Concerns about water quality have arisen in several New Jersey swimming areas following tests that revealed elevated levels of fecal bacteria. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued swimming advisories as of June 21 at five coastal locations in Ocean and Cape May counties.
The advisories were prompted by detected elevated levels of enterococci, a type of bacteria used to assess water safety at recreational swimming spots. The affected locations include Cedar Point Beach and Beachwood Beach West in Ocean County, as well as Wildwood and Bay, Baywyn and Bay, and Ferry and Bay in Lower Township, Cape May County, according to the department.
“State standards allow no more than 104 enterococci colonies per 100 milliliters of sampled water,” the department explained. “If this threshold is exceeded, a swimming advisory is issued, and further samples are taken until water quality is confirmed safe.”
Regular testing at the state’s public recreational beaches is conducted by the DEP in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health and local health officials.
As of June 21, the DEP’s monitoring dashboard indicated no active coastal or freshwater closures. Advisories remain for several bayside areas due to high bacteria levels identified during recent testing.
Following a broader series of tests last week, elevated fecal bacteria levels were identified on June 16 at three ocean beaches in Monmouth County and six river and bay locations along the Jersey Shore, NJ.com reported. Additional testing brought many of these sites back to acceptable standards.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies several sources for enterococci, such as discharges from wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, stormwater runoff, sewage from recreational boats, and animal waste. While enterococci are considered not harmful to humans, they can be an indicator of other potentially harmful organisms in the water.
These pathogens might include viruses, bacteria, and protozoa causing illnesses that impact skin, eyes, ears, and respiratory systems. The EPA also advises that eating seafood from contaminated waters may cause illnesses.
Officials are maintaining observation on the affected areas and will continue testing until bacteria levels reach safe standards again.
Jessica Mekles from Fox News Digital contributed to this report. Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
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