Ocean Grove's Spray Avenue beach is one of eight area beaches placed under swimming advisories after tests revealed above-acceptable levels of a bacteria found in human waste, the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP) said on the web site for its Cooperative Coastal
Monitoring Program.
The bacteria was likely carried by storm water run-off after yesterday's rains, officials said.
Other locally affected beaches are at 7th and 3rd avenues in Asbury Park, Sylvania Avenue in Avon-by-the-Sea, Ocean Park in Bradley Beach, Beacon Boulevard in Sea Girt, and Essex and Washington avenues in Spring Lake.
A total of 15 beaches in Monmouth and Ocean counties are under advisories, which warn the public of potentially unhealthy water conditions, the NJDEP said.
Water samples are taken by local boards of health, and notices are posted at the entrances to affected beaches. Pictured is the notice at the entrance to the Spray Avenue beach, an unguarded beach near Ocean Grove's north end pavilion.
In the process described on the NJDEP's web site, water samples are analyzed for the presence of Enterococci bacteria found in animal and human waste. The state sanitary code requires that the concentration of Enterococci not exceed 104 colonies per 100 milliliters (ML) of sample. Advisories are issued when the concentration is greater than 104 Enterococci/100 ML. Additional samples will be taken until the count is below 104.
The affected beaches are open today but can be closed if two consecutive samples test above the accepted Enterococci level and will remain closed until the levels of bacteria return to standard levels.
Swimming in or contact with polluted water can cause a variety of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and flu-like symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, fever, and chills, the NJDEP said.
Bacteria levels are usually highest near storm water pipes, the Monmouth County Health Department says on the notice. Beachgoers can reduce the risk of illness by not swimming or wading in water near storm water pipes and avoiding contact with water flowing from storm water pipes and onto the beach.
For more information, go online to www.njbeaches.org/closing_advisories/
UPDATED to include the picture of the notice posted at the Spray Avenue Beach in Ocean Grove.
The bacteria was likely carried by storm water run-off after yesterday's rains, officials said.
Other locally affected beaches are at 7th and 3rd avenues in Asbury Park, Sylvania Avenue in Avon-by-the-Sea, Ocean Park in Bradley Beach, Beacon Boulevard in Sea Girt, and Essex and Washington avenues in Spring Lake.
A total of 15 beaches in Monmouth and Ocean counties are under advisories, which warn the public of potentially unhealthy water conditions, the NJDEP said.
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In the process described on the NJDEP's web site, water samples are analyzed for the presence of Enterococci bacteria found in animal and human waste. The state sanitary code requires that the concentration of Enterococci not exceed 104 colonies per 100 milliliters (ML) of sample. Advisories are issued when the concentration is greater than 104 Enterococci/100 ML. Additional samples will be taken until the count is below 104.
The affected beaches are open today but can be closed if two consecutive samples test above the accepted Enterococci level and will remain closed until the levels of bacteria return to standard levels.
Swimming in or contact with polluted water can cause a variety of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and flu-like symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, fever, and chills, the NJDEP said.
Bacteria levels are usually highest near storm water pipes, the Monmouth County Health Department says on the notice. Beachgoers can reduce the risk of illness by not swimming or wading in water near storm water pipes and avoiding contact with water flowing from storm water pipes and onto the beach.
For more information, go online to www.njbeaches.org/closing_advisories/
UPDATED to include the picture of the notice posted at the Spray Avenue Beach in Ocean Grove.
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