NC RWQ Monitoring

The NC RWQ Program monitors nearly 240 recreational beaches throughout the state, collecting nearly 6,000 samples each year. The RWQ classifies beaches, via a three-tiered system, based on location and use (table below). Each tier designates the frequency and stringency of monitoring. Each sample is sent to a laboratory and analzed for the fecal indicator bacteria called enterococcus. This family of bacteria is not a threat to human health, but as the description implies, it is an indicator for the presence of other, potentially harmful, fecal bacteria. These bacteria, including enterococcus, are found in the waste of warm-blooded animals, such as pets, varmin, humans, and birds. When the waste from these animals is deposited in a watershed, such as a roof or lawn, stormwater runoff during the next storm event may tran sport the bacteria within this waste to a receiving waterbody, such as a lake, ocean, or stream, where swimmers often congregate. Once the concentrations of these bacteria are high enough, humans risk contracting various illnesses via contact with the contaminated waters. Therefore, when a sample concentration exceeds the established standards, the NC RWQ issues a advisory and posts warning signs near the sample area.

The NC RWQ monitoring sampling data, advisories, and testing sites are located on their website.

Results from the NC RWQ's monitoring between 2003 and 2009 showed evidence of potential bacterial contamination issues along the NC coast. During this period, nearly 1% - 3% of their samples exceeded the above standards annually. While these rates appear to be low, their impact was much larger as the lead to 2,951 days of swimming advisories, which averages out to be at least one swimming advisory every day of the year at at least one beach. This information is summarized in the following two tables.