Lake Wheeler beach closed for fourth time in August

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County environmental officials closed the beach at Lake Wheeler for the fourth time in August after finding elevated bacteria levels Thursday.

Routine tests showed levels of enterococci and E. coli bacteria exceeded standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Those bacteria can cause infections and lead to diarrhea.

Levels of enterococci should not exceed 60 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 milliliters, while E. coli shouldn't exceed 235 cfu. Tests found 95.9 cfu of enterococci and 344.8 cfu of E. coli.

The closure bans any activity in which a person's head goes underwater, including kayaking, Sunfish sail boating and wind surfing lessons. The city always prohibits swimming at Lake Wheeler.

Fishing, water skiing, tubing and other boat rentals are still permitted.

The beach will remained closed until bacteria levels meet EPA standards for two straight days.

Wake County closed the beach at Lake Wheeler due to elevated bacteria levels three times earlier this month.

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Latest Comments

i guess i should not have flushed...

ProzacDispenser
August 27, 2009 3:11 p.m.

sounds like local septic runoff issues...

chargernut69
August 27, 2009 2:06 p.m.

This is a lake, not a sewage settlement pond, right ???

Ol Forrester
August 27, 2009 12:37 p.m.

They need to post a sign to stop peeing in the lake too.

BottomLine
August 27, 2009 12:25 p.m.

If people want to swim in bacterial soup, who is gov't to get in their way?...trying to protect society? Gov't needs to stay out of our lives - for instance, some of us like used hypodermic needles washing up on the beach.

;-)