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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

O.K. To Swim in Cape Fear River

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The state has lifted its swimming advisory for a stretch of the Cape Fear River.

The Division of Water Quality issued a swimming advisory a week ago for the Cape Fear River from Wilmington to Keg Island.

The advisory came after a sewer pipe broke in Wilmington near the river. All in all nearly 4.8 million gallons of wastewater spilled from the River Road sewage pipe, half of that into the Cape Fear River.

State environmental health officials were concerned about bacteria levels and illnesses caused by untreated wastewater, such as diarrhea and skin infections.

Water quality tests conducted Tuesday show bacteria levels below state and federal standards for recreational use.