For Immediate Release
September 19, 2011
SWIMMING ADVISORY ISSUED FOR PORTION OF
LAKE NORMAN AFTER SEWAGE DISCHARGE
Cornelius, NC – A SWIMMING ADVISORY was issued on Saturday, September 17, 2011 for
a small area of Lake Norman at the end of Peninsula Point Drive in Cornelius (see attached
map). It is being recommended that swimming not occur in this cove until further notice due to
potentially elevated bacteria levels associated with a sewer leak.
The SWIMMING ADVISORY was issued after approximately 985 gallons of sewage
discharged to Lake Norman during the afternoon of September 17, 2011 due to a broken sewer
line on Peninsula Point Drive in Cornelius. The discharge was stopped by CharlotteMecklenburg Utilities shortly after being reported.
Water samples were collected by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services staff on
September 19, 2011. Sampling will continue until levels of fecal coliform bacteria fall below
200 colonies/100 ml, which is the level determined to be safe for swimming. When bacteria
counts reach this level, the no swimming advisory will be lifted.
Rusty Rozzelle, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ Water Quality Program
Manager, said the advisories are standard procedure. "It was necessary to close the areas to
recreation because of the potential risk to human health as Lake Norman is designated as
recreational waters,” said Rozzelle.
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Media Contact: Rusty Rozzelle Office: 704-336-5449
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Rusty.Rozzelle@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Location of Swimming Advisory
Location of the Swimming Advisory Issued on Lake Norman