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Politics & Government

Beach Water Testing Program Under Way

Ocean County Health Department will monitor bacteria in bay, lakes, river, ocean

Ocean County is setting its water quality safety nets at 77 beaches on the ocean, bay, rivers and lakes again this summer, testing for two kinds of bacteria to make sure they pose no threat to swimmers.

Water samples were taken at some of the beaches as early as May 16 by the Ocean County Health Department and tested at the Ocean County Utilities Authority lab.

All of the test results showed bacteria levels far below the threat level, according information on the Health Department Web site, www.ochd.org.

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“We worked out the kinks in the system,’’ aid John Protonentis, principal registered environmental health specialist for the Health Department.

Weekly testing will be done throughout the summer bathing season. Saltwater beaches are tested on Monday, and fresh water sites on Tuesday. When too many fecal coliform or enterococcus are found, a second round of tests is done. A second high reading leads to an order to close the beach until the bacteria drops to a safe level.

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A recently added part of the testing protocol has samplers going to river beaches and to the bay off Hancock Avenue in Seaside Heights right after heavy rains to see of the stormwater has washed land-based pollutants into the water.

“It may increase the number of beach closures, but it protects the public health,’’ Protonentis said.

“It’s really a critical program for Ocean County,’’ said Freeholder Gerry P. Little.

The Health Department warms against swimming for at least 24 hours after a rain at bay, lake, river or creek beaches.

Test results are posted on the Web site and are available at the Health Department Hotline, 732-341-9700 ext, 7776 in the northern part of the county, and 800-342-9738 in the south.

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