Beach update: 9 ocean swim advisories, Monmouth to Wildwood

No beaches are closed, but bacteria levels in excess of state standards trigger swim advisories at nine ocean beaches, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Seven are on Long Beach Island.

DEP lists the Taylor and Leeward Street beaches in Beach Haven, Stockton Avenue and Joan beaches in Long Beach, 14 Street and South 3 Street in Ship Bottom, and North 10 Street in Surf City.

In Monmouth, the Spray Avenue beach in Neptune Township carries an advisory, and in Cape May County there is one for the Bennett beach in Wildwood City.

There are no advisories or closures noted for Atlantic County.

Currents can affect the flow of impurities and lead to elevated bacteria counts. Waters are tested for enterococcus and fecal coliform bacteria, generated by animal or human waste.

Water in which samples yield enterococcus levels higher than 104 colonies per 100 milliliters, or fecal coliform levels beyond 200 colonies per 100 milliliters, are tested again. Comparable resample results produce swim advisories.

The Ocean County Health Department tests ocean, bay, lake, river and creek waters where swimming is allowed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

High bacteria counts attributed to geese prompted the closure of Ocean County Park's lake beach in Lakewood for the rest of the season. Harry Wright Lake high beach in Manchester is also closed.