BEACHWOOD – The borough’s beach along the Toms River will be closed for the rest of the season for safety reasons.
The borough posted a notice online that read “For the safety, health and welfare of the residents and others, the Mayor and Council have decided to close swimming at the beach for the remainder of the 2024 season due to the Ocean County Health Department reporting of excessive bacteria levels found in the water. You may still sit and take in the lovely view of the scenery but no one will be permitted to swim.”
Mayor William Cairns said he was disappointed that the beach will be closed, but it’s the right thing to do for the health of residents and visitors. It’s compounded by the fact that it was closed last year, too, because the borough couldn’t hire enough lifeguards.
The borough has been working hard on measures to keep the water clean, and keep it open throughout the year, he said, but the water continued to have bad results on bacteria tests.
“It used to be, after a heavy rain, we’d be closed,” he said. This was because the rain washes animal waste and other matter into the river. “But after 7 days of bad readings and no rain, we couldn’t – in good conscience – keep it open.”
On a recent visit to the beach, there were several people sitting out and enjoying the view. However, there was also what appeared to be goose droppings by the water. A sign near the sand warned people not to feed the geese and not to bring their pets for the health of the water.
Part of the issue is that the river is slow moving, so impurities don’t wash away as quickly.
“On the other side of the break wall, the readings are much better,” Cairns said.
This is prime time for swimming since the midsummer heat has been severe. The borough also posted a message online “Due to the unusually dry conditions, the borough of Beachwood has implemented water restrictions as odd and even days.”
