High Bacteria Levels Halt Swimming At 1 Manchester Lake Beach

MANCHESTER, NJ — Swimming is suspended at the eastern beach at Harry Wright Lake due to high fecal bacteria counts, officials say.

The Manchester Township Recreation Department posted the closure, the result of water testing by the Ocean County Health Department, which tests bay, lake and river beaches in Ocean County.

Tests on Tuesday showed a count of 370 colonies of Enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. The standard is 104 colonies per 100 milliliters of sampled water. On Wednesday, the repeat test, which involved three samples, showed 380 colonies, 250 colonies and 220 colonies at the Harry Wright Lake "high" beach.

Recreation officials said the high beach is where the pavilion is located and the sand is higher.

The low side of the lake is where the concession stand and playground are located, officials said.

Water samples that exceed 104 colonies prompt swimming advisories, and swimming bans when retesting shows continuing levels that exceed the standard.

Sources of Enterococci in water include stormwater runoff, and domestic animal and wildlife waste. Swimming in polluted water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose, earaches skin rashes and flu-like symptoms.