Beaches reopen in Seaside Heights after water quality concerns

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (WTXF) - Beaches in Seaside Heights, New Jersey are expected to reopen Friday after water quality concerns shut them down for a day.

Beaches were closed to swimmers Thursday after Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz says testing found elevated fecal bacteria levels in the waters.

The mayor says the poor testing results were likely connected to the heavy rains that came with storms throughout the area earlier this week or calm waters that attracted baitfish and seagulls to the beach.

Follow up tests were performed on Wednesday and officials say those tests showed that bacteria levels were back down to a safe level.

A number of New Jersey shore towns have had water quality advisories and warnings go into effect throughout the summer. Most have followed heavy rainfall, which official say washes bacteria from land into the waterways and into the waters just offshore.