Saturday, February 15, 2025

Swimming advisory issued for Carolina Beach due to elevated bacteria levels

A swimming advisory has been issued for beach access at the end of Florida Avenue in Carolina Beach. (Port City Daily/Alexandria Sands Williams)

CAROLINA BEACH— A swimming advisory has been issued for an area of Carolina Beach due to an increase in bacteria levels.

On July 24, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality released a notice of a swimming advisory affecting the sound side of Masonboro Sound, at the end of Florida Avenue in Carolina Beach. A sign was posted in the area, alerting swimmers of the advisory. The notice only affects waters within 200 feet of the sign.

High levels of enterococci, a bacteria group found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, were detected in the water. While enterococci itself does not cause illness, their presence may indicate other disease-causing organisms. Swimmers in those waters risk developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections. Test results from water samples taken on July 22 and July 23 showed bacteria levels exceeding the state and federal action levels of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.

Erin Bryan-Millush, an environmental specialist at the DEQ, explained that the increase is generally associated with stormwater. Heavy rain runoff likely led to the spike, as it picks up pollutants and bacteria on its way to storm drains. 

According to the release, state officials will continue to test the site of the advisory and will remove the sign and notify the public when the bacteria levels decrease below the standards.


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