From beaches, lakes, or rivers, the Swim Guide is an online map that shows you areas that are safe for water recreation and those unsafe due to bacteria levels or pollution.
How the Swim Guide Works
Polluted water can lead to waterborne illnesses. That’s why it’s important to have current and accurate data: to protect both water and people. If the water exceeds the federal safety standards of safety the water area is considered unsafe for recreation and noted with a red icon. However, if the water is safe, it is marked with a green icon, meaning it’s safe to use.
our content.
Through the Swim Guide website and app, you can easily track your favorite spots and get directions to water areas in your community.
You can also find water quality data and swim advisories directly on The Department of Environmental Quality’swebsite. The DEQ monitors recreational water quality at 213 sites in NC, many of which are in our watershed.
Waters are tested for enterococcus bacteria, which is an indicator organism found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, transported through feces. The presence of enterococcus does not necessarily cause illness, but can be correlated with disease-causing pathogens. Excess nutrients also associated with fecal contamination can cause algae blooms and fish kills.
Sources of enterococci in recreational waters include:
Coastinista 