Officials have closed off swimming at beaches in at least six states due to high bacteria levels. Here's where those closures are.

A seaside escape is always a popular summer activity, particularly for Fourth of July festivities, but with potentially harmful bacteria in various bodies of water, some beaches could be closed this holiday.

Just ahead of the long Independence Day weekend, beaches across the country have closed and issued advisories because of excessive levels of harmful bacteria. The culprit is fecal waste, a common summer problem in both freshwater and oceans that can cause gastrointestinal illness and skin infections.