An advisory against swimming has been issued at a sound-side site in Dare County, following the discovery of bacteria levels in the water that exceed state and Environmental Protection Agency standards. The advisory pertains to Jockey’s Ridge Sound-side Access in Nags Head, where recent tests revealed a running monthly average of 37 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. This figure surpasses the permissible standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters.
Enterococci, found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, are not known to cause illness directly but may indicate other harmful organisms’ presence. Swimming or playing in contaminated waters increases the risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisory is limited to waters within 200 feet of the posted sign and does not constitute a beach closure nor affect the entire Nags Head area. The sign reads:
“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”
State officials will continue monitoring the site and will remove the advisory once bacteria levels fall below the threshold. Recreational water quality officials regularly sample 221 sites across the coastal region from April to October, with reduced testing during off-peak months.
For more information on testing sites or details about the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program, visit their website or follow their social media accounts.
