State officials have issued a swimming advisory for the public beach access at E. Oregon Street in Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, after water samples showed bacteria levels above state and federal standards.
Testing at the site found a running monthly average of 39 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. This level exceeds both North Carolina and Environmental Protection Agency standards, which set a limit of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters based on five samples collected over a 30-day period.
Enterococci are bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While not directly linked to illness, their presence can indicate that other harmful organisms may be in the water. Health officials say that swimming or playing in waters with elevated bacteria levels increases the risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisory is limited to waters within 200 feet of the posted sign at E. Oregon Street and does not apply to the entire Kill Devil Hills 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”
Officials clarified that this is not a beach closing but an advisory intended to protect public health.
State officials will continue testing at the site and will remove the advisory sign once bacteria levels return below established standards.
The North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Program monitors water quality at 224 sites along the coast, conducting weekly tests from April through October and less frequent sampling during other months when fewer people visit coastal waters. More information about the program and a map of testing locations can be found on its website and social media accounts.
