Two Jersey Shore beaches under fecal bacteria advisories on Wednesday, July 3

High levels of fecal bacteria were discovered at two beaches in Ocean County this week, according to the Ocean County Health Department.

High levels of enterococcus and E. coli were found in water samples collected at beaches in Stafford and Beachwood. Health officials use the bacteria, which are common in the intestines and excrement of humans and animals, to indicate whether water contains other pathogens that are likely to cause illness.

Swimming in contaminated water can lead to intestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, as well as infections of the eyes, ears and throat. Swimming in contaminated water can be particularly risky for people with weakened immune systems, young children and elderly adults, according to health authorities.

Swim advisories are issued when levels of enterococcus exceed 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters and when E. coli counts surpass the threshold of 320 colonies per 100 milliliters of water.

Swim advisories

According to the Ocean County Health Department, July 2 water samples showed high bacteria counts at

• Beachwood's western beach, where testing showed 110 colonies of enterococcus. The beach is closed to swimming on Wednesday because high bacteria counts were recorded in both Monday's and Tuesday's water samples.
• Stafford's A. Paul King County Park beach, where E. coli was measured at 600 colony forming units. The beach is under a water advisory.

Malfunctioning septic systems, sewer leaks, and pet and wildlife feces are some of the common causes of high levels of fecal bacteria in water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Advisories lifted at four Shore beaches

At other beaches, where health officials had previously released advisories after July 1 samples showed high levels of fecal bacteria, subsequent testing showed bacteria counts had returned to safe swimming levels.

Not a beach day:Five Jersey Shore beaches under fecal bacteria advisories on Tuesday, July 2

Swim advisories were lifted at four beaches as of Wednesday, July 3:

• Atlantic City's Arkansas Avenue beach.
• Long Beach Township's Stockton Avenue bay front beach.
• Ship Bottom's 14th Street bay front beach.
• Stafford's Jennifer Lane bay beach.

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.