3 NJ Beaches At Risk Of Closing Due To Fecal Bacteria, DEP Says

At least three beaches were under advisory Wednesday because of "unsafe" levels of bacteria found in animal and human waste, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Syringes and needles were also found on two Jersey Shore beaches. Read more: Needles, Syringes Wash Up On 2 Jersey Shore Beaches

The problems were initially discovered Tuesday, with three beaches exceeding the bacteria concentration limit of 104 colony-forming units (cfu) of Enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, according to the DEP.

Advisories were issued at three beaches which were open to the public on Wednesday, while another two were closed for possibly unrelated reasons. It's not immediately clear why those two beaches, in Seaside Park and Toms River, were closed.

Some of the harmful effects of Enterococci, a bacteria found in animal and human waste, include infections that cause fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The same problem happened two months ago, whe 47 New Jersey beaches were found to have "unsafe levels," according to Larry Hajna, a DEP spokesman. Those beaches also tested above allowable levels for bacteria found in human and animal feces.

Read more: 47 NJ Beaches At Risk Of Closing Due To Fecal Bacteria, DEP Says

Back then, Hajna said the problem is caused largely by the rain that caused a lot of stormwater runoff carrying animal waste into the swimming areas. "Birds congregate a lot," he said. "When they defecate, it carries into the water."

Here are the beaches under advisory that tested high for bacteria:

• Atlantic City, Georgia, ocean beach
• Atlantic City, Missouri, ocean beach
• Long Beach Township, bay beach

Here are the beaches under temporary closure:

• Seaside Park, Brighton
• Toms River, Fielder

Photo Credit: Alexander Nguyen of Patch