Seaside Heights' bay beach reopened to swimming

SEASIDE HEIGHTS — The bay beach at Hancock Avenue was reopened for swimming Thursday, Aug. 10, after being closed earlier this week due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

Hancock Avenue beach along Barnegat Bay was closed on Wednesday after levels of enterococci, a bacteria common in feces, was found in levels that exceeded New Jersey's safe swimming standards. Water samples collected at the beach both Monday and Tuesday showed high levels of the bacteria, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The results of Wednesday's water samples showed that bacteria counts had dropped below what is considered safe for swimming, according to the state department.

Environmental officials check more than 200 beaches each week along the Jersey Shore for enterococci, which typically spikes after rain washes pet and wildlife waste as well as leaky sewer systems into streams and rivers. Bacteria levels typically drop within a day or two following the spikes.

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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: Hancock Avenue beach in Seaside Heights reopened to swimmers