State recreational water quality officials posted a swim advisory Friday at the public access at the Lennoxville Boat Ramp in Beaufort because bacteria levels in Taylors Creek exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.
Test results from water samples taken June 28 and June 29 indicate that bacteria levels exceed the state and federal action levels of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters for Tier 2 nondaily use sites, officials said Friday. Swimming areas are classified based on recreational use and are referred to as tiers.
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Those swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the action level have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisory is not a beach closing, nor does the include all of the Taylors Creek area. Swimming advisories are for waters within 200 feet of the sign.
The North Carolina 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.
State officials will continue testing the site, and they will remove the sign and notify the public again when the bacteria levels decrease to levels below the standards.
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For more information on the program or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the website or the program’s Twitter feed.
