State officials have issued a swimming advisory for the sound-side area at Jockey’s Ridge Sound-side Access in Nags Head, Dare County, after detecting bacteria levels that surpass both state and federal standards. According to recreational water quality officials, recent testing showed a running monthly average of 64 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. This figure exceeds the established limit of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters set by North Carolina and the Environmental Protection Agency, based on five samples collected within a 30-day period.
Enterococci are bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not directly linked to illness, their presence can signal that other disease-causing organisms may be present in the water. Health authorities note that people swimming or playing in waters with high bacteria counts face an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
Officials emphasized that this is not a beach closing and does not impact all of Nags Head. The advisory applies only to waters within 200 feet of the posted sign at Jockey’s Ridge Sound-side Access. The sign reads:
“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”
Testing at the site will continue until bacteria levels fall below regulatory standards, at which point officials will remove the sign and update the public.
The state’s Recreational Water Quality Program regularly samples 224 sites along North Carolina’s coast from April through October, with less frequent monitoring during colder months when fewer people swim. Additional information about water quality testing locations and updates is available on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program website and through its social media channels.
