Swim Advisory Lifted For Brick's Windward Beach

Brick, NJ -- A swimming advisory at Windward Beach on the Metedeconk River was lifted Wednesday, July 13, after a second round of water testing by the Ocean County Health Department showed bacteria levels had dropped to safe levels.

On Tuesday, July 12, water testing results showed an Enterococcus count of 110 colonies per 100ml, which exceeded the level of 104 that is set for salt water, according to the health department.

On Wednesday, the results of retesting in three spots showed two with levels of less than 10 colonies per 100 ml, and one with 10 colonies per 100ml, the health department said.

The water at the county's salt water and freshwater beaches is sampled weekly, with the saltwater sites sampled on Mondays and freshwater on Tuesdays, the department said.

If a water sample tests high, that beach is resampled; if the second sample is high, the health department notifies the beach operators to close it to swimming and bathing. The beach will be resampled every day until the sample falls under the standard, then the bathing area may re-open.

Enterococcus is a bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Common problems associated with swimming in contaminated water are ear, eye and skin infections. Diarrhea and other water-related illnesses can occur from accidentally swallowing contaminated water.

Elevated bacteria levels often occur in the wake of a heavy rain, as fecal matter from animals as well as fertilizer and pollutants get washed into waterways.

The Ocean County Health Department recommends against swimming for at least 24 hours after a rainfall event at all bay, lake, river and creek bathing beaches. Please check with the municipality for up to the minute status after a rain event, the health department says on its website.

There is a hotline that is available 24 hours a day and can be reached at 732-341-9700 ext. 7776 in Northern Ocean County and at 800-342-9738 in Southern Ocean County.