State officials have lifted a swimming advisory for a sound-side area in Dare County after recent water tests showed bacteria levels are now within acceptable limits. The advisory, which had been issued on August 26, affected the swimming area in Colington Harbour at the end of Colington Drive in Kill Devil Hills.
Officials stated that the advisory was removed because new testing indicated bacteria levels had dropped below both state and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for recreational waters. “The advisory was lifted because water testing shows that bacteria levels have dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play,” according to state recreational water quality officials.
The initial warning was triggered when monthly averages of enterococci bacteria exceeded the EPA-mandated level of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, which is the standard for high-use sites. Following additional sampling, officials confirmed that the site no longer posed an elevated health risk. As a result, signs advising against activities such as swimming or skiing have been taken down.
Enterococci bacteria are used as indicators during water quality testing. “Enterococci, the bacteria group used for testing, is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While it is not known to cause illness, scientific studies show that enterococci may indicate the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections,” officials explained.
North Carolina generally maintains clean coastal recreational waters but continues to monitor them regularly to alert residents and visitors about any local concerns. The North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Program collects samples from 224 coastal sites across the state, with most locations tested weekly between April and October.
Further information about monitoring efforts and access to maps showing test sites can be found through resources provided by the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program website.
