Precautionary swimming advisory issued for Southport following wastewater discharge

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — State environmental officials have issued a precautionary advisory warning the public to avoid swimming along the Cape Fear River waterfront in Southport due to a recent discharge of untreated wastewater.

Officials say the discharge was caused by a combination of excessive rainfall and king tide flooding that overwhelmed the Bay Street wastewater pump station in Brunswick County.

According to the NCDEQ, Brunswick County Public Utilities responded to the overflow, using pump trucks to mitigate the problem until floodwaters receded and the pump station resumed normal operations. An estimated 17,000 gallons of untreated sewage entered the Cape Fear River as a result of the overflow.

Health officials warn that contact with contaminated water can cause adverse effects such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps and skin infections. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid swimming and bodily contact with water in the affected area until further notice.

State officials are continuing to monitor water quality and will lift the advisory once testing shows bacteria levels are within safe state and federal standards.