During this week’s sampling, Sound Rivers has found that one of the sites in the Lower Neuse River and five sites in the Tar-Pamlico watersheds showed high levels of fecal bacteria. The bacteria tested for enterococci and E. coli can be found in salt water and freshwater, respectively, and are good indicators of recent fecal contamination. The levels of fecal bacteria at these sites exceeded the recommended state and federal criteria for a 100mL sample; 104 MPN for enterococci and 235 MPN for E. coli.

The sites showing high levels of bacteria include: Upper Broad Creek (Blackbeard’s Sailing Club) in the Lower Neuse and Port Terminal, Chocowinity Bay, Bath Creek, Broad Creek and the Pungo River in the Pamlico-Tar and Pungo rivers. It is recommended that recreational users avoid or practice caution at or near these sites, as there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections.

Sound Rivers is a nonprofit organization with a mission to monitor and protect the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River watersheds covering nearly one quarter of North Carolina, and to preserve the health and beauty of the river basins through environmental justice.

To find out more about water quality in your area, go to www.soundrivers.org/swimguide or text “SWIM” to 33222 for weekly water quality text updates.

This monitoring is made possible by support from Grady White Boats, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, Lenoir UNC Healthcare and other generous donors.