News Summary
Health officials in North Carolina have issued multiple swimming advisories along the coast due to elevated bacteria levels following recent heavy rainfall. The advisories highlight potential health risks from bacteria associated with fecal contamination, particularly near Whiskey Creek in Wilmington. Beachgoers are cautioned against swimming close to designated warning signs. In addition, warnings regarding Portuguese man-of-war presence have been raised. Ongoing water quality monitoring will continue to ensure safety.
Wilmington, North Carolina – Health officials have issued multiple swimming advisories across North Carolina’s coastal areas due to elevated bacteria levels detected in recreational waters following heavy rainfall. These advisories emphasize the potential health risks associated with swimming in contaminated water.
Storm runoff has significantly increased bacteria counts, prompting the advisories that highlight the presence of enterococci, a bacteria associated with fecal contamination. The highest concern has been identified near Whiskey Creek along the Intracoastal Waterway in Wilmington, particularly at testing marker #135, where bacteria levels were found to exceed both state and federal action thresholds of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.
In addition to Wilmington, a swimming advisory was also issued for Dare County. At Jockey’s Ridge Sound-side Access in Nags Head, elevated bacteria levels were detected in the Roanoke Sound, surpassing the federal safety standards. Furthermore, a third advisory has been posted for a sound-side location in Beaufort County, reporting similar bacteria levels as those found in Nags Head.
The advisories specify that swimming is not recommended within 200 feet of the designated warning signs, but they do not indicate complete beach closures. Health officials stress that exposure to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses and skin infections, posing serious health risks for swimmers and beachgoers.
Additional Hazards Along the Shoreline
Alongside the swimming advisories, fire officials have raised warnings regarding the presence of Portuguese man-of-war in coastal waters, particularly at Oak Island, Sunset Beach, and Cape Lookout National Seashore. These intriguing but dangerous creatures can be identified by their blue or purple coloration and long, thread-like tentacles. Even when deceased, their tentacles retain the ability to cause painful stings, which can result in serious discomfort for those who come into contact with them.
Officials caution beachgoers against touching these organisms due to the risks they present, particularly stressing that the tentacles can still cause injuries, including painful stings to bare feet even after the man-of-war have washed ashore.
Ongoing Water Quality Monitoring
North Carolina’s recreational water quality officials take preventive measures by routinely sampling more than 221 coastal sites from April through October to monitor water safety. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality continues to conduct tests at the affected locations and will lift advisories only when bacteria levels return to safe, acceptable standards.
Recent data indicates that nearly half of U.S. beaches faced potentially unsafe contamination levels in 2022, primarily due to stormwater runoff and sewage overflows. The rising incidence of such cases has prompted legislative action, as evidenced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has allocated over $11 billion towards sewage and stormwater projects. This funding aims to enhance water quality and reduce the risks of contamination across the nation.
As the summer continues, officials encourage the public to stay informed about water quality and to heed advisories regarding swimming and beach safety. Awareness and adherence to these guidelines are crucial in protecting public health and ensuring a safe recreational experience along North Carolina’s coast.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Corolla, N.C. Implements Swimming Advisories Due to Flooding and Water Quality Concerns
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Additional Resources
- WFMY News: NC Beaches Warnings
- Newsweek: NC Beach Warnings
- CBS17: Don’t Swim Advisory
- WECT: Caution Urged for Swimmers
- WSOC TV: Swim Advisories Issued
- Wikipedia: Fecal Coliform
- Google Search: North Carolina Beach Water Quality
- Google Scholar: Wastewater Pollution
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bacteria
- Google News: North Carolina Beach Advisories
