High Bacteria Levels Detected at Cape May County Beaches: Public Safety Measures Taken

High Bacteria Levels Detected at Cape May County Beaches

WILDWOOD CREST – Recent water quality tests conducted at various Cape May County beaches have raised concerns as high levels of enterococcus bacteria were detected on Monday, June 9. However, health officials reported that these levels were quickly reduced to below actionable thresholds by the following afternoon, ensuring public safety for beachgoers.

Enterococcus bacteria are commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals, often present in fecal matter. To maintain safe conditions for swimmers, the county's Health Department regularly monitors water quality at recreational bathing beaches.

On June 9, the director of environmental health, Jennifer Fairman, notified Wildwood Crest borough officials in an email sent at 12:37 p.m. on June 10 about the exceedances in ocean water quality. The Health Department’s testing revealed five beaches in Wildwood Crest – Lavender, Orchid, Miami, Hollywood, and Jefferson – exhibited elevated enterococcus levels, rendering them unsuitable for recreational use.

Despite the warnings, the beaches remained open to the public, with advisories posted at the entrances to inform visitors of the situation. A re-assessment of the water quality was scheduled shortly thereafter. By Wednesday, water tests showed significant improvement, with enterococcus levels dropping to satisfactory limits. Fairman informed local officials that inspectors would proceed to remove advisory signs the same day.

Mayor Don Cabrera noted that the initial high readings were taken following a rainstorm that contributed to the influx of rainwater into the ocean from outfall pipes situated on the island. “I’m not surprised at the results,” Cabrera remarked, indicating that such fluctuations in water quality typically occur several times each year, affecting not just the Crest but surrounding areas.

In fact, similar contamination was reported at other locations, including 104th Street in Stone Harbor and River Avenue in Point Pleasant, where colonies surpassed acceptable limits; Point Pleasant measured at 260 colony units while Wildwood Crest had 120 colony units. The threshold for safe recreational use is below 104 colony units per sample.

To mitigate these occurrences, Cabrera explained that the borough employs street sweepers and educates the community about proper stormwater management practices. However, he suggested that testing processes should potentially be repositioned away from the immediate vicinity of outfall lines, where bacteria are likely to concentrate due to runoff before adequately dispersing in the ocean.

As part of an effort to manage waste disposal along the beaches, Wildwood Crest was the first locality to install portable restrooms to encourage responsible sanitation practices among beachgoers. Cabrera emphasized the rationale behind this decision, quipping, “Would you rather they go in the water?” This secular approach to sanitation can help reduce additional sources of pollution.

Other contributors to bacterial contamination in the area include pet waste, animal droppings, and issues related to aging sewer infrastructure, further illustrating the multifaceted challenges that local authorities face in maintaining safe recreational waters.

As local communities continue proactive measures to ensure public health safety, residents and visitors are reminded to stay vigilant and informed about water quality during their beach outings.