NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Last week a swimming advisory went into effect for part of Banks Channel, due to high levels of bacteria. Today, the state lifted the warning after testing showed water returned to normal levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards.
The affected area included the public access off Waynick Boulevard between Snyder and Seashore streets in Wrightsville Beach. Samples fell below the measured 35 enterococci (bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals) per 100 milliliters of water — “the standard for high-use sites” for the EPA.
As such, signs advising the public to not swim, ski or submerge in the water have been removed. Swimming in water with high levels bacteria mean individuals run the risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program samples 215 sites in coastal waters of the state weekly basis from April through October.
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