July 3, 2002

 

MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE: NO SWIMMING ADVISORY LIFTED

Charlotte, NC— The NO SWIMMING advisory for a portion of Mountain Island Lake has been lifted. The Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program (MCWQP) and the Mecklenburg County Health Department advises that the bacteria danger to swimmers has passed after a sewage spill on June 19, 2002.

— The advisory for a portion of Mountain Island Lake has been lifted. The Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program (MCWQP) and the Mecklenburg County Health Department advises that the bacteria danger to swimmers has passed after a sewage spill on June 19, 2002.

The advisory was issued for a 500-foot portion of shoreline in a cove near 11226 Johnson-Davis Road, off Neck Road in Mecklenburg County. An unknown amount of sewage spilled from a private septic tank system into the lake. After sampling the water shortly after the spill, the Water Quality Program detected elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria and imposed the "no swimming" advisory.

Water samples collected by MCWQP on June 28 and July 1 revealed that the levels of fecal coliform bacteria are now at acceptable levels. Sampling results revealed levels of fecal coliform bacteria less than 100 Colonies/100ml, well within the limits of safe swimming. Levels greater than 200 Colonies/100ml are considered unsafe for swimming.

Water Quality Program Manager Rusty Rozzelle said the advisory is a standard procedure. "Since Mountain Island Lake is designated recreational waters and so many people are swimming this time of year, it was necessary to close the area because of the potential risk to public health," says Rozzelle. "With so many people looking forward to swimming during the July 4th holiday, we are pleased that the levels dropped sufficiently to reopen the area to swimmers."