From North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

MOREHEAD CITY — State recreational water quality officials are alerting the public that initial testing at two sound-side sites in Beaufort County showed levels of bacteria exceeding the state and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality swimming standards.

One of the alerts affects waters at the public access to Pantego Creek at the intersection of East Main and Toole streets in Belhaven and the second affects the public access at the junction of upper Goose Creek and Dinah’s Landing near Washington. Samples collected Wednesday at both locations show levels of enterococci that exceed the state and federal single-sample standards.

State officials tested the site again Thursday, and the results of the sampling will dictate further action. If the new samples also show elevated bacteria counts, state officials will post a swimming advisory sign and issue a swimming advisory.

The N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program tests water quality at ocean and sound beaches in accordance with federal and state laws.

Enterococci, the bacteria group used for testing, are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. While it does not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that enterococci may indicate the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.

State officials sample 204 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.

To find out more about North Carolina’s beach water quality, visit the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program website at: portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-water-quality or on Twitter.com @ncrecprgm.