State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Dare County.
The advisory was lifted because water testing shows that bacteria levels have dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
The advisory was posted on July 3 at the sound-side swimming area in Colington Harbour, at the end of Colington Drive in Kill Devil Hills, after water testing showed a monthly average of the bacteria enterococci above 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, the EPA-mandated standard for high-use sites. Subsequent testing of water samples collected at this site found that bacteria levels have fallen below this standard.
The sign advising against swimming, skiing or otherwise coming into contact with the water has been removed.
Ocean-side swimming areas in Nags Head located at the public beach accesses at East Abalone Street and East Curlew Street remain under advisory. State officials will continue testing these sites and will remove the signs and notify the public when bacteria levels meet safe swimming standards.
Enterococci, the bacteria group used for testing, is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While it is not known to cause illness, scientific studies show 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 and inform the public of any localized problems. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 221 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 or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website, and follow the program’s Twitter feed.