At Least 12 NJ Beaches Closed Because Of Fecal Bacteria, DEP Says

At least 12 beaches were closed Thursday because of "unsafe" levels of bacteria found in animal and human waste, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

On top of that, swimming at all Seaside Heights ocean beaches was banned because of poor water quality. Read more: All Seaside Heights Ocean Beaches Closed To Swimming. Here's Why.

Initially, five across the state were closed after the heavy rain and thunderstorms over the weekend. On Wednesday, after tests were taken, another seven were closed.

The problems were initially discovered Monday and Tuesday, with nearly 20 beaches exceeding the bacteria concentration limit of 104 colony-forming units (cfu) of Enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, according to the DEP.

Advisories were issued at 17 beaches which were open to the public on Wednesday, while another five were closed.

Here are the beaches that closed on Thursday:

Atlantic

• Brigantine: 26th St

Ocean

• Pine Beach: East Beach Station Ave
• Pine Beach: West Beach Avon Rd
• Seaside Heights: Lincoln Ave
• Seaside Heights: Sheridan

Monmouth

• Belmar: L Street Beach
• Loch Arbour: Village Beach Club
• Sea Girt: The Terrace
• Sea Girt: Beacon Blvd
• Spring Lake: York Ave
• Spring Lake: Brown Ave S
• Spring Lake: Essex Ave

Some of the harmful effects of Enterococci, a bacteria found in animal and human waste, include infections that cause fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The same problem happened two months ago, whe 47 New Jersey beaches were found to have "unsafe levels," according to Larry Hajna, a DEP spokesman. Those beaches also tested above allowable levels for bacteria found in human and animal feces.

Read more: 47 NJ Beaches At Risk Of Closing Due To Fecal Bacteria, DEP Says

Back then, Hajna said the problem is caused largely by the rain that caused a lot of stormwater runoff carrying animal waste into the swimming areas. "Birds congregate a lot," he said. "When they defecate, it carries into the water."

Here were the beaches initially under advisory that tested high for bacteria:

Atlantic

• Brigantine: 26th St
• Somers Point: New Jersey Ave

Cape May

• Upper Township: Beesley's Point Beach

Monmouth

• Belmar: L Street Beach
• Bradley Beach: Ocean Park
• Loch Arbour: Village Beach Club
• Sea Girt: Baltimore
• Spring Lake: Essex Ave

Ocean

• Long Beach Township: New Jersey
• Ocean Gate: Anglesea
• Ocean Gate: Wildwood
• Pine Beach: West Beach Avon Rd
• Pine Beach: East Beach Station Ave
• Point Pleasant Beach: Central
• Point Pleasant Beach: Maryland
• Seaside Heights: Sheridan
• Seaside Heights: Lincoln Ave
• Seaside Heights: Hancock

Photo Credit: Alexander Nguyen of Patch and Shutterstock photo