OCEAN COUNTY – Ocean County officials announced that the Health Department’s water sampling program has officially begun.
“Each year the Ocean County Health Department has a full team of water samplers who visit 72 recreational swimming beaches on the ocean, bay and rivers and lakes throughout the county to take samples of water for testing to the lab located at the Ocean County Utilities Authority facility in Bayville,” according to Freeholder Director Gerry Little.
Individual testing results are compiled and then sent to the State lab for review and publication. You can find results at ochd.org.
“The residents of Ocean County and all our visitors should be aware that we are vigorous in ensuring that our swimming beaches are clean and safe,” stated Freeholder Director Little. “Reports of beach closures elsewhere in the State naturally raise concern but Ocean County has for many years tested our swimming areas throughout the County continuously from before Memorial Day weekend to after Labor Day weekend so our residents and visitors can feel safe going into the water.”
Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye also noted that excessive rainfall can impact water quality due to runoff into local lakes and rivers. If testing results ever show less than acceptable results, that swimming area would be temporarily closed and tested daily until results demonstrate safer water quality, according to Regenye.
“Last year over 450 inspections were conducted throughout Ocean County to insure safe swimming can be enjoyed by all residents and visitors,” added Regenye.
