These are the Boston area's cleanest (and dirtiest) beaches

South Boston's shoreline has the cleanest urban beaches in the country — at least according to the latest water quality report card.

Why it matters: If last year's conditions are any indication, many Boston-area beaches are likely safe to swim in this summer.

Zoom in: Several Boston neighborhood beaches scored at or near 100% for water quality, despite last year's rainy summer.

• Three South Boston beaches earned water quality safety ratings of 100% for 2023.

Yes, but: The Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's annual water quality report card rated beaches in the Boston Harbor region 86% in 2023, down from 93% in 2022, per the State House News Service .

• Most neighborhood beaches had lower water quality ratings than they did in 2022.
• Winthrop Beach's water quality has dipped from 100% in 2020 and 2021 to 82% last year.
• The only beaches that saw quality increases were M Street and Nantasket.

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