These Jersey Shore beaches under advisory for fecal bacteria levels

Four New Jersey beaches are under water quality advisories on Tuesday, July 16, for having high levels of bacteria that is frequently found in the intestines of humans and animals, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Swimming in contaminated water can lead to illness, including gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as infections of the ears, nose and throat, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . People with weakened immune systems, young children and elderly adults are especially at risk from becoming sick after contact with contaminated water, according to the agency.

The most common sources of fecal bacteria pollution in water is due to untreated sewage from malfunctioning sewer and septic systems or wildlife and pet waste, according to the EPA.

New Jersey officials issue water quality alerts when levels of Enterococci bacteria exceed 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, water alerts were issued Tuesday at:

• Highlands Recreation Center beach, where more than 300 colony forming units were present in samples collected on Monday.
• Highlands' Miller Beach, where bacteria levels also exceeded 300 colony forming units.
• Seaside Heights' Hancock Avenue bayside beach, where bacteria levels were measured at 280 colonies on Monday.
• Beachwood Beach West, were bacterial levels were at 200 on Monday.

Each beach was resampled on Tuesday, but results will not be available until Wednesday. The beaches remained open on Tuesday.

If Tuesday's samples also show high bacteria levels that exceed the state's safe swimming threshold, the beaches will be closed to swimming on Wednesday and then resampled.

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.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: These Jersey Shore beaches under advisory for fecal bacteria levels