Manchester's Harry Wright Lake tests high for E. coli bacteria

MANCHESTER — Health officials discovered high levels of E. coli bacteria this week at Harry Wright Lake, but as of Wednesday, the lake remains open for swimming, according to the Ocean County Health Department.

Water samples collected Tuesday in one of two areas tested by health officials showed levels of Escherichia coli, a bacteria common in the feces and intestines of human and animals, that exceeded New Jersey's safe swimming standards.

Levels at one sampling site showed levels of the bacteria at 370 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water. New Jersey considers E. coli levels over 320 colony forming units to be potentially unsafe for swimming.

E. coli is used as a indicator species by health authorities to signal whether other disease-causing pathogens are likely present in water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .

The bacteria can enter lakes and rivers through leaky sewer pipes, failing septic systems, livestock manure or wildlife excrement, according to the EPA.

Swimming in E. coli contaminated water can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and other illnesses, according to the agency.

Related: Beachwood beach bans swimming for the rest of the summer over fecal bacteria fears

At Harry Wright Lake, a second location sampled Tuesday did not exceed the safe swimming standards.

The lake remains open for swimming. The beach was retested Wednesday, but results will not be available until Thursday. If Wednesday's samples also show levels of E. coli that exceed the health standard, officials will close the beach to swimming.

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: Manchester's Harry Wright Lake tests high for E. coli bacteria