As families prepare for Labor Day beach trips, health officials are warning swimmers to be cautious along North Carolina’s coast. Nearly 10 recreation sites recently failed water quality testing for fecal bacteria, and five coastal locations in three counties remain under swim advisories after bacteria levels exceeded state and federal safety standards.

Warnings and Health Risks

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality reported that contaminated sites include parts of Bogue Sound near Morehead City in Carteret County. Officials advise swimmers that entering the water at these locations could increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness, rashes, or infections. Cloudy, discolored, or foul-smelling water often signals unsafe conditions.

Similar concerns extend beyond North C

See Full Page