6 NJ Beaches Close Swimming Areas To Due High Levels Of Fecal Bacteria

Summer at the shore for a lot of people means long days spent on the beach, swimming in the bay, or in the ocean.

Sadly, this year, we're seeing an increase in closures at some of our favorite water holes; we're now up to 6 swimming areas being closed.

What's Causing New Jersey Swimming Areas To Be Closed?

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The closures are due to increased levels of bacteria being found in the water.

Specifically, higher than acceptable levels of Enterococci.

What Are Enterococci And Why Are They Dangerous?

This bacteria is generally found in human waste, and when that starts showing up in our swimming areas, officials really have no choice but to shut down those swimming areas to the public until the bacteria levels even out.

There is an acceptable level of Enterococci that can be found in water, and it's less than 104 colony units for every 100 milliliters of water.

Something to keep in mind here is that just because the swimming areas of these beaches are closed, the beaches themselves are open.

Full List Of NJ Swimming Areas That Are Closed Due To Fecal Contamination

According to APP, the following 6 swimming areas are now closed due to higher than acceptable levels of fecal bacteria:

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1. Keyport Beach
2. Snug Harbor, in Highlands
3. Plum Island at Sandy Hook
4. Hancock Avenue at the bay in Seaside Heights
5. 5th Avenue Bayfront Park in Seaside Park
6. 42nd Place Lagoon in Sea Isle City

Is It Safe To Swim In Contaminated Waters?

If you decide you want to throw caution to the wind and swim in contaminated waters anyway, you may be in for a rude awakening.

You could start to suffer from gastrointestinal illness, skin and ear infections, as well as other diseases, especially if you are very young or immunocompromised.

Besides, why would you want to swim in fecally-filled water anyway?