Health officials across the United States shut down multiple beaches over the Labor Day holiday weekend after water tests revealed unsafe levels of bacterial contamination, disrupting travel plans for thousands of families seeking to enjoy the unofficial end of summer. Authorities say the contamination, often triggered by storm runoff, sewage leaks, or warmer water conditions, posed potential health risks including stomach illnesses, skin infections, and respiratory problems for swimmers. The closures spanned coastlines from New England to California, as well as popular lakeside destinations, leaving local businesses and tourism hotspots struggling with sudden cancellations and lost revenue. Environmental experts warn that climate change and aging water infrastructure are making bacterial outbreaks more frequent and harder to manage, raising concerns about long-term impacts on public health and recreation. Officials are continuing to monitor water quality and expect some beaches to reopen once bacterial levels fall, but the holiday closures underscored the growing challenges of keeping America’s waterways safe for swimmers.