NJ beaches in Sandy Hook, Cape May test high for bacteria

Heavy rain is again to blame for high levels of bacteria at two Jersey Shore ocean beaches.

The DEP issued an advisory when the two beaches tested above the minimum of 104 colony forming units of enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample. C Beach at Sandy Hook and Webster Beach in Upper Township both tested at 120 cfu.

Results from tests taken Tuesday will be released on Wednesday. Another high test and the beach will be closed for swimming.

The reason for the high test is likely recent heavy rain, which pushes waste from geese, seagulls, and other animals toward the beach.

Swimming water that exceeds the acceptable level of bacteria could cause gastrointestinal and respiratory problems for swimmers.

Contact with the water can result in any one or more of the following symptoms:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Sore throat
Cough
Runny nose/sneezing
Skin rash and itching
Ear and eye irritation
Fever and chills

Most of the time, these symptoms are minor but they can occasionally be more serious, especially in children and the elderly.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

Census 2020: The 20 biggest places in New Jersey

A countdown of the 20 most populous municipalities in New Jersey, as measured by the 2020 Census.

Most Expensive House For Sale in Atlantic County

Located on Bayshore in Margate, the 8,200+ square foot home is listed at $7.9 million. The home has seven bedrooms, eight baths, and 324 feet of total bay frontage. Outside, it has 2,500 square feet of deck space, a pool, and four boat slips. Property taxes for the home were $49,920 last year.