Sandy Hook Nude Beach Closed to Fecal Bacteria Now Reopen Wednesday

Sandy Hook - Another New Jersey beach was briefly closed this week due to high fecal bacteria levels in the water: The only legal nude beach in the state of New Jersey — Sandy Hook's famous Gunnison Beach — was closed to swimming Tuesday due to elevated fecal bacteria levels in the ocean water.

However, Gunnison reopened Wednesday to both sunbathers and swimmers alike — clothing optional, Sandy Hook Gateway National Park announced Wednesday morning.

Park rangers closed the beach Tuesday after tests showed enterococcus bacteria levels at 143/100mL. Safe levels are 104/100mL. This is the second time a Sandy Hook beach has been closed in three weeks: Lot D beach was closed July 7.

Enterococcus bacteria is commonly found in the intestines of humans and comes from human and animal waste. It can often be found in waterways after periods of heavy rains, which flood sewers. Lot D beach at Sandy Hook was closed earlier in July due to high levels of enterococcus and Ideal Beach in Middletown was closed for two days this month due to the same fecal bacteria.

"When it rains it pours, because it washes in polluted stormwater with animal waste and even septic waste onto our beaches,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Until we address the problems of Combined Sewer Overflows and stop this waste from going into our water, we will see more bacteria and more beaches being closed.”

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection does test the state's beaches for fecal bacteria, but testing is only done one day per week, on Mondays, and not necessarily after a heavy rain, when the sewers are most likely to overflow.

Wikimedia Creative Commons photo of Gunnison Beach