State officials have lifted swimming advisories at two locations in Dare County after recent water tests showed bacteria levels had dropped below state and federal standards. The affected areas, both in Kill Devil Hills, included the sound-side swimming area in Colington Harbour at the end of Colington Drive and the public beach access at E. Oregon Street.
The first advisory was issued on August 5 for Colington Harbour, while the second was posted on August 12 for E. Oregon Street. Both sites previously recorded monthly averages of enterococci bacteria above the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters for high-use sites. After additional testing, officials found that bacteria concentrations were now within acceptable limits, prompting removal of warning signs against swimming or other water activities.
Despite lifting these advisories, authorities continue to caution residents and visitors to avoid low-lying areas impacted by storm surge from Hurricane Erin.
According to officials, “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.”
Coastal recreational waters across North Carolina are typically clean; however, ongoing monitoring remains important to quickly alert the public about localized issues. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program conducts regular sampling at 224 coastal sites throughout North Carolina each year—most are checked weekly between April and October.
Further information about water quality testing and site maps can be accessed through the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program’s website and social media accounts.
