Three Cape May County beaches were under advisories on Tuesday, July 22, for high levels of fecal bacteria.
The beaches at Beesley’s Point, Upper Township, and Ocean Avenue and Brooklyn Avenue in Cape May City were issued advisories for an elevated level of the Enterococci bacteria.
The three beaches were cleared the following day.
According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, fecal bacteria levels tend to be elevated after rainstorms, due to stormwater runoff.
The county beaches were among 11 along the coast for which advisories were issued on Tuesday. The others were two in Spring Lake Borough, Ocean County; one in Atlantic Highlands Borough, Monmouth County; one in Belmar Borough, Monmouth County; one in Seaside Heights Borough, Ocean County; two in Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean County, and one in Somers Point, Atlantic County.
Enterococci is a type of bacteria that is an indicator of possible contamination of bathing water by sources including human or animal waste. When a water sample has more than 104 colony-forming units of enterococci, the beach is placed under a swimming advisory, and the water is tested again the next day. If the second samples remain higher than 104, the beaches will be closed to swimming until the sample falls under the limit.
Water quality advisories typically recommend avoiding direct water contact and maintaining caution during recreational activities.
The DEP says swimming in or making contact with polluted water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain; respiratory symptoms like sore throat, cough, runny nose and sneezing; eye and ear symptoms including irritation, earache, and itchiness; dermatological symptoms like skin rash and itching, and flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
