Local

Vote on regulatory measures for Whitewater Center delayed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A final vote by the state House of Representatives in Raleigh on bill that would result in the state regulating the U.S. National Whitewater Center was delayed until Thursday.

State Rep. Bill Brawley, R-Mecklenburg, introduced the provision Tuesday afternoon as an amendment to House Bill 1074.

If the bill passes the House and Senate and is signed into law, it will be up to the state's Public Health Commission to establish regulations.

The effort comes after an 18-year old died from a brain-eating amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri, days after visiting the Whitewater Center.

Water samples tested from the center just last week showed the amoeba.

Channel 9 investigated and learned the only other two parks in the U.S. similar to the Whitewater Center are regulated by their state governments, Adventure Sports Center International, in Maryland, and Riversport Adventures, in Oklahoma.

The Whitewater Center has always operated on its own.

“I would like to think that the Whitewater Center would welcome [the regulation], because the biggest issue is they have to ensure as a private business that people feel safe and comfortable coming back,” state Sen. Joel Ford, D-Mecklenburg County, told Channel 9.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the Whitewater Center Wednesday and could see machines in the now-empty rafting area.

Because the amoeba is naturally occurring and the Whitewater Center is open to the environment, it could come back despite any new regulations.

"Am I concerned that we can't eliminate it completely?" Brawley said. "That's unfortunate. Do I think we could have eliminated it or controlled it better in the Whitewater center? Probably so."

A statement emailed to Channel 9 by the spokesperson for the Whitewater Center read, "North Carolina swimming pool standards do not call for the testing of Naegleria fowleri, and it is virtually unheard of to do such testing in any body of water."
Lawmakers also want to form a study committee to decide if more needs to be done to regulate water attractions like the Whitewater Center.

"We want to make sure that the long-term solution makes sense for these water recreation facilities," Brawley said. "One size fits all based on pools may not work."

Eyewitness News anchor Liz Foster asked Brawley how soon state regulations could be implemented at the Whitewater Center if the bill becomes law. He said as soon as the Public Health Commission establishes rules.
 
The state House and Senate reconvene Thursday.