State officials have issued a swimming advisory for a sound-side area in Dare County after water samples showed elevated bacteria levels above state and federal standards.
The advisory applies to the swimming area in Colington Harbour, located at the end of Colington Drive in Kill Devil Hills. Recent testing revealed a running monthly average of 41 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the state and Environmental Protection Agency standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters based on five samples collected within a 30-day period.
Enterococci are bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While these bacteria do not directly cause illness, they can indicate the presence of other organisms that may be harmful. Health officials note that exposure to waters with higher-than-allowed bacteria levels increases the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses or skin infections.
“This advisory is not a beach closing, nor does the advisory affect the entire Kill Devil Hills area. Swimming advisories are for waters within 200 feet of the sign,” according to officials. The posted sign states:
“ATTENTION
SWIMMING IN THIS AREA IS NOT RECOMMENDED. BACTERIA TESTING INDICATES LEVELS OF CONTAMINATION THAT MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. THIS ADVISORY AFFECTS WATERS WITHIN 200’ OF THIS SIGN.
OFFICE OF THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR”
Officials will continue monitoring and testing at this location and plan to remove the sign once bacteria levels fall below state and federal thresholds.
Throughout coastal North Carolina, recreational water quality officials test water at over 220 sites—most weekly from April through October—and continue reduced sampling during colder months when fewer people swim. Additional information about the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program and maps showing all testing locations can be found on their official website and social media accounts.
