For Immediate Release
June 23, 2011
NO SWIMMING ADVISORY ISSUED FOR PORTION OF
LAKE NORMAN AFTER SEWAGE DISCHARGE
Cornelius, NC – A NO SWIMMING advisory has been issued today for a portion of Lake Norman
in Cornelius.
The NO SWIMMING advisory was issued after approximately 267 gallons of sewage discharged
to Lake Norman during the afternoon of June 21, 2011 at Town Harbour Road in Cornelius. The
spill was caused by a broken valve in a sewer line on Windy Point Drive off Town Harbour Road.
The discharge was stopped by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities and repairs to the lift station
have been completed.
Water samples collected by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services staff on June 22,
2011 revealed elevated bacteria levels at 300 colonies/100 ml. in the cove adjacent to Town
Harbour Road resulting in the issuance of this NO SWIMMING advisory. 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 Rusty.Rozzelle@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov