Water advisory lifted at Loch Arbour, Island Beach State Park beaches

UPDATE: Health officials lifted water quality advisories at two Jersey Shore beaches on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, after the beaches tested high for levels of a bacteria normally found in the intestines of humans and animals Tuesday.

Village Beach Club in Loch Arbour and bathing beach 1 at Island Beach State Park had bacteria levels that exceeded the state's safe swimming standards on Tuesday, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Both beaches remained open for swimming on Tuesday, but were retested. Wednesday's results showed bacteria levels dropped to levels considered safe for swimming.

Water samples at both locations initially contained high levels of Enterococci bacteria, a microbe that is used to indicate that other harmful organisms, viruses and parasites found in feces could be present in water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk from swimming in contaminated water, according to the EPA. In high amounts, feces in water can lead to gastrointestinal distress, vomiting and nausea as well as ear, nose and throat infections.

Pet and wildlife droppings as well as leaky septic and sewer systems are common sources of Enterococcus contamination in water. Heavy rainstorms can wash bacteria and feces into creeks and rivers and exacerbate pollution, according to the EPA.

Local fishing: Pompano strikes at Island Beach State Park, pufferfish in the bay

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: Bacteria alert lifted at two NJ beaches