13 Beaches In NJ Under Swimming Advisory After Bacteria Test

NEW JERSEY – The state Department of Environmental Protection has place 13 beaches under swimming advisory after a water sample test showed the presence of high fecal bacteria.

Nine beaches in Ocean County and four in Monmouth have been placed under swimming advisory.

Each week, the NJDEP conducts water quality monitoring at 180 ocean and 35 bay monitoring stations along the New Jersey coast. The samples are analyzed for the presence of Enterococci – a bacteria found in animal and human waste. High levels of this bacteria are an indicator of poor bathing water quality.

The samples taken on Tuesday showed high levels of Enterococci. The New Jersey State Sanitary Code requires the bacteria concentration to not exceed 104 colonies per 100 milliliters of sample.

Here are the beaches under swimming advisory:

• 1st Avenue in Asbury Park City, Monmouth County
• Village Beach Club in Loch Arbour Village, Monmouth County
• South Bath in Long Branch City, Monmouth County
• North Bath in Long Branch City, Monmouth County
• 25th St Bay Front in Barnegat Light Borough, Ocean County
• Beachwood Beach West in Beachwood Borough, Ocean County
• Reese Ave Beach in Lavallette Borough, Ocean County
• New Jersey Ave in Long Beach Township, Ocean County
• East Beach Station Ave in Pine Beach Borough, Ocean County
• River Ave Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean County
• Maxon Ave Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean County
• Hancock Ave Beach, Seaside Heights Borough, Ocean County
• 5th Ave Bay Front, Seaside Park Borough, Ocean County

The swimming advisory will remain in effect until the water quality results are again within standards, the DEP said.

Sources of enterococci in water include storm water runoff, sewage discharged or dumped from recreational boats, and domestic animal and wildlife waste.

Swimming in polluted water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose, earaches skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms.

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