High fecal bacteria levels trigger swim advisories, closures at New Jersey beaches

NEW JERSEY — High fecal bacteria levels have triggered swimming advisories at eight New Jersey beaches and lakes, while a ninth has been shut down completely by environmental officials.

WHAT IS THE FECAL BACTERIA ENTEROCOCCI AND WHY DOES IT IMPACT BEACHES?

The active monitoring alerts for today include:

Beaches:

Freshwater:

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), health officials test approximately 195 ocean and 25 bay stations along the coast each week. These samples are analyzed for Enterococci—a bacteria found in human and animal waste that serves as an indicator of poor water quality.

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If water samples exceed state standards, a swimming advisory is issued by the local health department alerting swimmers to potentially unhealthy water.

According to the department, beaches are closed if two or more consecutive samples exceed standards for Enterococci levels.

"State Sanitary Code requires that the concentration of bacteria not exceed 104 colonies of Enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample," NJDEP said. 

For example, Beesley's Point Beach measured 212 colonies on Monday, and while follow-up testing on Tuesday showed improved conditions on the north side of the beach, a southern sample tracking at 114 colonies kept the beach over the state's safety threshold.

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Tuesday's testing also resulted in 370 colonies at Beachwood Beach West, which is well above the maximum. 

While Enterococci bacteria themselves usually do not cause illness, their presence acts as a warning sign that more dangerous viruses or bacteria could be lurking in the water. 

Swimmers who enter contaminated waters risk developing skin, eye, ear, and respiratory infections, as well as severe stomach illnesses, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Enterococci live in the digestive tracts of humans and animals, making them a clear indicator of fecal pollution. While small amounts occur naturally in soil and plants, high levels typically stem from stormwater runoff, pet or wildlife waste, leaking septics, or sewage leaks.

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All the costal and freshwater beaches listed above will remain under active advisory or closed until a future round of testing clears them for swimming.