Upper beach at Manchester's Harry Wright Lake closed to swimming

MANCHESTER — A portion of beach at Harry Wright Lake in Whiting was closed to swimming on Thursday after high levels of fecal bacteria were discovered in the water over two consecutive days.

The upper beach was closed to swimming Thursday, while the lower beach remains open, according to the Ocean County Health Department, which oversees water testing at local beaches.

Samples collected at Harry Wright Lake's upper beach exceeded New Jersey's safe swimming standards of no more than 320 colony forming units of E. coli bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. Tuesday's samples showed 370 colony forming units of E. coli while Wednesday's samples were at 380, according to the health department.

E. Coli, which is common in the feces and intestines of humans and animals, is used by health officials to indicate that other illness-causing pathogens are likely present in water. Swimming in contaminated water can lead to vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, and 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 particularly at risk from exposure.

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

Fecal bacteria can enter lakes and rivers through leaky sewers, faulty septic systems, livestock manure or wildlife excrement, according to the EPA.

Health officials retested the lake Thursday, but results will not be available until Friday.

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: Upper beach at Manchester's Harry Wright Lake closed to swimming