State officials have lifted a swimming advisory for a site in Carteret County after recent water tests showed bacteria levels had fallen below established safety standards. The advisory, initially posted on June 4 at Bogue Sound’s public access on 16th Street in Morehead City, was due to elevated levels of enterococci bacteria.
Enterococci, found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, is not known to cause illness directly but can indicate the presence of other harmful organisms. High levels increase the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections for swimmers.
The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program conducts regular testing at 222 coastal sites from April through October. Officials emphasize that while North Carolina’s coastal waters are generally clean, ongoing monitoring and public advisories are essential for addressing localized issues.
For more details on testing and water quality, visit the program’s website or follow their social media updates.
