Water quality swimming alert issued in New Hanover Co.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A spokesman with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued a water quality alert for a sound site in New Hanover County.

The alert affects waters in Banks Channel at the swimming beach south of the Coast Guard Station in Wrightsville Beach, a news release said. Higher than state and federal standard levels of enterococci was found in the water.

Officials say people swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standards have a risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.