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Each week the health agencies take a sample and test it for fecal coliform. If the 

 fecal coliform concentration of the first sample of the week at a recreational station 

 does not exceed the primary contact standard, no further samples are required for 

 the week. If the fecal coliform concentration exceeds the standard, a second 

 confirmatory sample must be taken. If both the preliminary and he confirming 

 sample from a recreational station exceed the primary contact standard, DOH 

 regulations require the health agency to close the waters of the associated 

 recreational beach to primary contact activities such as swimming and wading, 

 N.T.A.C. 8:26-8.8. 



For recreational beaches, the health agency also surveys the area visually and 

 collects additional samples ("bracket samples") at either side of the station to 

 determine the extent of the pollution and possible pollution sources. The results 

 of the bracket samples determine the extent of the closing along the shore and the 

 number of beaches closed. 



In selecting the locations of the bracket samples for ocean beaches, the health 

 agency considers the fecal coliform concentrations at the adjacent monitoring 

 stations and the location of adjacent bathing beaches, suspected pollution sources, 

 and structures such as groins and piers that interfere with the movement of the 

 coastal waters. For example, if the adjacent monitoring stations show a fecal 

 coliform concentration in excess of the standard, bracket samples would be collected 

 from locations further away from the original station. If the concentrations at the 

 adjacent stations did not exceed the standard, then the samples would be collected at 

 a location between the original station and the adjacent stations. Bracket samples 

 from bay recreational beaches are taken at the outer limits of the beach. 



A beach located at a bracket sample area that exceeds the standard is included in 

 the closing if the confirming sample at the adjacent station exceeds the standard. A 

 single sample within the primary contact standard from a closed beach and an 

 acceptable sanitary survey of the area is required for a reopening. 



DOH regulations also provide the health agency with the discretion to close a 

 recreational beach when certain environmental conditions exist. Examples of such 

 conditions include the discharge of raw sewage through infrastructure failure or a 

 discharge of petroleum products on or off shore. Further, the health agency may 

 close a beach when a sanitary survey discovers any condition that may present "an 

 imminent hazard to public health." 



C. Inspections of Coastal Wastewat er Treatment Facilities 



Point source discharges from coastal wastewater treatment facilities can affect 

 water quality at bathing beaches. Accordingly, the DEPE routinely monitors the 

 treatment of effluent at these facilities, to ensure that they operate in accordance 

 with the requirements of their permits. 



