UPDATE : Precautionary Swimming Advisory Lifted for Hatteras Island and Most Dare County Waters
State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory for all coastal waters in Dare County except where signs are posted.
Test results of water samples taken at swimming sites from Hatteras Inlet to Southern Shores found that bacteria levels for most waters meet the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
Signs are posted further north at five Nags Head and Colington ocean or sound beaches to warn the public against swimming or otherwise contacting with the water in these areas.
On July 25, state officials advised the public to avoid swimming in coastal waters in and around Dare and Currituck counties due to high rainfall and flooding from recent storms that may lead to excessive bacteria in the water. Floodwaters and stormwater runoff can contain pollutants such as waste from septic systems, sewer line breaks, pet waste, wildlife, petroleum products and other chemicals.
State recreational water quality officials sample 209 sites throughout the coastal region, most of them on a weekly basis, from April to October. Testing continues on a reduced schedule during the rest of the year, when the waters are colder.
For more information about coastal recreational water quality, visit the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program’s website at:http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-water-quality or on Twitter.com @ncrecprgm.
