Monitoring water quality along South Carolina’s shoreline

South Carolina and all other states with ocean-facing beaches monitor the quality of water to help detect elevated bacteria levels that have the potential to impact the health of bathers.  From May 1 through October 30, DHEC will collect either weekly or bi-weekly samples at more than 120 locations along South Carolina beaches, from Cherry Grove Beach near the North Carolina border to the southern end of Hilton Head Island.  If elevated bacteria levels are detected, the state health agency issues public notices at that beach location and to local media.  DHEC’s Bryan Rabon says, “A swimming advisory does not mean a beach is closed, it just means that this particular area of ocean water should be avoided until the bacteria levels return to normal.  Most short-term swimming advisories last just a single day.”