Rapid Methods Demonstration Project

Rapid Methods Demonstration Project at Four New Jersey Marine Beaches using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)

In 2011, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection worked with the US Environmental Protection Agency and Ocean County on a project using new technologies based on DNA replication to quickly determine (same day) bathing beach water quality.

This demonstration project was a culmination of studies conducted in the summers of 2007-2010. The project focused sampling at four marine bathing beaches in the Toms River area of Ocean County. It provided Enterococcus data for beach management decisions on the same day that samples were collected. Advisories were issued when needed. This demonstration project also tested the ability to collect, analyze, and report bacteriological sample results using a more rapid method of determination for Enterococcus bacteria concentrations. Enterococcus is an indicator of human and/or human waste, in marine bathing beach samples.

Monitoring using this new rapid method began on July 5, 2011 at the following bay beaches:

• Windward Beach, Brick Township
• Avon Road, Pine Beach Borough
• Beachwood Beach, Beachwood Borough
• Anglesea, Ocean Gate Borough

qPCR monitoring results are available and can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

qPCR Monitoring Data/Results

Additional Information

Click on the links below for additional information about the demonstration project and the qPCR method:

Quality Assurance Project Plan

qPCR Fact Sheet

Public Information Fact Sheet