BELMONT, N.C. – If you live in Belmont and were planning a trip to the water this weekend, you will need to change your plans. The beach at South Point Access Park is closed until further notice. Gaston County officials shut down the swimming area Thursday after routine weekly water testing rev ealed high levels of E. coli bacteria. Pace Labs retested the water Thursday. Those results are expected to come back Friday. While elevated E. coli levels can increase the risk of illness, the county reminds everyone that this bacteria does occur naturally in North Carolina lakes and rivers. ...read more read less