*This is a North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) notice. Brunswick County is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. For the most up-to-date information, visit the NCDEQ website or contact NCDEQ directly.
Posted August 28, 2024 | Read Original Release on NCDEQ Website
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – State recreational water quality officials today [Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024] lifted a water quality swimming advisory at an ocean-side site in Brunswick County.
The advisory was lifted because water testing shows that bacteria levels have dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
The advisory was posted on Aug. 7 at the Caswell Beach public access off Caswell Beach Road. Water testing showed a monthly average of the bacteria enterococci above the EPA-mandated level of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, the standard for high-use sites. Subsequent testing of water samples collected at this site found that bacteria levels have fallen below this standard. The sign advising against swimming, skiing or otherwise coming into contact with the water has been removed.
Enterococci, the bacteria group used for testing, is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While it is not known to 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 standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
Coastal recreational waters in North Carolina are generally clean. However, it is important to continue monitoring them and inform the public of any localized problems. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 221 sites in coastal waters of the state, most of them on a weekly basis from April through October.
For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website, and follow the program’s Twitter feed.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Erin Bryan-Millush, N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program Manager
Email Erin Bryan-Millush
Phone: 252.515.5613
NCDEQ: Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for most sound-side sites after Tropical Storm Debby
Posted August 22, 2024 | Read Original Release on NCDEQ Website
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – State recreational water quality officials have now lifted the precautionary against swimming issued due to Tropical Storm Debby for all but eight locations.
The precautionary advisory was lifted today for most sound-side swimming sites in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret, Hyde, and Dare Counties. Test results of water samples taken from these waters show bacterial levels that meet the state’s and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s safe swimming standards. The precautionary advisory of most ocean-side sites was lifted Aug.14.
Eight areas remain under swimming advisory due to bacteria levels that exceed safe swimming standards:
- The Caswell Beach Public Beach access off Caswell Beach Road in Brunswick County;
- Banks Channel at the public access located at the corner of Waynick Boulevard and Sunset Avenue in Wrightsville Beach in New Hanover County;
- Banks Channel at Waynick Boulevard approximately 150 yards north of Iula Street in Wrightsville Beach in New Hanover County;
- Pamlico River at the Railroad Trestle in Washington;
- Pamlico Sound at the Sandy Bay sound-side access near Frisco along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore;
- Roanoke Sound at the Colington Harbour swim beach at the end of Colington Drive in Kill Devil Hills in Dare County;
- Ocean waters at GA Kohler Court in Rodanthe along Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County;
- Ocean waters at Tower Circle in Buxton along Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County.
Recreational water quality officials continue to monitor these areas and will notify the public when conditions meet the state’s and EPA’s safe swimming standards.
The precautionary advisory was issued Aug. 7 as Tropical Storm Debby approached North Carolina. Excessive rains and flooding can cause high levels of bacteria in the water that can make people sick. Floodwaters and storm water runoff can contain pollutants such as waste from septic systems, sewer line breaks, pet waste, wildlife, petroleum products and other chemicals.
Coastal recreational waters in North Carolina are generally clean. However, it is important to continue monitoring them and inform the public of any localized problems. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 221 sites in coastal waters of the state, most of them on a weekly basis from April through October.
For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website, and follow the program’s Twitter feed.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Erin Bryan-Millush, N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program Manager
Email Erin Bryan-Millush
Phone: 252.515.5613
NCDEQ: Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for most ocean-side sites after Tropical Storm Debby
Posted August 14, 2024 | Read Original Release on NCDEQ Website
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – State officials today [Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024] lifted the precautionary advisory against swimming issued due to Tropical Storm Debby for all but two ocean-side sites. All sound-side areas remain under advisory.
The precautionary advisory is lifted for all ocean-side swimming sites, except one ocean-side site in Brunswick County and an ocean site in Dare County. Test results of water samples taken from these waters show bacterial levels that meet the state’s and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s safe swimming standards.
The precautionary advisory against swimming remains in effect for:
- The Caswell Beach Public Beach access off Caswell Beach Road in Brunswick County;
- Ocean waters at Sea Oats Drive in Rodanthe along Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County;
- All sound-side waters from the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk south to the South Carolina State line.
Recreational water quality officials continue to test these waters and will notify the public when water samples collected meet the state’s and EPA’s safe swimming standards.
The precautionary advisory was issued Aug. 7 as Tropical Storm Debby approached North Carolina. Excessive rains and flooding can cause high levels of bacteria in the water that can make people sick. Floodwaters and storm water runoff can contain pollutants such as waste from septic systems, sewer line breaks, pet waste, wildlife, petroleum products and other chemicals.
Coastal recreational waters in North Carolina are generally clean. However, it is important to continue monitoring them and inform the public of any localized problems. The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 221 sites in coastal waters of the state, most of them on a weekly basis from April through October.
For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website, and follow the program’s Twitter feed.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Patricia Smith, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Public Information Officer
Email Patricia Smith
Phone: 252.515.5500
NCDEQ: State officials advise against swimming in coastal waters impacted by Tropical Storm Debby
Posted August 7, 2024 | Read Original Release on NCDEQ Website
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters from Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk south to the South Carolina State line affected by Tropical Storm Debby.
Heavy rains have negatively impacted coastal waters. Waters affected by stormwater runoff can contain elevated levels of harmful bacteria that drain into coastal water bodies. The excess rain has caused flooding of streets, yards and housing that have resulted in some municipalities having to pump floodwaters into the ocean and sounds. Avoid swimming near ocean outfalls, including the wet sand where the floodwater is pumped, even if no sign is posted.
“Severe weather events like tropical storms and hurricanes bring excessive amounts of rain, storm surge and cause extreme flooding. These conditions increase levels of harmful bacteria in our coastal waters that can cause illness,” said Erin Bryan-Millush, manager of the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program. “The sources of bacteria can vary and include failing septic systems, sewer line breaks and overflowing manholes.”
While state officials do not have immediate laboratory confirmation that disease-causing organisms are in the water, storm impacts increase the chance that contamination is present, thus increasing the risk of adverse health effects from swimming in these waters.
Residents and visitors should avoid swimming in these waters until testing indicates bacteria levels are within the state’s and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards. Testing will begin as soon as conditions are safe, and areas are accessible. The advisory will be lifted in part or in whole as test results become available.
Since the impacts are widespread, it is not possible to post signs in all areas.
Recreational water quality officials sample 215 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 fewer people are in the water.
For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website, and follow the program’s Twitter feed.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Erin Bryan-Millush, N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program Manager
Email Erin Bryan-Millush
Phone: 252.515.5613