Cornelius, NC – A SWIMMING ADVISORY was issued on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 for a single cove on Lake Norman between Springwinds Drive and Peninsula Cove Lane in Cornelius (see attached map). It is being recommended that swimming not occur in this cove until further notice due to potentially elevated bacteria levels associated with a sewer leak.

The SWIMMING ADVISORY was issued after approximately 225 gallons of sewage discharged to the cove on Lake Norman during the afternoon of Sept. 16, 2011 due to a broken sewer line on John Connor Road in Cornelius. The discharge was stopped by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities shortly after being reported.

Water samples were collected by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services staff on Sept. 19, 2011. Sampling will continue until levels of fecal coliform bacteria fall below 200 colonies/100 ml, which is the level determined to be safe for swimming. When bacteria counts reach this level, the no swimming advisory will be lifted.

Rusty Rozzelle, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ Water Quality Program Manager, 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.

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Media Contact: Rusty Rozzelle Office: 704-336-5449 Rusty.Rozzelle@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov