State recreational water quality officials have lifted a swimming advisory for a site in Beaufort County. The decision was made after tests showed bacteria levels fell below state and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.
The advisory, which began on May 16, concerned the public access area at Pantego Creek in Belhaven. It was issued when tests indicated that the monthly average of enterococci bacteria exceeded the EPA’s limit of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, a standard set for high-use sites. Recent testing has confirmed that these bacteria levels are now within acceptable limits.
Enterococci bacteria, found in warm-blooded animals’ intestines, do not directly cause illness but can signal other harmful organisms’ presence. Swimming or playing in contaminated waters may lead to gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections.
North Carolina’s coastal waters are typically clean; however, ongoing monitoring is crucial to address localized issues promptly. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program routinely samples 222 coastal sites across the state from April through October.
For more details about the program or to view testing sites, visit their website and social media pages.
