Thousands of US beaches have been condemned for failing to meet water safety standards — just months after Washington issued a warning to US citizens not to swim in Bermuda because of health fears.

According to a study by environmental advocacy group the National Resources Defense Council, bacteria levels in ten percent of coastal and lakefront beaches across the US are higher than the level deemed acceptable by Government’s Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the study, beaches in New England, the Gulf coast and along the Great Lakes are the worst affected, with stormwater runoff and untreated sewage blamed for the contamination. Beaches breaching safety standards have been closed off to the public.

In March the US Consulate warned Americans that the Island’s beaches could be a health hazard after sewage “grease balls” washed up on South Shore beaches.

“Changing weather conditions — winds, swells, tides and rain — can bring rapid degradation of water quality along the beaches, resulting in human bacteria levels from fecal contamination up to four times the acceptable US standard,” the warning read, adding that swimmers could be hit by gastroenteritis, ear infections, respiratory illnesses and other infections

Government subsequently pointed out that the contamination was restricted to limited areas, lasted for short periods and only happened under specific weather conditions.