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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- A new report from an environmental group ranks South Carolina ninth in the nation for the cleanest beach water.

The Natural Resources Defense Council issued its report Wednesday, saying Horry County beaches had the biggest problems.

Myrtle Beach spokesman Mark Kruea told the Sun News of Myrtle Beach that the report doesn't recognize all of the improvements the city has made in dealing with pollution in the ocean water.

Kruea says the city does more testing of ocean water than anyone else in South Carolina.

The report says 23 of the state's 63 beaches are checked on a regular basis for water quality. The study says 5 percent of samples exceeded the state's daily maximum bacteria and pollution standards last year. That's up from 4 percent in 2009.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)