13-06-2025
7 New Jersey Vacation Spots Are Issued High Alert for Bacteria Levels
Elevated bacteria levels were found at several New Jersey beaches, including Point Pleasant and multiple Wildwood Crest sites
Water samples showed enterococci counts above the state's safe threshold, which may lead to infections from exposure
While beaches remain open, advisories are in effect, and daily testing will continue until levels return to normalNew Jerseyans will need to double-check their beach days, as a few select locations have received bacteria level advisories.
Water samples collected in Point Pleasant, N.J., on Monday, June 9, showed a high concentration of enterococci, a bacterium normally found in the digestive tracts and intestines of humans and animals, as reported by the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection, per local news outlet App.
Bacteria counts were at 260 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters, which is twice as high as New Jersey's safe swimming threshold: 104 colony-forming units. Towards Cape May County, bacteria counts we also found to be higher than usual, reaching 120 colony-forming units.
When the bacteria are in large quantities in water, it signals that other potentially harmful bacteria are in the water supply, including viruses. Coming in contact with this bacterium in large quantities can result in ear, nose, and throat infections.
Advisories have been issued for several beaches in Wildwood Crest: Lavender Road, Orchid Road, Miami Avenue, Hollywood Beach, and Jefferson Avenue Beach, as well as the 104th Street Bay in Stone Harbor.
According to the New Jersey Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program, advisories do not typically result in beach closures.
However, when a sample surpasses the New Jersey State Sanitary Code's allowance, 'a swimming advisory is issued and additional sampling is conducted and continues each day until the sample result is below 104 enterococci/100 milliliters," per the Department of Environmental Protection.
Aside from bacteria monitoring, health officials or enforcement agencies may close the beaches at their discretion to protect public health and safety.
Read the original article on People
