Watch CBS News

Lautenberg, Pallone Push Faster Testing Of NJ Ocean Waters

BELMAR, NJ (WCBS 880) - Expanding on the Beach Act of 2000, Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Frank Pallone are introducing new legislation which would require more rapid testing of the New Jersey's ocean water.

WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron On The Jersey Shore

Podcast

"A day at the beach should never turn into a day at the doctor's," said Lautenberg.

"You might say, 'well what do we need that for?' Well, because if it is contaminated, we want to close the beach sooner so people don't get sick," Pallone said on Wednesday.

On the flip side, Pallone says it would also allow for beaches to reopen more quickly. The bill also calls for improved public posting of test results and better tracking of the pollution source.

"Once we find these spikes in contamination, there are tests that can be done to track back up and find the pipeline or find the source of the pollution and then control it," says Clean Ocean Action's Cindy Zipf.

Right now, she says, it takes about 24 hours for the results to be found.

"When we find out that the beaches are contaminated, the message is 'you shouldn't have swam yesterday.' So, what these new test results will do will be able to provide same-day results," Zipf said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.