LBI Beach Closed To Swimming Due To Bacteria Counts: DEP

HARVEY CEDARS, NJ — Swimming has been barred at the bay beach in Harvey Cedars after a repeated water quality sample showed elevated levels of bacteria in the water.

The state Department of Environmental Protection listed the 75th Street bay beach as closed to swimming on Thursday after two days of testing showed elevated levels of Enterococci, a bacteria found in human and animal waste, in the water at the beach.

Water samples taken Tuesday at three sites at the beach showed levels of 100, 140 and 160 colonies per milliliter of water. Samples taken Wednesday were higher, however, with 110, 250 and 160 recorded at the same three test sites.

The maximum allowable level is 104 colonies, the DEP website says.

The beach will remain closed to swimming until the samples return to acceptable bacteria levels .

Harvey Cedars is halfway between the Route 72 causeway's connection to Long Beach Boulevard and Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island.