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Surfers and swimmers beware. You may want to think twice about taking a dip at some of the States' most picturesque beaches as they may not as inviting as you might think.

One in ten water samples from beaches from Los Angeles to New York have failed to meet safety standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A new report has revealed that as well as getting a tan, holiday makers could pick up dysentery and hepatitis from some U.S. beaches.

One in ten water samples from beaches from Los Angeles to New York have failed to meet safety standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including a section of beach near Malibu Pier in California (pictured)

Around 3,500 samples were taken at beaches around the country in 2013, and those near the Great Lakes were the dirtiest, with high levels of bacteria. A total of 13 per cent of samples failed to meet basic standards.

It is thought that the water pollution has largely been caused by sewage and storm water overflowing, which often includes rubbish, oil and chemicals.

The EPA estimates that up to three-and-a-half million people become ill from contact with raw sewage from sanitary overflows each year.

'There can be hidden dangers lurking in many of our waterways in the form of bacteria and viruses that can cause a great inventory of illnesses like dysentery, hepatitis, stomach flu, infections and rashes,' said Steve Fleischli, water programme director for the Natural Resources Defence Council.

'It's really all of our urban slobber going untreated into local waterways,' he told CBS.

While 35 'superstar' beaches were identified by the agency - such as Coquina Beach South in Florida and Wildwood Crest at Orchid in New Jersey - a list of 17 'repeat offenders' that have serious pollution problems have been listed, including a picturesque spot in Malibu, California.

The EPA estimates that up to three-and-a-half million people become ill from contact with raw sewage from sanitary overflows each year and surfers in dirty water (illustrated with a stock image) risk getting dysentery, hepatitis or flu

Individual states with the highest failure rates of reported water sampled, were Ohio, with 35 per cent, Alaska with 24 per cent and Mississippi with 21 per cent.

Delaware, New Hampshire and New Jersey were found to have the cleanest beaches.

The EPA's report comes at a time when the agency is trying to strengthen pollution safeguards for two million miles of streams and wetlands, which are connected to large bodies of water.

While 35 'superstar' beaches - including Fort Desoto Park in Florida - were identified by the agency, a list of 17 'repeat offenders' that have serious pollution problems have been listed