North Myrtle Beach Water Quality
Water Reporting & Warnings Explained
Everyone loves to go for a swim when they visit the beach, so naturally, the quality of the water you’re swimming in is a point of concern. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and Coastal Carolina University (CCU) are conducting regular ocean water quality tests and beach monitoring efforts to ensure that bacteria levels are safe for South Carolina beachgoers. The City of Myrtle Beach and it’s 60+ miles of surrounding beaches are regularly checked for high bacteria levels and although there are the occasional above-average levels detected (usually caused by stormwater runoff), federal standards for water quality are met 98% of the time and swimming advisories in the Myrtle Beach area are rare. In other words, South Carolina’s beaches are as inviting as ever!
What Exactly Are They Testing For?
Routine water quality tests are run from May 1st through October 1st on 120 areas of the South Carolina beach system, including many locations in and around Horry County and Myrtle Beach. The SCDHEC and CCU both run weekly tests on water samples looking for high levels of bacteria, specifically enterococci, and posting advisories as necessary to guarantee safe swimming conditions for the numerous visitors to the Grand Strand. The DHEC makes it simple to monitor swimming advisory areas online at https://gis.dhec.sc.gov/beachaccess/ with up-to-date information and recent test results, as well as historical data about specific locations.
What Causes High Bacteria Levels?
The most common cause of high bacteria levels is stormwater runoff that occurs after large rain storms. When more water falls than the earth can absorb, water will run off into the ocean causing a temporary rise in bacteria levels. The good news is, the churning currents and saltwater are excellent at cleaning the water and swim advisories are usually lifted within 24-48 hours. These higher than normal levels of bacteria are generally localized in proximity to a stormwater outfall also called a swash.
Does The Beach Close?
Absolutely not! Myrtle Beach is open for business, and even when a short-term swimming advisory is in place, it is still safe to visit the beach, collect shells, and even wade in the water. For those that want to go swimming, advisories are usually limited to a small area and are easily avoided by moving at least 200 feet from the posted area. Those with open wounds or a compromised immune system should take extra precautions, and everyone should avoid submerging their heads underwater or drinking the water, but otherwise there is little cause for concern.
Things You Should Know Before You Go?
- Regular testing by the SCDHEC and CCU ensure safe bacterial levels.
- Swimming within 200 feet of a swash or stormwater runoff is not advisable.
- Even when swimming advisories are posted, regular beach activities including wading are safe - this includes areas around stormwater runoffs. The beach is open for business!
- Higher than normal bacteria levels are rare and are generally caused by stormwater runoff.
- Temporary swimming advisories are generally lifted within 24 hours.
- Long-term advisories are issued at sites where, “where more than 10 percent of data collected for the past five years exceeds the recreational use standard for enterococcus bacteria,” according to DHEC.
- Water quality tests are available online at https://gis.dhec.sc.gov/beachaccess/
- Myrtle Beach offers over 60 miles of beaches, so it is easy to avoid a 400 foot stretch where a swimming advisory may be in effect.