2 Beaches In Berkeley Area Under Swimming Advisory

PINE BEACH, NJ – The state Department of Environmental Protection has placed 13 beaches under a swimming advisory after a water sample test showed the presence of high fecal bacteria.

A total of four beaches in Monmouth County and nine beaches in Ocean County have been placed under the advisory, including Beachwood Beach West and East Beach Station Avenue in Pine Beach.

Read more: 13 Beaches In NJ Under Swimming Advisory After Bacteria Test

Each week, the NJDEP conducts water quality monitoring at 180 ocean and 35 bay monitoring stations along the New Jersey coast. The samples are analyzed for the presence of Enterococci – a bacteria found in animal and human waste. High levels of this bacteria are an indicator of poor bathing water quality.

The samples taken this week showed high levels of Enterococci. The New Jersey State Sanitary Code requires the bacteria concentration to not exceed 104 colonies per 100 milliliters of sample.

In water samples collected Monday at Beachwood Beach West, the state Department of Environmental Protection found 590 colonies per 100 milliliters — more than five times the state limit. The follow-up samples taken Tuesday showed 200 colonies per 100 milliliters, the DEP said.

At East Beach Station Avenue in Pine Beach, the state Department of Environmental Protection found 250 colonies per 100 milliliters. The follow-up samples taken Tuesday showed 160 colonies per 100 milliliters, according to the DEP.

The swimming advisory will remain in effect until the water quality results are again within standards, the DEP said.

Enterococci are typically not considered harmful to humans, but their presence in the environment may indicate that other disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa may also be present, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

A higher presence of Enterococci becomes more likely after heavy rainfall, which can flush bacteria from bird, dog, or other animal waste into rivers and streams.

With reporting by Sarah Salvadore, Patch staff.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.