Officials have issued a no-swim advisory for a section of Lake Norman after approximately 100 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the lake.
The leak occurred around 4:30 pm on Wednesday afternoon on Cricket Cove Court in Denver, prompting an immediate response from local health and utility agencies.
The Lincoln County Health Director announced the advisory soon after, warning residents and visitors to avoid recreational water activities in the affected area until further notice.
The spill was caused by a utility boring crew that accidentally struck a marked low-pressure sewer line. Authorities believe some of the sewage may have entered the nearby cove, posing potential health risks due to elevated bacteria levels.
In response, the Killian Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant began collecting water samples at the site and posted warning signs along the shoreline. The samples will be analyzed and forwarded to the Lincoln County Public Utilities Department, which will then coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the county health department to determine when the area is safe for swimming again.
Water activities will only resume once fecal coliform levels drop to levels deemed safe by state environmental standards. No injuries or illnesses have been reported as of Thursday morning, and cleanup operations are ongoing.
