Six Jersey Shore beaches under water advisories for high bacteria levels

UPDATE : NJ bacteria advisories lifted at 6 Jersey Shore beaches

Be wary of the water! That is the message at six Jersey Shore beaches where high levels of fecal bacteria were discovered this week.

High bacteria levels are often the result of leaky sewer and septic systems or pet and wildlife waste washing into lakes and rivers.

Exposure to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal distress as well as ear, nose and throat infections. Young children, elderly adults and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from illness after contact with bacteria-rich water.

Water advisories are issued when levels of Enterococci, a bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals, surpasses 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters.

The bacteria advisories were issued at:

• Deal's Roosevelt Avenue Beach, where Enterococci measured 155 colony forming units on Monday.
• Long Branch's Elberon Beach Club, where samples were 150 colony forming units on Monday.
• Lavallette's Brooklyn Avenue bayside beach, which had 120 units.
• Seaside Height's Hancock Avenue bayside beach, where bacteria levels were 200 units as of Monday.
• Pine Beach's East Beach at Station Avenue, where Enterococci was measured at 180 units.
• Barnegat Light's 25th Street bayfront beach, which measured at 240 units.

Each beach was resampled on Tuesday, although the results were not immediately available on Wednesday morning. If the resampling shows two consecutive days of high bacteria levels, New Jersey law requires the beaches to be closed to swimming.

Check app.com later for more on this developing story.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 16 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Six Jersey Shore beaches under water advisories for high bacteria levels