Elevated bacteria levels close beaches on Long Beach Island

LONG BEACH TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Elevated bacteria levels have caused the closure of beaches on Long Beach Island in Long Beach Township, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday.

The beaches affected are New Jersey Station OC0077 and Stockton Station OC0073.

The New Jersey State Sanitary Code requires that the concentration of bacteria not exceed 104 colonies of Enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample. A sample exceeded this water quality standard.

Enterococci is a type of bacteria that is an indicator of possible contamination within bathing waters.

Last month, 15 beaches in New Jersey were closed because of elevated bacteria levels.

3 New Jersey beaches closed, 31 water quality advisories. Nora Muchanic reports during Action News at 5 p.m. on July 26, 2017.

The state Environmental Protection Department found high levels of bacteria and seven beaches in Atlantic City alone were closed. All of the beaches had been reopened by the next day.

Environmental officials at the time said heavy rains that result in runoff water containing chemicals and bird droppings was responsible for the spike in bacteria.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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