Cape Fear River swimming area contaminated

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Swimmers beware: county officials have deemed a popular Cape Fear River swimming site unsafe. Researchers say the waters are contaminated.

Researchers from UNCW found high levels of fecal bacteria in a popular swimming site in Castle Hayne.

The county posted warning signs at the site near the New Hanover, Pender County line.
Researchers say it’s either a leaky sewer pipe or the result of too many ducks in the area and polluting the waters.

Swimming in the water is still allowed but researchers say swimmers run the risk of getting sick.

Some residents who’ve swam in the area were surprised when they saw the signs Thursday.

Robert Canedy grew up near the swimming area. He said, “This is a poor man’s beach. They call it redneck beach or whatever. You know, we can’t go to Wrightsville Beach, or Carolina Beach or the beaches because they can’t afford the parking and all this. So they come here to enjoy themselves.”

Canedy, for one, says he’s upset over this. Researchers say if they can identify the source of the pollution, they can make the river safe to swim in by this summer.

The UNCW researchers testing the water said they warned the county about this months ago. Calls to the county health department have not been returned.