State officials have issued a swimming advisory for an ocean-side site in Dare County after finding bacteria levels above state and federal standards. The advisory affects the public beach access at E. Oregon Street in Kill Devil Hills, where recent water samples showed a running monthly average of 39 enterococci per 100 milliliters. This exceeds the standard limit of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters set by both North Carolina and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Enterococci are bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not known to directly cause illness, their presence can indicate other disease-causing organisms may be present. Health officials warn that people swimming or playing in waters with high bacteria levels face an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
“This advisory is not a beach closing, nor does the advisory affect the entire Kill Devil Hills area. Swimming advisories are for waters within 200 feet of the sign,” according to state officials.
The posted sign 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.”
Officials will continue to test water at this location and will remove the advisory when bacteria levels fall below safety standards.
Recreational water quality staff sample 224 sites along North Carolina’s coast, most on a weekly basis from April through October, with less frequent testing during colder months when fewer people swim. More information about ongoing testing and a map of monitored sites can be found on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program’s website (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/nc-recreational-water-quality-program) and its social media accounts.
