ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As summer recreation season ramps up across Western North Carolina, state environmental officials are encouraging residents and visitors to check water quality conditions before heading to popular rivers and streams around Asheville.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality officially launched its annual recreational water quality monitoring season this week with a demonstration along the French Broad River in Asheville, where DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson joined staff in collecting water samples at Jean Webb Park.
The monitoring program tests for E. coli, a bacteria used as an indicator of fecal contamination in waterways. Elevated levels can signal a greater risk of gastrointestinal illness for swimmers, tubers, paddlers and others enjoying the water.
“Every summer people flock to our beautiful mountain streams to swim, raft or paddle, and we want them to have a fun, safe and healthy experience,” Wilson said in a statement. “Our recreational water quality monitoring program offers an online dashboard so that families can compare water quality in different rivers as they decide which beautiful stream to enjoy.”
The Western North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program was launched in 2019 by staff in DEQ’s Asheville Regional Office. Today, crews and program partners collect samples weekly from May through September at 71 locations across four river basins: the French Broad, Little Tennessee, Broad and Catawba rivers.
Samples are analyzed at DEQ’s Asheville laboratory, and results are posted online through a GIS mapping tool that allows the public to track water quality conditions at recreation sites throughout the region.
The effort comes as local riverkeepers report generally favorable conditions heading into the first full weekends of summer recreation.
The Green Riverkeeper reported Thursday that recent testing showed E. coli levels had dropped significantly following earlier rainfall, with all monitored sites passing water quality standards this week.
“Have fun out there!” the organization wrote in a social media update.
Farther north, outdoor recreation businesses along the Toe River also reported clear water and favorable swimming conditions. Officials with NC Outdoor Adventures said recent testing showed water quality was suitable for swimming and tubing, while reminding visitors that E. coli levels often increase after heavy rain due to runoff entering waterways.
The group also credited nonprofit organizations, including MountainTrue, for ongoing water testing and cleanup efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. Organizers said volunteers removed approximately 2.5 tons of debris from the river and continue monitoring remaining hazards.
Meanwhile, volunteers with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation collected samples Thursday from more than 60 popular swimming locations throughout the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. Test results are expected to be posted ahead of the weekend to help residents make informed decisions about where to swim and paddle.
While DEQ provides water quality monitoring data, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for issuing recreational health advisories when conditions warrant. Health officials also recommend avoiding swimming with open cuts or wounds, showering after recreating in natural waters and exercising caution after significant rain events, when bacteria levels are often higher.
Water quality results for many Western North Carolina recreation sites can be viewed through DEQ’s online monitoring dashboard throughout the summer season.