Swimming advisories lifted for most Currituck beaches

Published 1:31 pm Saturday, July 28, 2018

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory for all ocean waters in Currituck County except where there is floodwater pumping.

Test results of water samples taken at swimming sites from the southern end of Corolla to the Virginia state line found that bacteria levels meet the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.

However, swimming advisories remain in effect where towns and subdivisions continue to pump floodwater to the ocean. These sites may change from day to day, but a sign should be posted to warn the public against swimming or otherwise contacting with the water.

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On July 25, state officials advised the public to avoid swimming in coastal waters in and around Dare and Currituck counties due to high rainfall and flooding from recent storms that may lead to excessive bacteria in the water. Floodwaters and stormwater runoff can contain pollutants such as waste from septic systems, sewer line breaks, pet waste, wildlife, petroleum products and other chemicals.

The precautionary advisory for Dare County was lifted yesterday.

State recreational water quality officials sample 209 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 the waters are colder.

For more information about coastal recreational water quality, visit the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program’s website at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-water-quality or on Twitter.com @ncrecprgm.