State officials have lifted water quality swimming advisories for four sound-side areas in Beaufort County. The advisories were removed after tests showed that bacteria levels fell below the standards set by both the state and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The advisories, originally posted on June 19, affected sites in the Pamlico River near Washington. These included locations at the railroad trestle near downtown, public access at Haven Gardens Park off Park Drive, access off Christian Service Camp Road, and access off Camp Hardee Road.
Initial tests conducted on June 17 and June 18 revealed bacteria levels exceeding 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, which is above the safe recreational use standard for coastal waters. However, subsequent tests on June 23 indicated that bacteria levels had dropped to acceptable standards.
Officials will now remove signs advising against swimming or other water activities. Enterococci bacteria are used as an indicator in testing because they can suggest the presence of other harmful organisms despite not causing illness themselves. High levels can increase risks of gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections among swimmers.
While North Carolina’s coastal waters are generally clean, continuous monitoring remains essential to identify any localized issues. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program conducts regular sampling at 222 sites along the state’s coast from April through October.
For further details about the program or to view a map of testing sites, individuals are encouraged to visit the program’s website or follow its social media accounts.
