May 16, 2003

NO SWIMMING ADVISORY ISSUED FOR COVE ON LAKE NORMAN AFTER SEWAGE DISCHARGE

Charlotte, NC - A NO SWIMMING advisory has been issued for a cove off Coveside Lane and Peninsula Club Drive on Lake Norman after a sewage discharge was detected at a private residence.  The Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program (MCWQP) and the Mecklenburg County Health Department issued the advisory on Friday, May 16, 2003, for a cove adjacent to 18825 Coveside Lane in the Peninsula community in Cornelius. 

The "no swimming" advisory was issued after an unknown volume of raw sewage was discharged from a private residence to Lake Norman.  The discharge was discovered on Friday, May 16, by MCWQP. Actions have been taken to eliminate the discharge and repair the failing sewer system. 

Water samples were collected today by MCWQP and sampling will be ongoing until levels of fecal coliform bacteria fall below 200-colonies/100 ml, which is the level determined to be safe for swimming. The affected swimming/beach areas have been posted with "no swimming" signs and buoys for the duration of the advisory.

MCWQP Manager Rusty Rozzelle said the advisories are standard procedure. "It was necessary to close the areas to recreation because of the potential risk to human health as Lake Norman is designated as recreational waters," said Rozzelle.