Swimming advisory lifted for Banks Channel

Test results of the water in Banks Channel came back Friday afternoon with undetectable amounts of bacteria.

Thursday tests showed higher than normal levels of an indicator bacteria called enterococci, which is typically found in the intestine of warm-blooded animals.

Water quality experts say the bacteria was due to the half-inch of rain that fell at Wrightsville Beach this week.

Even though the advisory was in effect for most of the day, it didn’t stop some people from having fun.

Kayaker Jim Lightbourne said, “Well it would affect us a little bit but we’re in kayaks so we don’t spend much time in the water, but I would like to learn more about the bacteria levels.”

This is the second time this year Banks Channel has been under a swimming advisory due to high bacteria levels. Last summer, areas of the channel were under advisory for nearly 100 days because of bacteria.