126 



The graphs show that an exceedance of the SWQS has occurred in Seaside 

 Heights (indicated as point number 2 on the graphs) for the past three years. 

 Specifically, the ocean nnonitcring station at Sheridan Avenue in Seaside Heights 

 has recorded the exceedance. This v ater quality degradation appears to be 

 attributable to the significant bird population roosting under the amusement pier at 

 this station. This issue is discussed in section in(C) below. 



Table 4 lists the number of ocean and bay monitoring stations in each county, 

 and the number of those stations that have shown geometric mean concentrations 

 of fecal coliform in excess of the SWQS. Table 4 includes data from 1990 through 

 1992. 



Table 4 



Number of Ocean Stations with Geometric Means Exceeding SWQS /Total Stations 



Number of Bay Stations with Geometric Means Exceeding SWQS /Total Stations 

 1990 1991 1992 



More bay stations than ocean stations had geometric mean concentrations that 

 exceeded the SWQS. DEPE and DOH believe that the difference results in part from 

 the bacteria loadings from stormwater discharges during rainfall. Though 178 point 

 source stormwater discharges are located in the ocean, more than 6,900 point source 

 stormwater discharges are located in the bays. 



The bays are also affected by other sources of bacteria that make it impossible to 

 determine the precise effect of stormwater on fecal coliform concentrations. These 

 sources include nonpoint sources of stormwater runoff directed to the bays, polluted 

 tributaries to the bays, the illegal discharge of marine sanitation devices from boats, 

 the presence of large wildlife populations, and the resuspension of bacteria-laden 



