Through the Swim Guide website and app, you can easily track your favorite spots and get directions to water areas in your community.
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Department of Environmental Quality
You can also find water quality data and swim advisories directly on The Department of Environmental Quality’s website. The DEQ monitors recreational water quality at 213 sites in NC, many of which are in our watershed.
Waters are tested for enterococcus bacteria, which is an indicator organism found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, transported through feces. The presence of enterococcus does not necessarily cause illness, but can be correlated with disease-causing pathogens. Excess nutrients also associated with fecal contamination can cause algae blooms and fish kills. |
Sources of enterococci in recreational waters include:
Sewage, wastewater treatment malfunctions, agricultural runoff, improper manure applications, storm water, domestic animal and wildlife waste, boat waste dumping, polluted groundwater, soils, sediments, and sands. Ways to reduce bacterial contamination: - Always pick up after your pet.
- Maintain septic tanks.
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Follow boating sewage regulations.
- Wash your car at commercial car washes to reduce runoff.
- Install rain barrels and other methods of runoff control.
- Protect wetlands that filter pollutants.
- Reduce impervious surfaces.
- Advocate for wastewater system improvements.
- Support local farmers practicing sustainable animal agriculture.
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