Beach closure & advisory update

At ocean beaches monitored by the Ocean County Health Department, it's "come on in, the water's fine." But bacteria levels keep closures in place at two lake beaches in the county. Swim advisories continue at seven Ocean County river- and bay-front beaches.

Closures remain at the Ocean County Park lake in Lakewood, and at the high and low beaches of Harry Wright Lake in Manchester.

Swim advisories are in effect today at Waretown Lake, Ocean Township; Lake Horicon Beach, Lakehurst; Bamber Lake, Forest Row Avenue, and Lake Barnegat Middle Beach, Lacey Township; A. Paul King Park Beach, Stafford Township; Dudley Park Beach, Berkeley Township.

Results are still pending of new tests at 10 other Ocean County beaches where swim advisories were posted Tuesday, August 2: Summit Avenue, Island Heights; Windward Beach, Brick Township; Hancock Avenue, Seaside Heights; Shelter Cove, Toms River; Wildwood Avenue and Anglesea Avenue, Ocean Gate; Beachwood Beach, Beachwood; Avon Road and Station Road, Pine Beach; Brooklyn Avenue, Lavallette.

In Monmouth, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, swim advisories have been lifted at the Deal Casino and Philips Avenue beaches, Deal; Laird and North Bath beaches, Long Branch; East Main and Inlet Surfing beaches, Manasquan; Pavilion Beach, Monmouth Beach; Rumson Road and Public beaches, Sea Bright.

Samples are tested for enterococcus in salt water, where the limit is 104 colonies per 100 milliliters; and fecal coliform in fresh water, where the maximum allowable concentration is 200 colonies per 100 milliliters.

Ocean County Health Department staffers test salt water sites each Monday, and fresh water sites on Tuesdays.

Water exceeding acceptable levels are tested a second time before advisory notices are issued, then sampled again the following day. Two or more days of excessive bacteria readings result in closures.

Factors typically include rain-related runoff, sewage spillovers, tidal turbulence, and wildlife droppings.

The Health Department web page is not updated on weekends, but 24/7 hotlines carry current information: 732-341-9700 ext. 7776 in northern Ocean County, 800-342-9738 in the southern half of the county.