Update: On Thursday, state officials lifted Wednesday’s swim advisory. Bacteria levels now meet state recreational swimming standards. The original article appears below:
OAK ISLAND — Tourists and swimmers be aware: tests show bacteria levels at an Oak Island public access exceed state standards.
Samples taken Tuesday at the public access in front of Middleton Park in Oak Island reveal elevated levels of enterococci, bacteria that are found in high quantities in fecal matter.
Related: Oak Island shares safety warning after boy in unicorn float drifts a quarter-mile offshore
Swimming at the public access off East Beach Drive is not recommended. Bacteria present in the water may be hazardous to human health, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
The swim advisory does not impact the entire island. All other Oak Island sites tested do not reveal elevated bacteria levels. Testing will continue at the site. When bacteria levels meet state recreational swimming standards, state officials will remove a public sign.
View a map of all testing sites, or visit N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program’s website for more information.
