SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — State recreational water quality officials have lifted a swimming advisory for a sound-side recreational area in Brunswick County after recent testing showed bacteria levels have returned to safe levels for swimming and water activities.
The advisory, which had been in place since June 11, affected the public kayak launch in Cottage Creek at the end of West West Street in Southport. State officials issued the warning after water samples collected on June 9 and June 10 showed elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, exceeding the state standard of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water for recreational coastal waters.
New water samples collected on June 16 found bacteria levels below state and federal recreational water quality standards, prompting officials to remove the advisory and warning signs from the site…