Cape May County’s 2019 Coastal Water Monitoring Program will officially begin on May 28 and continue through Sept. 2 to protect beach-goers and the environment from high bacteria levels.
The Cape May County Department of Health conducts the monitoring program in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“The monitoring program reaffirms our commitment to the surveillance and protection of the public’s health, coastal environment and natural resources,” Cape May County Department of Health Director Kevin Thomas said.
A total of 61 ocean and one back bay recreational sites have been selected for weekly monitoring.
Enterococcus, a bacteria found in the feces of most animals, continues to be used as the indicator organism to assess water quality. The maximum estimated enterococcus concentration in marine waters shall not exceed 104 per 100ml of sample.
If the result of any microbiological water quality samples exceeds 104 per 100ml of sample, a swimming advisory will be posted at the bathing beach. Afterward, another sanitary survey and new samples will be taken. 
