State officials have issued a swimming advisory for a sound-side site in Carteret County due to elevated bacteria levels. The advisory applies to the public area west of the Atlantic Beach High-rise Bridge in Bogue Sound, near Atlantic Beach. Water samples collected on May 28 and May 29 showed bacteria levels exceeding state and federal standards of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters for Tier 2 non-daily use sites.
Enterococci, found in warm-blooded animals’ intestines, is used as an indicator for testing. Although it does not cause illness itself, its presence may suggest other harmful organisms. Swimming in waters with high bacteria levels increases the risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisory is not a beach closure and does not affect the entire Bogue Sound area. It applies only to waters within 200 feet of the posted sign, which reads:
“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.
OFFICE OF THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR”
Officials will continue monitoring the site and will remove the sign once bacteria levels fall below standard thresholds.
The state’s recreational water quality officials regularly sample 222 coastal sites from April to October, with reduced testing during colder months. For more information about the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to view testing sites, visit their website or follow their social media account.
