State officials have lifted a swimming advisory for a sound-side site in Beaufort County after recent water tests showed bacteria levels had dropped below state and federal standards.
The advisory, which was first posted on August 16 at the public access to Pantego Creek at the intersection of East Main and Tooley streets in Belhaven, followed water testing that revealed a monthly average of enterococci bacteria above the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters for high-use sites. According to officials, subsequent sampling found that bacteria levels have since fallen below this threshold.
Enterococci are bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not known to cause illness directly, studies indicate their presence may signal other disease-causing organisms. Exposure to waters with elevated bacteria levels can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness 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,” officials stated. “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.”
For more information about the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website and follow its social media account.
