also receive a hard copy by contacting the Clean Beaches Council at info@cleanbeaches.org or at 866-WE-BEACH.
