Swimming advisory lifted at Jockey’s Ridge access

State recreational water quality officials on Friday lifted the swimming advisory posted for the soundside access at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head.

The advisory was lifted because water testing showed bacteria levels have dropped below the state and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.

The advisory was posted Aug. 30 after testing showed a running monthly average of the bacteria enterococci above the EPA-mandated level of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water for high use sites.

Subsequent testing found levels have fallen below the standard, and the sign advising against swimming, skiing or otherwise coming into contact with the water has been removed.