A new report says the health of swimmers at many beaches in North Carolina was put at risk last year because of water contamination. A new report by Environment North Carolina says 127 beaches and waterways across the state had water pollution levels that put swimmers at risk of getting sick on at least one occasion. The report looked at fecal bacterial levels at 213 beaches across the state. Fecal contamination can cause gastrointestinal illness as well as respiratory disease, ear and eye infections and skin rash. The report said the average beach in Beaufort County was potentially unsafe for swimming on 28 percent of the days sampling took place. Craven and Pamlico Beaches were potentially unsafe on 17 and 10 percent of sampling days respectively. A press release from Environment North Carolina said runoff pollution and sewage overflows are the key culprits in most cases of contamination.
New Report says water contamination threatens health of beachgoers
