News

Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman paid visits to both the north and south sides of the Pamlico River this week, following up on two sites that showed troubling bacteria trends toward the end of the summer.

For much of the summer, Sound Rivers’ weekly water-quality testing showed Havens Gardens in Washington at the Runyon Creek Wildlife Resources boat ramp failed to meet recreational water quality standards. Midsummer, water samples from Cotton Patch Landing on Blounts Creek also began consistently showing very high levels of fecal bacteria.

At the time, Katey narrowed down a potential source in Runyon Creek — a small tributary on the western side of the creek, upstream from the Swim Guide site. Reaching out to the City of Washington, she learned the city had identified a broken sewage line and made repairs.

According to the Katey’s results on Wednesday, the issue looks like it’s been resolved.

“All the samples I collected Tuesday met recreational water quality standards, so that’s some good news this week,” she said.

Blounts Creek at Cotton Patch Landing also had good results. The source of this summer’s pollution remains unclear, but Katey said she will continue to sample at the location.

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