Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches safe for swimming

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality reported May 17 that bacteria levels along Cape Hatteras National Seashore met state and federal standards for swimming. State recreational water quality officials tested ocean waters along parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore on May 16, in the areas of Rodanthe and Buxton. This comes after a news release last week advising the public to be aware of potential pollution from possible septic system failures at homes in the area where extreme high tides were present. According to the news release, the public should keep in mind any notifications about debris from collapsed homes before accessing the beach or swimming in the water.