Fecal Bacteria Warning at 6 South Jersey Beaches

Six Jersey Shore beaches in Atlantic and Cape May counties were placed under swimming advisories on Tuesday after New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection found that water samples taken at them showed high levels of fecal bacteria.

Four Atlantic County beaches and two Cape May County beaches were given swimming advisories on Tuesday.

The water samples taken on Monday showed they had more than 104 colony-forming units of enterococci. The beaches were placed under a swimming advisory, and the water will be tested again on Wednesday.

Here Are the Beaches Under a Swimming Advisory

In Atlantic County, the ocean beaches are Michigan Avenue, Atlantic City, Arkansas Avenue, Atlantic City, and Virginia Avenue in Atlantic City.

The bay beach on 26th Street in Brigantine was also given a swimming advisory.

In Cape May County, the ocean beach on Jefferson Avenue in Wildwood and the 57th Street bay beach in Avalon were placed under a swimming advisory.

What Does a Swimming Advisory Mean in New Jersey?

A swimming advisory does not mean the beach in question is closed. A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection swimming advisory means the initial water test found high levels of fecal bacteria -- Enterococci -- exceeded state standards.

Swimming is still allowed, but swimmers are warned of a higher risk of illness. I wouldn't let my kids swim in it, but that's the state regulation.

High bacteria numbers often come from heavy rain runoff carrying animal or bird waste. They can cause stomach or skin issues. Children and sick people face higher risks.

The DEP tested the water on Tuesday and will have the results of those tests by Wednesday afternoon. If two tests in a row fail, the beach will be closed.

In that case, "No Swimming' signs would be posted, and wading, playing, or swimming in the water would be banned until an additional test shows safe levels of bacteria.