Swimmers were turned away from the South Point Access Park swim beach in Belmont after routiyesterdayne water testing showed elevated levels of E. coli, prompting Gaston County to close the area. County officials say the swim beach will stay closed until follow-up lab work confirms the water is safe again.
In a public notice, Gaston County said routine sampling on July 16 found high E. coli counts at the South Point Access swim beach and confirmed that the closure will remain in effect until tests show safe levels, according to Gaston County.
Local station WBTV reported that officials shut the beach as soon as the test results arrived and that Pace Labs, which handles water sampling for the park, was expected to deliver confirmatory results on Friday, July 17. WBTV also reported that other parts of South Point Access Park, including the boat ramps and trails, remain open to visitors.
What E. coli Levels Mean for Swimmers
E. coli is used as a marker for fecal contamination in the water and can point to germs that cause stomach, skin and ear infections. The federal recreational water quality criteria published in 2012 set benchmark values, including a geometric mean near 126 E. coli colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters and a single-sample beach action value around 235 CFU per 100 milliliters, that health officials use to decide when to post advisories or close beaches, according to the EPA. Local groups such as the Catawba Riverkeeper test South Point weekly and publish results on Swim Guide, which flags sites when readings exceed safety thresholds.
What to Watch For and Where to Get Updates
If you recently swam at South Point and later develop diarrhea, fever, vomiting, or irritation of the skin or ears, you should contact your health care provider. The state also advises people to avoid swallowing lake water and to rinse off after swimming, according to NCDHHS. Gaston County says it will post updates and any reopening notice on its website as lab results are returned, and residents should check the county page for the latest information.
