The Atlantic County Ocean Water Quality Program celebrates its 29th season this summer, providing seasonal weekly reports on bacterial samples taken from ocean waters on beaches along Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

A highlight of the program is the Ocean Water Quality Index, created by health officials from the county and city health departments as a means of giving the public accurate, easily understood information on the quality of our waters. Information is posted on the back of lifeguard stands and stations along the Atlantic County shoreline for easy access.

The Ocean Water Quality Index is divided into five grades, based on the average number of bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. The five grades are as follows:

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.

Twenty-five years of water testing and interaction with the public on this issue has shown two things:

• There is a great deal of public interest in accessing information about the quality of our ocean waters.
• The waters off Atlantic County are consistently in the excellent category.

The Ocean Water Quality Program is an annual project of the Atlantic County Division of Public Health in cooperation with the Atlantic City Health Department. For additional information contact County Health Officer Patricia Diamond at (609) 645-5935.

Atlantic County’s natural resources offer a variety of recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

Enjoy 14 miles of sandy, white beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.
Beaches in Atlantic County

And choose from several locations for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
Fishing in Atlantic County

For more information about ocean water quality from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection visit www.njbeaches.org.