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Rally for Barnegat Bay

Protecting Our Waters: Tackling Pollution in Ocean County

Did you know Ocean County was once the fastest-growing county in the U.S.? Since the 1970s, our population has surged from around 180,000 year-round residents to over 600,000 today, not to mention the millions of summer visitors. This rapid growth brings unique environmental challenges, especially when it comes to water quality.

One major issue is the increase in impervious surfaces—roads, parking lots, and other areas where rainwater can’t soak into the ground. As rainwater flows over these surfaces, it picks up pollutants like fertilizers, pet waste bacteria, and other contaminants. This polluted runoff enters storm drains, incubates even more bacteria, and ultimately flushes—untreated—into Barnegat Bay during storms.

As our towns have grown, so has their sewage and septic infrastructure, often layered on top of aging systems. These older pipes can leak harmful bacteria into nearby stormwater lines, further compounding the pollution problem. Pathogen pollution from multiple sources, especially harmful bacteria, has become a critical issue in waterways around Toms River. Pinpointing the exact sources can be both complex and costly.

Rally for Barnegat Bay Initiative

To tackle this issue, Save Barnegat Bay proudly partnered with Clean Ocean Action and the Ocean County Marine Academy of Environmental Science on the Rally for Barnegat Bay initiative. This program addressed hidden sources of pathogen pollution in the six most affected towns: Toms River, South Toms River, Ocean Gate, Beachwood, Berkeley, Pine Beach, and Island Heights.

Through this initiative:

  • Community scientists and students were trained in water sampling, field observations, and chain-of-custody protocols.
  • Volunteers collected water samples for E. coli, Enterococcus, and fecal coliform testing in our in-house lab.
  • Pollution-sniffing dog Remmy from K9 Environmental Services LLC was brought in to trace pollution sources, identifying infrastructure issues with a keen sense of smell.

Using a “find it, fix it” approach, the program effectively identified hidden pathogens without placing blame. This helped towns apply for New Jersey grant funding to fix problem areas and protect local waters.

New Initiative: Rivers, Creeks, and Streams

As Rally for Barnegat Bay wraps up, Save Barnegat Bay is thrilled to launch a new initiative: Rivers, Creeks, and Streams. (LINK TO  NEW PAGE) This program will continue the fight against water pollution, focusing on local water quality improvement.

Click here (LINK TO NEW PAGE)  to learn more about Rivers, Creeks, and Streams and discover how you can get involved!

Together, we can protect and restore Barnegat Bay for future generations. Join us in making a difference!

Alexandra Sellitsch

Alex is 27 years old and is an aspiring marine biologist who is finishing up her junior year at Stockton University. Growing up by the beach has made a significant impact on Alex’s life, which has influenced her passion for the ocean. She is an advocate for elasmobranch conservation, and enjoys getting her hands dirty in research. Alex is currently an intern with Barnegat Bay, researching pathogen influences in the bay’s water. She is also an active intern partnering with one of her professors, who is researching dual seagrass habitats in the Mullica River-Great Bay Estuary. In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time at the beach and teaching herserself new hobbies. Hobbies that include roller skating, and surfing. Alex is also volunteering with the Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Rescue Team, and is in the process of obtaining her SCUBA certification.