Ocean outfall pipes on the Outer Banks have been found to have high concentrations of bacterial contamination during and after storm events.

An aquatics center project ranked as the community’s top desired amenity, but it was not recommended to be prioritized due to its land and financial demands, according to a firm hired to complete a recreation needs assessment for Dare County.

Three people across the Outer Banks contracted Vibrio infections from open wound exposures to sound water in July, including two people who were hospitalized, according to area health officials.