We usually don’t like to talk about poo, but today, we don’t have a choice.
Two popular river beaches have been temporarily closed due to elevated levels of bacteria linked to fecal contamination.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), seven beaches statewide are under water quality advisories, but two have been officially shut down.
Which Beaches Are Closed?
The following beaches are currently off-limits:
- Parvin State Park Beach in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County
- Wildwood Beach in Ocean Gate, Ocean County (Note: This is not the main Wildwood beach in Cape May County)
These closures both come after routine water quality tests showed high bacterial levels in the water.
What’s Causing The Contamination?
The recent heavy rains are likely to blame. Water runoff from the storms can carry fecal matter from overflowing sewers, animal waste, and other pollutants into lakes, rivers, and yes, even ocean waters…