With a heat wave sending temperatures in many parts of the country into the triple digits, many beachgoers seeking relief are likely to be distressed by reports of toilet paper sightings and test results indicating the presence of raw sewage.

Because it takes two to four days before water test results are available, it is likely that people are swimming in water contaminated with fecal waste and other pollutants before alerts are even issued. The EPA said it is trying to come up with faster testing methods, but in the meantime, beaches stay open for swimming until the results are in.

What is even more disconcerting is that some people have been going into the water and subjecting themselves to serious health risks despite posted warnings of dangerous pollution levels.

Contamination resulted in health warnings and beach closings no fewer than 20,000 times in 2005 -- a new record. The NRDC plans to sue the US Environmental Protection Agency, accusing it of failing to meet its Congressionally mandated obligation to improve monitoring standards. The EPA is doing little to trace the sources of contamination, the group charged.

"A day at the beach should not turn into a night in the bathroom, or worse, in the hospital," said Nancy Stoner, director of NRDC's Clean Water Project."There have been significant advances over the last two decades that we should be using to protect beachgoers, but the EPA is dragging its feet in implementing them."

However, the EPA maintains that the number of beaches monitored has quadrupled in the last 10 years, and that the reported increase in pollution levels could be the result of better testing.

In any case, there are some simple measures that people can take on their own to protect themselves from the health risks associated with exposure to polluted water. First among these, is to look for, and comply with, posted warnings about dangerous levels of contaminants.

People with compromised immune systems or cuts should avoid swimming in open water. Pollution levels are often high after heavy rainfalls due to runoff, so it's best to avoid swimming the day after a storm.

NRDC's 22 Beach Bums

The following beaches violated federal public health standards at least 50 percent of the time water samples were taken: