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For Immediate Release |
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Excellent Ocean Water Quality Welcomes Visitors to Atlantic County Beaches
Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer season, the waters off of Atlantic County's beaches have received an "excellent" Ocean Water Quality rating. The Atlantic County Ocean Water Quality Program, in its twenty-fourth season, ensures safe bathing areas for residents and tourists who visit Atlantic County's 14 miles of beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
"Weekly results are easily accessible by accessing the county’s web site at www.aclink.org, calling our toll-free hotline 1-800-633-SWIM or subscribing through our email notification system," said Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive. Results are also posted at area lifeguard stations.
The Atlantic County Ocean Water Quality Program is coordinated by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health in cooperation with the Atlantic City Health Department. Health Officials take weekly water quality samples at 34 different sites in Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, Longport and Somers Point. Each water sample is tested for bacteria according to standards set by the New Jersey State Department of Health.
The Ocean Water Quality Index includes the following five grades, based on the number of enterococcus bacteria per 100 milliliters of water:
Excellent, 0-26 bacteria count; Very Good, 27-52 bacteria count; Good, 53-78 bacteria count; Fair, 79-104 bacteria count; Poor, bacteria count above 104, waters closed to swimmers.
The index below reflects water testing samples from Monday, May 21, 2012:
Atlantic County Ocean Water Quality Index
Excellent: 0-26 Very Good: 27-52 Good: 53-78 Fair: 79-104 Poor: Above 104
Atlantic City 11
Brigantine 3
Longport 3
Margate 5
Ventnor 3
Rating: All Excellent
For more information on this program, visit www.aclink.org/publichealth/ocean or call the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5935.
For more information, click here.
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