North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources water quality officials issued three swimming advisories for the waters of Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach Tuesday, Sept. 9.
The first was issued for the public access between Snyder and Seashore streets; the second, for the public access between Taylor and Bellamy streets; and the third, for the public beach access at the corner of Waynick Boulevard and Sunset Avenue.
A fourth advisory was also issued in Carolina Beach at the public beach access on Masonboro Sound at the end of Florida Avenue.
Enterococci bacteria levels in those waters were found to exceed state and federal thresholds at 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water for Tier 1 high usage sites.
Officials believe stormwater runoff from a recent heavy rainfall contributed to the high bacteria counts.
State officials posted signs at the sites to notify the public of the risks of swimming in these areas. The advisories are not a beach closing, nor do the advisories affect the entire Wrightsville and Carolina Beach areas. Swimming advisories affect water within 200 feet of the sign.
State officials will test the sites again today, and they will remove the signs and notify the public again when the bacteria levels decrease to levels below the standards.
