6 NC river sites fail tests for fecal bacteria this week, group reports

BATH, N.C. (WNCN) — Six river sites in North Carolina failed a weekly test for fecal bacteria, a group that monitors more than 50 sites across the state reported Friday.

Sound Rivers issues a report on various recreational areas of rivers in North Carolina after testing dozens each week throughout the summer.

For the week ending July 19, Sound Rivers said 23 sites in the central North Carolina region near Raleigh passed their tests for E. coli.

Elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water can bring an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections for pets and humans, the group says.

Four sites in the eastern part of North Carolina failed testing this week, Sound Rivers said.

The four sites that failed are:

• Havens Gardens in Washington on the Pamlico River
• Bonner Point in Bath — just off the Pamlico River
• Cotton Patch Landing on Blounts Creek, a Pamlico River tributary southeast of Washington
• River Road in Tarboro along the Tar River

Along the Neuse River, Slocum Creek southeast of New Bern failed the test this week — for an eighth week in a row. Officials with Sound Rivers have said a lengthy investigation revealed the likely source is failing septic systems.

Close to the coast along the Neuse River, Pierce Creek also failed water testing this week.

Sound Rivers said many tested areas have seen good results in the last few weeks.

“A lot of that has to do with the fact we haven’t had much rainfall, so keep in mind the heavy rains some areas are experiencing now can wash pollutants in the waterways,” the group said in their report Friday .

The testing by the group includes enterococci bacteria in salt water, Sound Rivers said.

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