Charleston Grapples with Water Quality Issues Following Severe Storms

Charleston Faces Water Quality Challenges Amid Recent Storms

Charleston residents, it seems like our waterways are facing some ongoing struggles as we deal with the aftermath of stormy weather. Reports indicate that several local waterways have been testing at high levels of dangerous bacteria since late last year, and the recent storms have only made matters worse.

Filbin Creek and James Island Creek in the Spotlight

Let’s take a closer look at Filbin Creek in North Charleston. Located near an old paper mill that’s been out of commission for years, this creek has consistently shown readings that alarm many – often more than twice the state’s water quality standards. The latest tests have revealed numbers that are, quite frankly, shocking: readings have spiked to more than 150 times what’s considered safe.

Across town at James Island Creek, storm systems like Hurricane Debby pushed the bacteria levels even higher, hitting over 240 times the state’s standard. What’s to blame? The main troublemaker is enterococcus, a type of fecal bacteria that can lead to various health issues such as gastrointestinal illnesses, skin rashes, and infections.

Understanding the Impact of Storms

“Stormwater is just gross,” shared a water quality specialist, and she’s not wrong. The heavy rains that accompany storms often lead to sewer overflows, which contribute to the harmful conditions in our waterways. Cheryl Carmack, the specialist in question, explained that while typically in the spring the cooler water leads to lower bacteria levels, summer rains followed by cooling temperatures yield unexpected spikes in contamination.

A Glimpse Into the Testing Process

Charleston Waterkeeper conducts regular testing at 20 different sites in the area from spring to fall. Interestingly, only four of these sites regularly fail to meet pollution standards. This inconsistency points out problem areas like Filbin Creek, parts of James Island Creek, and Shem Creek that have remained above safety limits for years.

Healing these waterways is no overnight job. “It just takes so long,” Carmack lamented, emphasizing that while she’s seen some progress in her 12 years of involvement, there’s still a long way to go. The push for improvement is further challenged by increased development and urban sprawl, which lead to lots of concrete surfaces that don’t soak up rainwater. Instead, this runoff carries trash and even septic waste right into our creeks.

Education and Community Engagement

In light of these challenges, efforts continue to educate the community about pollution, particularly the impact of pet waste. Signs around spots like Shem Creek illustrate these messages with relatable visuals, such as a person kayaking, to drive home the risks associated with our local waterways.

Since 2013, data from Charleston Waterkeeper’s Swim Alert project has helped secure over $1 million in funding aimed at cleaning up various local waterways. Excitingly, James Island is transitioning away from septic systems to a better sewer system, which should significantly reduce the bacteria levels in local waters.

Patience and Progress

Efforts are also underway in areas like Mount Pleasant, where town-led initiatives to clean storm drains are proving effective on Shem Creek. As Carmack wisely noted, “You just have to be patient.” While it can be frustrating to see little change in the short term, movements to mark sites as impaired lead to corrective action in the long run. The testing conducted by the Swim Alert project lets residents know when and where it’s safe to swim.

For now, it’s all about monitoring, educating, and slowly but surely working towards cleaner waters for Charleston. Keep those swims in mind, but it’s wise to check those bacteria levels first!