Clean water report gives cape fear beachgoers peace of mind this summer

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY)– As beach season ramps us across the Cape Fear, a new water quality report is giving swimmers and surfers some peace of mind.

Every year, the Surfrider Foundation does a clean water report and goes to beaches across the country, including in the Cape Fear region.

Volunteers with the group’s Blue Water Task Force, collect and analyze thousands of water samples each year, checking for bacteria linked to sewage contamination and public health risk.

Samantha Burton is the Southeast Regional Manager for the foundation, and shares more on the results of the team’s finding.

“The great news is that we have not found any serious bacteria hotspots in the region. We’ve only ever seen low levels of bacteria since we’ve begun monitoring in the Cape Fear region,” said Burton. “That’s really great news, but we also want to highlight that water quality issues can pop up, especially after a storm.”

To check real-time quality conditions through the organization’s website.