High bacteria levels in local waterways after rain prompt swimming warning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Days of torrential rain left local rivers spilling over and dangerous debris in the water.

[RELATED: Good Samaritans wade into floodwaters to save trapped fawn in Caldwell County]

Channel 9 learned there were at least five sewage spills over the weekend caused by flooding.

One of them was at Mountain Island Lake, where over 100,000 gallons of wastewater were spilled.

At the Catawba River in Belmont, the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation sampled the waters Thursday to test for any harmful bacteria and found high levels of E Coli.

[ALSO READ: High bacteria levels prompt swimming advisory at North Myrtle Beach]

Officials are urging people to not swim in the Catawba River or the South Fork River north of Lake Wylie due to the uptick in bacteria from the recent rain.

Although people may not be able to physically see the bacteria, the murkiness can be an indication contamination.

Officials said water conditions should improve by next week.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

Cox Media Group