(Toms River) – In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic kept many swimming beaches closed or with restrictions on capacity in Ocean County. But as we near Memorial Day most swimming beaches will be open and therefore the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) will be back testing all the county’s public recreational bathing beaches through its Coastal Cooperative Monitoring Program (CCMP).
“People can’t wait to get back to our beautiful bathing beaches we have here in Ocean County now that the warm weather is upon us” said Ocean County Commissioner Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “Whether you are a local or a visitor, the Ocean County Health Department will ensure the only water you’re swimming in will be safe for you and your family.”
Ocean County has sixty-seven bathing beach locations that are rigorously tested for quality between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 2020, the CCMP locations in Ocean County experienced a pass rate of over 95%. Nowadays, technology assists the efforts in our CCMP as people can see real-time water quality results at their favorite beach venue at www.njbeaches.org and www.ochd.org.
“The OCHD wants everyone to experience and enjoy the more than 40 miles of beautiful Ocean County beaches and other recreational waterways in a safe and healthy environment,” explained Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. The CCMP is such an important quality control mechanism that is vital to tourism, ecology, species habitat and our robust fishing industry.”
More important facts regarding the CCMP:
Nowadays, technology assists the efforts in our CCMP as people can see real-time water quality results at their favorite beach venue at www.njbeaches.org and www.ochd.org.
“The OCHD wants everyone to experience and enjoy the more than 40 miles of beautiful Ocean County beaches and other recreational waterways in a safe and healthy environment,” explained Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. The CCMP is such an important quality control mechanism that is vital to tourism, ecology, species habitat and our robust fishing industry.”
More important facts regarding the CCMP:
Regenye continued by advising beach closures are infrequent but can occur after a heavy rainfall. Water runoff washes animal waste, lawn care products and other bacteria into the water. Everyone can help make a difference to keep our waterways and beaches clean by picking up after our pets and not throwing trash or cigarette butts onto the streets. This waste eventually empties into lakes, rivers and the bay and contributes to beach closings.
Stay healthy and safe while spending a day at the beach by following these simple steps:
Daily water quality reports for every beach we monitor can be found at www.ochd.org. The OCHD also offers a hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for up to the minute reports which can be obtained by calling 732-341-9700 ext. 7776 or at 1-800-342-9738, ext. 7776.
Follow the Health Department on Twitter@OCpublichealth or like us on Facebook. Download the Ocean County Health Department mobile app free from the Google Play/Android and Apple APP stores.