CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) – After testing found bacterial levels above state and federal water quality standards, an advisory was posted on July 24 at a sound at the end of Florida Avenue in Carolina Beach.
On July 30, the advisory was lifted after follow-up testing found bacteria levels to no longer be hazardous.
The site was marked with a sign that indicated that levels of contamination may be hazardous to your health, and the advisory affected waters within 200 feet of the sign. Water samples taken on July 22 and 23 indicated that levels exceeded the state and federal action levels of 204 enterococci per 100 milliliters for the Tier 2 non-daily use site.
“The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program tests water quality at ocean and sound beaches in accordance with federal and state laws. Enterococci, the bacteria group used for testing, is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While it does not 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 action level have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections,” a N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announcement states.
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