Don’t swim in waters along North Carolina’s coast, state still warns

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina officials are still advising against swimming at the coast after Tropical Storm Debby hit the state this week, impacting water quality along beaches.

Before the storm hit, state recreational water quality officials advised against swimming for a large area of the North Carolina coast after the storm passed.

On Saturday, officials told CBS 17 that the no-swimming advice is still valid on beaches from the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk down south to the South Carolina state line

“The precautionary advisory will remain in place until samples collected are within a safe swimming standard,” said Erin Bryan-Millush, manager of the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program.

Heavy rains negatively impact coastal waters — through stormwater runoff that can contain elevated levels of harmful bacteria that drain into coastal surf, she said.

More than 10 inches of rainfall at the coast has caused street flooding along with overflowing waters into homes, businesses and yards.

“The sources of bacteria can vary and include failing septic systems, sewer line breaks and overflowing manholes,” Bryan-Millush said.

Some coastal towns are forced to pump flood water into the ocean or into streams that can easily reach beach areas.

The no-swimming advisory must remain in place 24 hours after such pumping has ceased, Bryan-Millush said.

On Saturday, Oak Island, Emerald Isle and North Topsail Beach were still pumping or are within 24 hours of having stopped, she said.

But simply waiting after the pumping ends is not enough, she said.

Water testing will then take place — likely on Monday and Tuesday.

Officials said, “depending on results we hope to begin lifting ocean-side waters (advisories) by Wednesday.”

Bryan-Millush said the no-swimming advisories will be lifted in part or as a whole when test results become available.

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