Beachwood beach closed following two days of high fecal bacteria levels

BEACHWOOD — Health officials closed Beachwood's Beach West to swimming and bathing on Wednesday, July 17, due to high levels of fecal bacteria, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Water samples collected Monday and Tuesday showed high levels of Enterococci bacteria, a microbe common in the feces of humans and animals. The bacteria is used as an indicator species to signify the likelihood of other disease-causing pathogens.

Swimming in contaminated water can lead to illness, including gastrointestinal distress as well as infections of the ears, nose and throat, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Beachwood Beach West was resampled on Wednesday, though results will not be available until Thursday.

Health officials also issued a water quality advisory at the beach at A. Paul King County Park in Stafford, where high levels of E. Coli were discovered in Tuesday's water samples. The beach remained opened to swimming on Wednesday, but was resampled. Results will not be available until Thursday. If Wednesday's samples also show high bacteria levels, the beach will be closed to swimming.

Advisories were lifted Wednesday at the Highlands Recreation Center beach, Highlands' Miller Beach and at the Seaside Heights' Hancock Avenue bayside beach. Bacteria levels at those locations had dropped to levels considered safe for swimming, following an advisory earlier in the week.

Fecal bacteria contamination is frequently the result of sewerage leaks, malfunctioning septic systems, or pet and wildlife waste, according to the EPA.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 15 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.