5 Shocking Reasons Behind New Jersey Beach Closings In The 2025 Season

The New Jersey coastline, a beloved destination for millions, faced a challenging summer in 2025, marked by a noticeable spike in swimming advisories and temporary beach closings. While beach closures are an annual occurrence, the recent season highlighted persistent water quality issues driven primarily by environmental factors and aging infrastructure, prompting the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to issue warnings from the northern bays to the southern oceanfront.

This article, updated on December 16, 2025, delves into the five primary causes of these disruptions, explaining the science behind the closures and detailing the extensive monitoring program that keeps the state’s recreational waters safe. Understanding these factors is crucial for any resident or tourist planning a trip to the Jersey Shore in the upcoming 2026 season and beyond.

The Anatomy of a Closure: Key Facts and the NJDEP's CCMP

Before diving into the causes, it is essential to understand the regulatory framework governing New Jersey’s coastal health. The state’s beaches are monitored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) through the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP). This joint effort ensures that the water quality at approximately 195 ocean and 25 bay monitoring stations meets strict public health standards from mid-May to mid-September.

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A beach is placed under a Swimming Advisory when a single water sample exceeds the state standard of 104 colonies of *Enterococcus* bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. A Beach Closure is triggered if follow-up samples taken over 24 hours continue to exceed this threshold. Access to the sand remains open during an advisory, but swimming is strictly prohibited during a closure.

Biography of an Issue: The 2025 Beach Closings Profile

• Regulatory Body: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
• Monitoring Program: Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP)
• Monitoring Period: Mid-May to Mid-September (Annually)
• Primary Ocean/Bay Contaminant: *Enterococcus* (Fecal Bacteria)
• Primary Lake/Reservoir Contaminant: Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algal Blooms or HABs)
• Key Affected Counties (Summer 2025): Monmouth County, Ocean County, Cape May County
• Notable Affected Locations (2025 Advisories): Keyport, Sea Isle City, Miller Beach
• 2025 Trend: Reports indicated a spike in contaminated swimming areas compared to recent previous summers.

The 5 Primary Causes of New Jersey Beach Closings

The vast majority of swimming advisories and closures along the Jersey Shore are not random events. They are the direct result of environmental conditions and infrastructure failures that introduce harmful contaminants into the bathing waters. Here are the five most significant factors identified during the 2025 season.

1. Stormwater Runoff (The #1 Culprit)

The single biggest cause of bacterial contamination is stormwater runoff. During heavy rain events, water flows over impervious surfaces—streets, parking lots, and lawns—collecting pollutants before emptying into storm drains, rivers, and ultimately, the ocean and bays.

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This runoff carries a cocktail of contaminants, including pet waste, litter, and, most critically, fecal bacteria (*Enterococcus*). The 2025 season saw several intense summer thunderstorms, creating the perfect conditions for a surge in contamination levels, particularly in bay areas and near stormwater outfalls.

2. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Lakes and Bays

While ocean beaches are primarily affected by bacteria, inland lakes and some enclosed bays are increasingly plagued by Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which are an overgrowth of toxic cyanobacteria (often called blue-green algae).

The cycle of high heat followed by heavy rainfall—a common pattern in the 2025 summer—creates nutrient-rich, warm, and stagnant water, which is the ideal recipe for HABs to flourish. When cyanobacteria levels exceed the NJDEP’s advisory threshold, swimming is temporarily prohibited, frequently shutting down popular spots like Lake Hopatcong and other freshwater recreational areas for weeks during peak season.

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3. Aging Sewer and Septic Infrastructure

In older Jersey Shore towns, aging sewer and septic systems pose a significant threat. Cracks or leaks in these pipes, especially during periods of high groundwater or heavy rain, can lead to raw or partially treated sewage seeping into local waterways. This directly introduces high levels of fecal matter into the ecosystem.

The presence of *Enterococcus* bacteria, the primary indicator used by the CCMP, is a direct sign of human or animal waste contamination. The increased number of advisories in 2025 served as a stark reminder of the need for infrastructure upgrades in several coastal communities.

4. Water Flow and Tidal Conditions

Water quality is not just about what goes into the water; it is also about how it moves. In areas with poor circulation, such as enclosed bays, lagoons, and tidal creeks, pollutants tend to linger. The natural flushing action of the ocean is less effective in these areas, meaning that once contamination occurs, it takes longer for the water quality to improve and for the advisory to be lifted.

This explains why bay beaches, such as those in the Keyport or Barnegat Bay area, are often more susceptible to prolonged advisories than the open oceanfront beaches. The NJDEP must wait for two consecutive clean samples to lift a restriction, a process that is delayed by poor tidal flow.

5. Avian and Wildlife Waste

While often overshadowed by stormwater and sewer issues, natural sources of contamination also contribute to localized closures. Large populations of waterfowl, such as geese and gulls, can deposit significant amounts of waste directly onto the sand or into the water, particularly near bulkheads and jetties.

In smaller, localized areas, this avian waste can be enough to temporarily push the *Enterococcus* levels above the safety threshold. These closures are typically short-lived but are a persistent issue in specific park and public areas along the coast.

How to Check the Current Status of Any New Jersey Beach

For beachgoers, staying informed is the best defense against a ruined day. The NJDEP maintains a real-time tracking system that provides the most up-to-date information on water quality, advisories, and closures across all monitored stations. This system is the official source for all public health announcements.

The Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) website is updated daily during the summer season with the results of water sampling. When planning a trip to the Jersey Shore, always check the status of your specific beach before you leave home. A swimming advisory is a warning, but a closure means the water is actively unsafe for bathing.

The 2025 season served as a critical reminder that water quality is a dynamic issue, constantly influenced by weather, pollution, and infrastructure. By understanding the causes of beach closings—from powerful stormwater runoff to the proliferation of Harmful Algal Blooms—the public can better support ongoing efforts to protect the state's invaluable coastal resources for the 2026 season and beyond.