State recreational water quality officials today advise the public to avoid swimming in ocean and sound-side waters in Dare County affected by hazardous weather conditions.
Testing results from samples collected yesterday at numerous locations along the ocean and sound exceed the state and federal action levels of 104 enteroccocci per 100 milliliters of sample. Officials advise the public to avoid swimming in ocean beaches from East Kitty Hawk Road in Kitty Hawk to the southernmost beach access near the Oregon Inlet Campground in Nags Head, including the sound-side access at Jockey’s Ridge.
Because waters are impacted by widespread ocean over wash, signs will not be posted.
Residents and visitors should avoid swimming in these waters until bacteriological testing indicates sample results within State’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards. Resampling these locations will begin Sept. 28, and the advisory will be lifted in part or in whole as test results become available.
Widespread ocean over wash has a negative impact on coastal waters. Affected waters can contain elevated levels of harmful bacteria due to flooding of streets, yards and by compromising the effectiveness of ocean outfalls.
Recreational water quality officials sample 224 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 waters are colder.
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 social media account.