According to a recent article form the Wilmington Star, the town of Wrightsville is working on a ban to keep boats from discharging human waste into the ocean. When I read the article, I felt gross all over, and a little sick from all the times I've jumped into the ocean. I know the water is massively diluted, but still—EWWWWWW.

Here's my favorite part of the article:

"Town officials want to prohibit boaters from dumping waste from their onboard toilets into public waters around the town.  They suspect it's one of the reasons for deteriorating water quality in Banks Channel."

Uh, ya think? I'd venture to guess that dumping human waste (treated or untreated) into a waterway is going to cause deteriorating water quality. And if you're headed out that way for a Labor Day vacation, be cautious:

"Water quality problems in Banks Channel are nothing new. Swimming advisories are a regular occurrence there. Banks Channel has had six swimming advisories posted in the past year because of high bacteria levels, according to the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program.

That high bacteria count is an indicator for organisms that can cause gastrointestinal and skin problems."

I think I'll stick to the shore for now.