EPA to resume Jersey Shore water quality tests

TRENTON - Environmental Protection Agency officials say they will resume helicopter flights on July 20 to test ocean water quality on the Jersey Shore.

The EPA says the "Coastal Chopper," which went on hiatus last year, will collect samples for dissolved oxygen and temperatures at 20 offshore locations. It will also check for floating debris and oil slicks.

The EPA also says it finished the first phase of studying a rapid test method to check beach water for harmful bacteria. The agency says results of the three-hour test at 20 beaches in Monmouth and Ocean Counties were, in most cases, similar to the longer conventional test.   - AP