State officials have announced the lifting of a water quality swimming advisory for a site in Carteret County. Recent tests indicate that bacteria levels have decreased to meet the standards set by both the state and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The advisory, initially issued on June 10, affected the public access area to Bogue Sound at Sunset Drive in Morehead City. Tests conducted then showed enterococci bacteria levels exceeding the EPA’s standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters for high-use sites. Following additional testing, authorities confirmed that bacteria levels have now dropped below this threshold. Consequently, signage warning against swimming and other water activities has been removed.
Enterococci are commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not directly causing illness, their presence can suggest other harmful organisms might be present. Waters with elevated bacteria levels pose an increased risk of gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections for those who swim or play there.
North Carolina’s coastal waters are typically clean, yet monitoring remains crucial to address any localized issues promptly. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program conducts regular sampling across 222 coastal sites from April through October.
For more information on water quality monitoring efforts or to access testing site maps, individuals are encouraged to visit the program’s website and follow its social media updates.
