Oceana and Earth 911 offer information on how to protect coastal waters and which beach waters are clean.

Both of their websites, Oceana.org and Earth911.org post weekly Internet updates of pollution levels in waters off every coastal North Carolina county.

Jackie Savitz, director of an anti-pollution campaign organized by Oceana, said the information is tied to fecal coliform bacteria levels detected by state inspectors. If the bacteria is found in the water, this means the waters have been polluted by human or animal waste. This waste can make people sick.

Officials expect to use another method for testing enterococcus bacteria by the end of the summer. Federal officials feel this new test is more effective in telling about waste levels in the water.

North Carolina doesn't close its beach waters if unhealthy bacteria levels are found but the state will post warnings for swimmers.