An advisory has been issued against swimming at a sound-side site in Carteret County due to elevated bacteria levels. State recreational water quality officials found that the bacteria levels exceed both state and Environmental Protection Agency standards.
The affected area is at the public access to Bogue Sound on Sunset Drive in Morehead City. Water samples showed a monthly running average of 41 enterococci per 100 milliliters, surpassing the standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters based on five samples over a 30-day period.
Enterococci, used for testing, are bacteria from warm-blooded animals’ intestines. While not directly causing illness, they may indicate other harmful organisms’ presence. Swimming in such waters increases risks of gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections.
The advisory does not close the beach nor affect all of Morehead City. It applies only within 200 feet of the posted sign which states:
“ATTENTION SWIMMING IN THIS AREA IS NOT RECOMMENDED. BACTERIA TESTING INDICATES LEVELS OF CONTAMINATION THAT MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. THIS ADVISORY AFFECTS WATERS WITHIN 200’ OF THIS SIGN.”
State officials will continue testing and will remove the sign once bacteria levels fall below standards.
Recreational water quality officials test 222 sites along the coast weekly from April to October, with reduced testing during other months when fewer people swim.
For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to view a map of testing sites, visit their website and social media accounts.
