State recreational water quality officials today lifted water quality swimming advisories for two sound-side swimming areas in Pamlico County.
The advisories were lifted because water testing shows that bacteria levels have dropped to within the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
The advisories were issued yesterday in Janiero. The first was at the public access on the south-side of Dawson Creek Bridge in Dawson Creek and the other was at the public access 500 yards north of Dawson Creek Bridge in Dawson Creek. Test results showed the site had exceeded 276 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, the standard for low-usage sites. Test of subsequent water samples show bacteria levels are now below the state and federal recreational water quality standard. The signs advising against swimming, skiing or otherwise coming into contact with the water have been removed.
Enterococci, the bacteria group used for testing, are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While it is not known to cause illness, scientific studies indicate that enterococci may indicate the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
Coastal recreational waters in North Carolina are generally clean. However, it is important to continue monitoring them, so the public can be informed of any localized problems. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 209 sites in coastal waters of the state, most of them on a weekly basis from April through October.
For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program, visit the program’s website, view a map of the testing sites, and follow the program’s Twitter feed.
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