Twenty sites on lower Neuse and Tar-Pamlico fail weekly swim guide

WASHINGTON, N.C. (WITN) - The weekly swim guide put out by the non-profit Sound Rivers shows 20 sites on the lower Neuse and Tar-Pamlico failed to meet recreational water-quality standards.

On the Neuse, Highway 11 Boat Ramp and Oak Bluff Road in Kinston, Glenburnie in New Bern, Slocum Creek in Havelock, and Pierce Creek in Oriental failed the Swim Guide test. On the Tar-Pamlico, Lake Royale’s Pavilion beach, Pavilion lawn, Clubhouse/Sagamore boat dock, Clubhouse/Sagamore beach, Moccasin dock/Cypress Creek and Crows Landing, Rocky Mount’s Sunset Park, Battle Park and the Tar River Reservoir, River Road in Tarboro, Town Common in Greenville, Washington’s downtown waterfront, Havens Gardens and Dinah’s Landing at Goose Creek State Park, and Cotton Patch Landing in Blount’s Creek also failed.

Port Terminal in Greenville, Bonner Point in Bath and Wright’s Creek in Belhaven were not tested this week.

“Heavy downpours producing bacteria laden stormwater runoff are likely the cause for the high bacteria levels seen along the lower Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers this week,” said Clay Barber, Sound Rivers’ program director.

A “Swim Guide fail” means elevated levels of fecal bacteria, which can come with increased risk of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections for pets and humans alike.

“When a site fails, you need to be smart about recreating on the water — don’t go into the water if you have any open wounds and don’t put your head under water if you do go in,” Barber said.

Swim Guide is an international water-quality program conducted locally by Sound Rivers, an environmental nonprofit whose mission is to keep North Carolina’s waterways fishable, swimmable and drinkable.