Beachgoers return to Jersey Shore after bacteria scare
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (WPVI) -- What better way to spend a summer day than at the beach: fun, sun, water and the waves.
"The water is cooling and so we have been spending a lot of our time in the water," said Samantha Miller of Pottstown.
The summer fun in the sun caused a bit of concern for some folks after water advisories at the Jersey Shore. The Department of Environmental Protection says recent test results reveled bacteria levels were high enough to close a bay area - in Barnegat Light Borough in Ocean County - and caused advisories in places like Seaside Heights.
"We had a lot of dolphins in here, a lot of bait fish and with that came large flocks of seagulls, so it could have been something from the seagulls," said Chief of Lifeguards Seaside Heights Jay Boyd.
"If I would have heard about it, I probably would have stayed out of the water instead of literally spending my entire day in it yesterday," said Miller. "That kind of makes me alike skibbie."
Several other areas along the shore, including Wildwood City and Long Beach Township, also only had advisories. The EPA says that means there are potentially unhealthy conditions in the water, but not to a point where they have to be closed. The news was enough to keep some people out of the water.
"Just for the health of the children, mostly. The children are in the water. The older people are in the water. It's worrisome," said Midge Wood of Quakertown.
The EPA has given the all clear and says there is no reason to be alarmed. Crews constantly monitor the situation to make sure conditions don't exceed water quality standards. They say a beach is only closed if the bacteria present, exceeds the safety limit for two days in a row - thankfully, that has not been the case at any of the beaches.
"Came down to the boardwalk early this morning and saw people in the water, talk to the lady at the beach pass place, she said everything is fine. The water is great and it has been great," said Lisa Pye of Seaside Heights.
