Is the water quality in Charlotte-area lakes safe for swimmers? Here’s what to know
Water activities on Charlotte area lakes seem endless during the warmer months.
Swimming is a popular activity among residents, but some incidents have prompted city officials to shut down certain areas of the water.
But there have been at least three sewage spills in Lake Norman over the past few months, including one caused by a Spectrum fiber contractor damaging an underground water line in Cornelius, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Last July, a swimming ban was issued for Paw Creek Cove in Lake Wylie after 850,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the Catawba River, the Observer reported.
In the event of a sewage or chemical spill, when a natural body of water is considered a public health threat, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services issues a swimming advisory to alert the public of unsafe water conditions, according to the department.
Here’s what you should know about swimming in Charlotte area lakes.
What is the water quality of Charlotte-area lakes?
Lake Use-Support Index (LUSI) scores -- which measure surface water quality -- are updated every other month and represent data collected from monitoring sites, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services.
Scores range from 0-100, with 100 indicating the best water quality, and are based on four categories that show the most important indicators of environmental health, including:
Bacteria: fecal coliform and e. coli
Metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead and zinc
Nutrients: chlorophyll A, nitrogen and phosphorus
Physical: temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen
Here are the average LUSI scores for each lake in the Charlotte area from March:
Lake Norman: 98.2
Lake Wylie: 93.2
Mountain Island Lake: 98.3
What are the dangers of swimming in lakes?
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, water quality in lakes is routinely monitored throughout Mecklenburg County, but it is impossible to know, at any given time, whether or not the water is safe for swimming.
Charlotte Water Public Affairs Manager Jennifer Frost said the water is generally safe to swim in, but cove closures -- which happen when the amount of bacteria in the water gets too high -- occur on occasion.
“Both Mountain Island Lake and Lake Norman are quite large,” Frost said. “They have a good amount of flow, and there’s really good turnover, so the water is good. It takes quite a bit for there to be any kind of negative impact on water quality.”
Frost explained that both lakes are regulated as recreational water, meaning any company that discharges into the water has to maintain certain standards so they are safe for public use. The lake is also monitored around the clock for changes in temperature, pH and conductivity, Frost said.
Natural bodies of water can contain organisms, including bacteria, amoebae and parasites, that can cause illnesses in humans, according to the N.C. Division of Environmental Health. Some of those illnesses include diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory infections and even wound infections.
Precautions swimmers should take
Swimmers should always monitor the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ Facebook and Twitter pages for swimming advisories, the department says.
Here are some other tips from NCDEH on how to stay safe in the water:
Avoid getting the water in your mouth.
Hold your nose shut or use nose clips so water doesn’t enter your nose.
Don’t dig in the sediment in shallow areas.
Don’t swim in lakes if you have open wounds or sores.
Shower after swimming in the water.
Treat any wounds you get while in or near the water.
Seek medical attention if you become ill or develop symptoms of an infection.
This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 1:38 PM.
