Fecal Bacteria Shuts Down Beachwood Beach Swimming Again This Summer

I was literally talking to a co-worker of mine no more than five days ago about the fecal bacteria that keeps popping up at the Jersey Shore closing beaches, and we both had the same question: Will beaches around Jersey close again this year because of fecal bacteria?

And now we know the answer: yes.

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Why Do Beaches Close Due To Fecal Contamination In NJ?

Yes, it's gross to think that there is fecal bacteria in our swimming areas, but it's something that we deal with almost every year at the shore. The main culprit is the enterococci bacteria, which are found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals.

If you are accidentally exposed to this bacterium, it can result in health problems, which is why whenever higher than safe levels of the bacteria are found in our swimming areas, they get shut down.

Beachwood Beach West Is Under A Swimming Advisory

Photo Credit: Google Maps

According to Patch, Beachwood Beach West has tested positive for having higher-than-safe levels of enterococci bacteria.

This means that until those levels come down, there's a swimming advisory at the beach. You could still go sit on the beach and enjoy the views, but it's not recommended to go in the water until the bacteria levels drop.

How Does Fecal Bacteria Spread In The Water In NJ?

I'm always curious, because I live in Ocean Gate, literally a mile down the road from Beachwood, how the bacteria does not make its way to our beach?

It's all the same water, so what prevents this bacteria from spreading to our neck of the woods? Granted, I'm not complaining that our beach doesn't close, but I've always been curious.