State officials have lifted swimming advisories for two sites in Carteret County after recent water tests showed bacteria levels had returned to acceptable standards. The advisories, which were issued on August 12, affected public access points to Bogue Sound at 16th Street and Sunset Drive in Morehead City.
According to the state recreational water quality program, the initial advisories followed test results indicating that enterococci bacteria levels exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water for high-use areas. After further sampling, officials found that bacteria counts at both sites had dropped below this limit.
The signs advising against swimming and other water activities have been removed. State officials explained that while enterococci themselves are not known to cause illness, their presence can indicate other disease-causing organisms. Swimming or playing in waters with elevated bacteria levels may increase the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses 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,” said state officials. “The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 224 sites in coastal waters of the state, most of them on a weekly basis from April through October.”
Residents can find more information about testing locations and updates on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program’s website and social media accounts.
