GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A popular recreation site in Goldsboro is among six locations on the lower Neuse that failed to meet recreational water quality standards this week following periods of heavy rainfall.
Sound Rivers reports that Old Waynesborough State Park in Goldsboro received a failing result in the nonprofit’s latest weekly Swim Guide testing.
Five other sites also failed: Brices Creek; Trent Woods; River Bend; the Pollocksville boating access on the Trent River; and Slocum Creek in Havelock.
“We’ve had some pretty heavy rains lately, so that means more bacteria is washing into our waterways,” said Sound Rivers Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz.
According to Sound Rivers, a “Swim Guide fail” indicates elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water. Exposure to elevated bacteria levels can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness and skin infections in both people and pets.
The results are particularly important for residents who may be planning to swim, kayak, fish or participate in other recreational activities at Old Waynesborough State Park and other waterways this weekend.
Swim Guide is an international water-quality monitoring program conducted locally by Sound Rivers, an environmental nonprofit working to keep North Carolina waterways fishable, swimmable and drinkable.
This summer marks the ninth year Sound Rivers has conducted Swim Guide testing in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds. Testing takes place weekly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Sound Rivers typically tests 18 sites along the lower Neuse, including Old Waynesborough State Park in Goldsboro, Lake Wilson, boating access areas in Kinston, Grifton and Vanceboro, and numerous locations around New Bern, Oriental and communities along the Trent River.
Lake Wilson, Maple Cypress and Lawson Creek Park were not tested this week.
Weekly results are released on Friday afternoons throughout the summer through Sound Rivers’ Swim Guide, local media and text alerts. Residents can receive the results by text by sending “Rivers” to 50155.
Sound Rivers has worked for more than 40 years to protect the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers and the communities that depend on them. The two watersheds cover nearly one-quarter of North Carolina.
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