State officials have issued swimming advisories for two sound-side locations in Carteret County after detecting bacteria levels above state and federal standards. The affected areas are at public access points on Sunset Drive and 16th Street along the Morehead City waterfront in Bogue Sound.
According to water quality officials, samples taken over a 30-day period showed a monthly running average exceeding the standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters. This standard is set by both North Carolina and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Enterococci bacteria, used as an indicator in testing, are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not directly linked to illness, their presence can signal other disease-causing organisms may be present. Health officials note that swimming or playing in waters with elevated bacteria levels increases the risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisories do not constitute a full beach closure and apply only to waters within 200 feet of posted signs at each site. The posted signs read:
“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.
OFFICE OF THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR”
Officials will continue to monitor these sites and will remove advisories once bacteria levels fall below regulatory thresholds.
The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program regularly samples water at 224 coastal sites, mostly weekly from April through October, with reduced testing during colder months when fewer people swim. Additional information about the program and a map of testing locations can be found on its website and social media accounts.
