3 Jersey Shore beaches closed, 31 water quality advisories issued

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Officials have closed three beaches in New Jersey and have issued water quality advisories for 31 others because of elevated bacteria levels.

"I wanted to go in the water and like swim but I saw a sign that said beach closed," said 9-year-old Daniel Marx. He and his sister Caroline are spending the summer in Ventnor but got up today to find the beach closed.

"That's not fun," he said. Ventnor is one of nearly three dozen New Jerseys beaches including rivers and bays that the State Department of Environmental Protection found had higher than normal bacteria levels forcing some under a water quality advisory and others to close to swimmers.

Daniel's mom Debbie is concerned but says the family is making the best of it playing catch in the sand.

"I think it's good that they're testing the water but it's definitely upsetting as someone as someone who wants to go in the water with my family," she said.

David Funk is a Lieutenant with Ventnor Beach Patrol. He's been monitoring the DEP's findings on newjerseybeaches.org.

"It shows you up and down the area where the water is tested and areas that are open," he said adding that they were under an advisory the past two days but closed at one o'clock this afternoon after the water was tested again and the bacteria levels had risen.

"Which we believe is due to storm water runoff. The last few high tide cycles were higher than normal and with the predominant onshore flow of the wind, it's been keeping that flow that would usually go out to sea with the tides, closer to the beach so it was unable to disperse like normal," explained Lt. Funk.

Jill Cakert and Judy Feinberg were on their evening walk when we told them about the closure.

They're just happy to hear officials are keeping tabs on when it's safe to go back in the water.

"I'm sure it will be ok in a day or two and it's beautiful down here even if you can't go in the water," said Cakert.

Ventnor will remain closed for 24 hours until the levels are tested again.

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