Beach Monitoring Program
Sampling Data - Click here |
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ADVISORY INFORMATIONSC DHEC routinely collects water samples at over 100 locations on South Carolina's beaches. If high numbers of bacteria are found, an advisory is issued for that portion of the beach. An advisory means that DHEC advises you to NOT swim in certain areas. This is especially true for young children and those with compromised immune systems. Advisories do not mean that the beach is closed. Wading, fishing, and shell collecting do not pose a risk. Advisories may be issued due to high bacteria counts or rainfall. Advisories are lifted when sample results fall below the limit of 104/100mL. Check the local newspaper and television news stations. Look for advisory signs when you go to the beach. |
Know before you go! |
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Potential Health Risks
Gastroenteritis is the most common illness associated with swimming in contaminated water. It occurs in a variety of forms that can have one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache and fever. Other minor illnesses that can result from swimming in contaminated water include ear, eye, skin, nose, and throat infections. Small children and individuals with weakened immune systems are most at risk of illness.
To stay safe and healthy at the beach:
Be aware of advisories and avoid swimming in those areas.
Wading, fishing and shell collecting do not present a risk since most exposures to pathogens occur by swallowing water. However, do not enter the water with open sores or lesions, high levels of bacteria may cause infection.
Do not swim or allow children to play in swashes or near stormwater pipes.
Although the shallow pools of water on the beach caused by swashes and stormwater seem like good places for children to play, they are NOT. These shallow pools are caused by runoff and often contain much higher levels of bacteria than the ocean.
Do not swim in the ocean during or immediately following
rainfall.
To further reduce risk of illness, wait at least 12 hours after a heavy rain to resume swimming. It is safe to wade in these areas at any time (except during a thunderstorm!). Heavy rain can wash bacteria and possibly harmful pathogens into the surf. High bacteria densities persist in the surf for hours after these rains and may increase swimmer's risk of illness.
Additional Resources
Report to EPA - May 2009 PDF
Ocean Water Quality Monitoring and Notification Program Booklet PDF
Quality Assurance Project Plan 2004 PDF
South Carolina Public Beach Access Guide PDF
EPA Beach Watch
EPA Kids Page
Centers for Disease Control - Healthy Swimming
NOAA Coastal Water Temperature Guide
Ocean Water Quality Sampling Sites
2009 Routine Sanitary Survey Tool
Program Contact
Shannon Berry, Program Coordinator (803) 898-3541
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us