Swimming advisory lifted for Bogue Sound public access

State water quality officials have lifted a water quality swimming advisory issued earlier this month for an area of Bogue Sound in Morehead City.

The advisory, originally issued May 14, was lifted Tuesday after water testing showed bacteria levels have dropped below state and federal thresholds established for recreational water activities, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

A sign posted at Sunset Drive public access to Bogue Sound warning people against swimming, skiing, or coming into contact with the water has been removed by state water quality officials.

Water testing earlier this month showed a monthly average of enterococci exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mandated level of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, according to a DEQ release.

Enterococci are a group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. People who go into water with bacteria levels higher than the standards face an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.

The public access at Sunset Drive is one of 221 sites in state coastal waters the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program routinely samples from April through October.

More information about the program, including a map of testing sites, may be found on the program’s website. You may also follow the program’s Twitter feed.