High Bacteria Levels Causes Closure of Two Long Branch Beaches

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Two Long Branch beaches were closed on Wednesday by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as high fecal bacteria were found in the water.

North and South Bath Avenue Beaches were two of the 13 beaches closed state-wide by the NJDEP after weekly samples showed higher than normal traces of Enterococci, a bacteria found in animal and human waste.

Enterococci can be found in stormwater runoff, sewage discharged or dumped from recreational boats, and domestic animal and wildlife waste. Swimming in water with high enterococci levels can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose, earaches, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms.

The other beaches in New Jersey that were closed were:

• 1st Avenue in Asbury Park City, Monmouth County
• Village Beach Club in Loch Arbour Village, Monmouth County
• 25th St Bay Front in Barnegat Light Borough, Ocean County
• Beachwood Beach West in Beachwood Borough, Ocean County
• Reese Ave Beach in Lavallette Borough, Ocean County
• New Jersey Ave in Long Beach Township, Ocean County
• East Beach Station Ave in Pine Beach Borough, Ocean County
• River Ave Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean County
• Maxon Ave Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean County
• Hancock Ave Beach, Seaside Heights Borough, Ocean County
• 5th Ave Bay Front, Seaside Park Borough, Ocean County

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

Reporting done by Sarah Salvadore.