Trenton, New Jersey — Health officials are continuing to monitor water quality at several public beaches across New Jersey after elevated levels of fecal bacteria triggered swimming advisories at multiple locations.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), five beaches remained under advisory status as of June 17 after testing revealed concentrations of enterococci bacteria above state health standards.
The advisories come as thousands of residents and visitors head to beaches, rivers, and bays across the state during the summer recreation season.
Five Beaches Under Swimming Advisories
The affected locations include two beaches in Ocean County and three monitoring sites in Cape May County.
Officials identified Beachwood Beach West and Cedar Point Beach along the Toms River as among the locations where water quality concerns were detected.
In Cape May County, three freshwater monitoring systems in Lower Township along the Delaware Bay also exceeded acceptable safety thresholds.
State environmental officials routinely collect and analyze water samples at public bathing areas to ensure conditions remain safe for swimmers.
Current New Jersey standards require enterococci concentrations to remain below 104 bacterial colonies per 100 milliliters of water.
When samples exceed that threshold, local health authorities issue swimming advisories and conduct additional testing.
One Beach Sample Recorded More Than Triple the Safety Limit
Among the most concerning results was a sample collected from Beachwood Beach West.
According to state officials, testing conducted on June 16 found 370 colonies of bacteria per 100 milliliters, significantly exceeding the state’s recommended safety level.
The elevated reading prompted authorities to maintain a swimming advisory while additional testing is performed.
Officials emphasized that an advisory does not automatically mean a beach is closed. Instead, it serves as a warning that water quality may pose health risks.
Beaches are generally closed to swimming only after two consecutive samples exceed state standards.
Only One New Jersey Beach Currently Closed
While several beaches remain under advisory status, only one location has been officially closed to swimming. According to the DEP’s Beach Monitoring Program, Beesley’s Point Beach in Upper Township remained closed as of June 17.
Officials will continue collecting water samples from affected sites and will lift advisories or closures once bacteria levels return to acceptable ranges.
Earlier this week, several Jersey Shore beaches also experienced elevated bacteria readings. However, follow-up testing found that contamination levels had returned to normal, allowing those advisories to be lifted.
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What Causes Enterococci Bacteria in Beach Water?
Environmental experts say enterococci bacteria can enter waterways from a variety of sources.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), common contributors include wastewater treatment plant discharges, leaking septic systems, stormwater runoff, sewage from recreational boats, and waste from domestic animals or wildlife.
Although enterococci itself is not typically considered harmful, its presence often serves as an indicator that other potentially dangerous pathogens may also be present.
Those pathogens can include viruses, bacteria, and protozoa capable of causing illness.
Potential Health Risks for Swimmers
Health officials caution that exposure to contaminated water may increase the risk of infections affecting the skin, eyes, ears, and respiratory system.
People who accidentally swallow contaminated water may also face a greater risk of gastrointestinal illness.
Additionally, the EPA notes that consuming seafood harvested from fecal-contaminated waters may pose health concerns in certain situations.
As summer beach season continues, officials encourage visitors to check local water quality updates before swimming and follow any advisories issued by health authorities.
Regular monitoring will continue throughout the season to help ensure public beaches remain safe for recreational use.
Have you ever checked water quality advisories before heading to the beach? Do you think more real-time alerts should be available for swimmers? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
