Bill one step closer to rid area waters of sewage

The EPA has moved one step closer to passing a ban that would help rid area waters of sewage.

The bill would prohibit boaters from dumping any human waste in coastal waters within New Hanover County. Currently, there are no such bans within the state of North Carolina.

If passed, the bill would require waste be disposed of in one of several waste-pumping stations within the county.

Recurring swimming advisories in Wrightsville Beach raised questions about the bacteria levels in the water.

A UNCW study on the water quality found that human waste contributed to the high levels of bacteria. Officials at the Department of Water Quality said it’s a ban they would like to see up and down the Carolina coast.

Marina owners said they would support the ban, but raise questions about how it would be enforced.