News

Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop and water-quality intern Samantha Lewis were back on the Eno River this week to follow up with a second round of water sampling.

The good news is that samples collected from the five sites previously tested for E. coli showed bacteria levels well within recreational water-quality standards.

“We’re happy to share these results, which point to the resilience of our rivers even after significant floods and sewer spills. After weeks of high water and high bacteria levels, it’s a relief to be able to return to this beloved river and recreate again,” Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop said. “When we were out there on Wednesday, we saw a river that looks a lot clearer. The turbidity had decreased a lot, and water levels were back to normal, but it was clear that there was severe flooding.”

On July 8, the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal dumped 7.5 to 10.5 inches of rain in Hillsborough and surrounding areas, causing historic flooding on the Eno River, leading to the inundations of two pump stations, a wastewater treatment plant and manholes. More than 6 million gallons of untreated sewage flowed into the Eno in Hillsborough, which was topped by more than 7 million gallons flowing into Neuse just downstream in Durham.

Results from Sound Rivers’ first round of Eno River sampling on July 16 showed a polluted river — all five sites sampled had very high levels of E. coli.

Now the river seems to be on the way to recovery. This week, Riverkeeper Samantha and intern Samantha collected samples from the most upstream site at Eno River Brewing in Hillsborough to Penny’s Bend in Durham, close to the Falls Lake confluence.

“We collected samples in Hillsborough and Durham, at all places where people recreate — are mostly likely to be on, or in, the waters,” Riverkeeper Samantha said. “There’s been a lot of interest from tons of people about whether it’s safe to swim, and we’re glad to be able to provide this information to the people who love the Eno.”

Samantha said it’s a valuable role Sound Rivers, and other Waterkeepers, can step into.

“This is a good example of where we fill the gaps,” she said. “When our state agencies are unable to do this water sampling, we can step in and get that information and provide the community with assurances about where they can recreate.”

She said that along her sampling route, she ran across a state park employee, who informed her that Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area has reopened.

“They are diligently working to open the remaining parts along the Eno in the coming weeks,” Samantha said.

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