State officials have issued swimming advisories for four sites in Beaufort County after detecting high bacteria levels. The affected areas are located in the Pamlico River near Washington, including the railroad trestle near downtown, public access at Haven Gardens Park, and accesses off Christian Service Camp Road and Camp Hardee Road.
The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program found that water samples taken on June 17 and 18 exceeded the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters for Tier 2 non-daily use sites. Enterococci are indicators of potential disease-causing organisms present in the water.
“This advisory is not a beach closing, nor does the advisory affect the entire Pamlico River area,” officials stated. They clarified that advisories apply to waters within 200 feet of posted signs warning against swimming due to contamination risks.
The program tests water quality at ocean and sound beaches according to federal and state laws. Officials will continue testing these sites until bacteria levels fall below action thresholds. They will remove warning signs and notify the public once it is safe again.
For more details about testing locations or updates from the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program, individuals can visit their website or follow their social media accounts.
