These Jersey Shore Beaches Under Swim Advisories Amid Bacterial Concerns

These Jersey Shore Beaches Under Swim Advisories Amid Bacterial Concerns

After routine water testing revealed excessive levels of bacteria, two Ocean County river beaches were placed under swimming advisories Thursday morning.

Advisories were issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection for Windward Beach in Brick, which is located along the Metedeconk River, and Cedar Point Beach in South Toms River, which is located along the Toms River.

According to the NJDEP's beaches website, NJBeaches.org, a swimming advisory is issued for New Jersey beaches when the bacterial count above 104 colonies of Enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample.

The NJDEP said that Windward Beach had 110 colonies and Cedar Point had 770 colonies per 100 milliliters in water sampled Tuesday.

Swim advisories are issued in the vicinity of any initial sample that surpasses the water quality guideline. Beach closures are warranted after two consecutive poor tests.

Stormwater runoff, sewage released or discarded from recreational boats, and domestic animal and wildlife feces are also sources of enterococci in water.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose, earaches, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms can all result from swimming in contaminated water.