State officials have issued a swimming advisory for the public beach access at E. Oregon Street in Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, after water testing revealed bacteria levels above state and federal standards.
According to recreational water quality officials, recent samples showed a running monthly average of 39 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water at the site. This figure exceeds both North Carolina’s and the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard of a running monthly average of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters, based on five samples collected within a 30-day period.
Enterococci are bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not known to directly cause illness, their presence can signal other disease-causing organisms may be in the water. Health authorities note that people swimming or playing in waters with elevated bacteria levels face an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
Officials clarified that this is not a full beach closure and does not impact all of Kill Devil Hills. The advisory applies only to waters within 200 feet of the posted sign at E. Oregon Street. The warning 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”
The state will continue testing at the affected location and will remove the sign once bacteria levels fall below regulatory thresholds.
From April through October, recreational water quality officials collect samples from 224 coastal sites each week; sampling continues on a reduced schedule during colder months when fewer swimmers visit these areas.
More information about North Carolina’s Recreational Water Quality Program and maps showing testing locations are available on the program’s website.
