Latest news with #SwimGuide
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
12 North Carolina river sites fail fecal bacteria testing this week, group says
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Amid runoff from various storms in North Carolina this week, a dozen river swimming sites failed fecal bacteria testing, according to a group that samples more than 50 areas across the state each week. Sound Rivers' weekly Swim Guide report, released on Friday, found three sites in the Upper Neuse and nine sites in Tar-Pamlico and Lower Neuse watersheds that failed testing. 'These results are likely due to the rain we've seen lately, and the fact that all the bad stuff on land has gotten washed into the waterways,' Clay Barber, Sound Rivers' program director, said in a news release. Sound Rivers' staff test samples for E. coli in fresh water and enterococci in salt water and pass/fail results are released to the public, providing a quick way to check where it's safe to swim. A failing grade means elevated levels of fecal bacteria, which can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections for pets and humans, officials said. In the Upper Neuse area, the group said three sites failed this week: Clayton River Walk, Neuse Golf Club and Smithfield Town Commons. In the Tar-Pamlico watershed, just two sites failed this week. The failing sites were Port Terminal near Greenville and Yankee Hall Road – Pactolus. The vast majority of sites that failed this week were in the Lower Neuse watershed: Highway 11 boat ramp near Kinston Oak Bluff Road near Kinston Maple Cypress Boat Ramp Pollocksville Slocum Creek in Havelock Midyette Street in Oriental John Bond Beach in Oriental The Swim Guide is a water-quality program conducted locally by Sound Rivers, an environmental nonprofit based in Raleigh, New Bern and Washington, whose mission is to keep North Carolina's waterways fishable, swimmable and drinkable. This summer marks the eighth year of Swim Guide in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds. The sites are tested weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Is it safe to swim? Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's Swim Guide will give water quality reports
People enjoy taking a swim when the temperatures rise. But depending on conditions, taking a dip in your local body of water isn't always the healthiest bet. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is launching a swim guide this summer to let swimmers know which areas are safe and which areas to avoid. The guide includes maps with red or green lights to help people decide if their local waterways are safe for recreation. A red X indicates an area is high risk, with an E. coli level greater than 235 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A green checkmark indicates low risk, with an E. coli level less than 235 per 100 milliliters. The guide provides water quality updates for popular recreation spots, including Lake Lanier, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, West Point Lake and the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. 'We often get asked, 'Is it safe to swim here?'' says Jess Sterling technical programs director with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. 'There are a lot of misconceptions about water quality in the Chattahoochee River, so the goal of Swim Guide is to publish a resource about water quality conditions so the community can have fun on the river and be as safe as possible.' The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper will collect and analyze water samples every Thursday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They will publish a series of maps every Friday with water quality conditions on Facebook, Instagram and the Swim Guide website. Even with this advisory system, people should still be cautious about water quality. Conditions can change quickly, and samples are taken only once a week. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper says if it has rained in the last 48 hours, if the river is high and muddy or if the lake is bright green, think twice before coming into contact with the water. TRENDING STORIES: 'It changed me': Undocumented GA college student talks about being in ICE custody for 15 days Marietta tenants fear homelessness after learning apartment complex may be demolished Gwinnett Co. elementary school bus comes across ICE enforcement operation at mobile home park A high bacteria level in the water can contribute to cloudy water and unpleasant odors, the Environmental Protection Agency says, and is an indicator that the water has been contaminated by feces. It pays to be cautious. People who swim or come in contact with water with elevated levels of E. coli and other organisms can get sick, the EPA reported. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] People at higher risk for infections include children younger than 5, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper monitors water quality at more than 300 stream, river and lake sites all year on a weekly basis through the Neighborhood Water Watch program, available to the public on the Neighborhood Water Watch database.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. criticized for swimming in bacteria-contaminated Rock Creek with grandchildren
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Photos of a top Trump cabinet member are sparking controversy. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted photos on Mother's Day with his grandchildren swimming in Dumbarton Oaks Park. The National Park Service says it's dangerous and illegal. Dumbarton Oaks Park is serene. It's a great place to relax or exercise. 'I like to walk my dog here, and I like the environment here. But I never would go into the Rock Creek to swim,' said Stefan Jacoby. That's because it's been illegal since 1971. 'The reason it's illegal is because of the… e-coli issues from their combined sewer systems. And that's why they banned swimming in the D.C. area,' said Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks. Trump signs executive order aimed at slashing prescription drug costs But on Sunday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted photos of himself and his grandchildren in Rock Creek. One shows his granddaughter splashing water at him and another with RFK Jr. fully underwater. 'It's his own risk, and it is illegal, so it's insane that he's doing this,' said Stefan Jacoby. While it's illegal to swim or wade in D.C. waterways, the Potomac Riverkeeper Network does monitor conditions in Rock Creek and 30 other locations. Every Wednesday, they collect data and post the results on Thursday evening on the app Swim Guide, telling the public if a particular body of water is safe for human contact. 'I just wish the secretary had gone to that app and found out the conditions,' Naujoks said. 'But Rock Creek in general, over the past five years, has consistently failed to meet water quality standards for safe human contact.' MPD: Year to date violent crimes are down Naujoks said bacteria levels are particularly bad after it rains, as it did on Thursday. 'Bacteria levels, I mean, cause all sorts of problems for public health and particularly the kids being in the water,' Naujoks said. Many locals say they don't want to deal with the health consequences. 'There are signs all over the place saying sewer runoff. Don't get in. It's very clear. It looks very appetizing to swim in. But, you know, we know that there are dangers in there,' said Megan Wilson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
