A small section of North Myrtle Beach has been placed under a swimming advisory, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
"The affected area includes 200 feet above and below 33rd Avenue South," said Sean Torrens of DHEC's Region 6 Environmental Quality Control office, which serves Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.
"High bacteria levels have been detected in this section of the beach, and swimming is not advised until bacteria levels return to normal," added Torrens.
DHEC officials say it's safe to wade, collect shells and fish within the swimming advisory area.
People with open cuts or other wounds should avoid contact with the water.
For more information about beach water quality, call DHEC's Region 6 EQC office at (843) 238-4378 or visit DHEC's beach monitoring webpage at: http://www.scdhec.gov/beach </beach>.
