BATHING SEASON IS BACK AND SO ARE THE OCHD WATER INSPECTORS! COASTAL COOPERATIVE MONITORING PROGRAM READY FOR NEW SEASON

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(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:

  • The OCHD Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program is funded through a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection grant that started back in 1974.
  • The CCMP remains one of the nation’s longest running and most comprehensive beach testing programs with zero cost to the health department.
  • Each week the OCHD tests water samples from the county’s salt and freshwater swimming beaches.
  • The water is tested for two types of bacteria – enterococcus and E.coli. If the results come back with higher than acceptable levels, the water is immediately retested and the town notified.
  • After the second high reading, the beach is closed and tested daily until bacteria levels return to normal.

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:

  • The OCHD Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program is funded through a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection grant that started back in 1974.
  • The CCMP remains one of the nation’s longest running and most comprehensive beach testing programs with zero cost to the health department.
  • Each week the OCHD tests water samples from the county’s salt and freshwater swimming beaches.
  • The water is tested for two types of bacteria – enterococcus and E.coli. If the results come back with higher than acceptable levels, the water is immediately retested and the town notified.
  • After the second high reading, the beach is closed and tested daily until bacteria levels return to normal.

 

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:

 

  • Continue to observe any COVID-19 safety precautions; for specific beach openings, safety protocols and capacity limitations please check with local or municipal authorities.
  • Do not dispose of masks, trash, pet waste, or dirty diapers on the beach.
  • Observe swimming advisories;do not enter the water at a beach under a swimming advisory.
  • Avoid swallowing water when swimming;natural waters may contain disease-causing organisms that can cause gastrointestinal illness if swallowed.
  • Avoid swimming for a few days after heavy rainfall;bacteria levels are likely to be high and disease-causing organisms are more likely to be present after rainfall due to pollution from land runoff and other sources.
  • Prevent direct contact of cuts and open wounds;natural waters may contain disease-causing organisms that may cause skin infections.
  • Do not swim if you are ill or have a weakened immune system;some organisms are opportunistic and may only cause illness when you are already ill or your immune system is weakened.
  • Shower with soap after swimming;showering helps remove potential disease-causing organisms.
  • Swim away from fishing piers, pipes, drains, and water flowing from storm drains onto a beach.
  • As for the COVID-19 virus being transmitted through water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there is still no evidence showing anyone has gotten sick through drinking water, recreational water or wastewater.

     

    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.