News Summary
After recent heavy rainfall, Charleston’s coastal waters are experiencing high levels of bacteria, raising health concerns for beachgoers and swimmers. The Charleston Waterkeeper recommends avoiding swimming for 48 hours post-rainfall. Water quality reports indicate increased Enterococcus bacteria at popular swimming spots, prompting advisories, while some beaches remain safe. Efforts are ongoing to improve water quality, including substantial state funding for cleanup projects. The community is urged to stay informed and cautious regarding water activities to ensure safety.
Charleston – Following recent heavy rainfall and lowered tides, Charleston’s coastal waters are experiencing elevated levels of bacteria, raising health concerns for swimmers and beachgoers. The Charleston Waterkeeper organization has advised the public to avoid swimming for at least 48 hours after rainfall to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria.
A water quality report published on June 6, 2025, revealed significantly higher levels of Enterococcus bacteria at multiple popular swimming locations throughout the area. Several specific areas have been identified as having particularly high bacteria levels, including:
- Filbin Creek at Hendricks Park
- Three sections of Shem Creek
- Portions of Hobcaw Creek
- Portions of James Island Creek
While some areas of Hobcaw Creek near its mouth are considered safe for swimming, caution is still advised upstream, particularly around the I’on area. Similarly, James Island Creek has been rated safe near Harbor View but should be avoided near Folly Road where high bacteria counts have been recorded.
Fortunately, not all local waters are affected. Popular beach destinations that remain safe for swimming include:
- Folly Beach
- Sullivan’s Island Beach
- Isle of Palms
- Charleston Harbor
- Daniel Island Waterfront
- The Cove in Mount Pleasant
- Clark Sound
- Folly River
- Sol Legare
The Charleston Waterkeeper has created a Swim Alert map accessible online to help residents and visitors stay informed about water quality conditions. This resource is particularly valuable following heavy rainfall, which can wash pollutants into the waterways, causing spikes in bacterial levels.
A study conducted in 2024 revealed that 34% of water samples collected in the region did not meet the state standards for safe recreational use. Long-term data indicates that Shem Creek, James Island Creek, and Filbin Creek regularly exhibit high bacteria levels. Notably, James Island Creek shows a 10% improvement in compliance with the bacteria level test compared to last year, yet it still fails to meet the standard 70% of the time.
In response to these issues, the state budget has allocated over $1 million to clean up James Island Creek since 2022. Efforts to improve water quality include various projects such as replacing septic tanks and conducting extensive monitoring of local creeks and rivers. Charleston Waterkeeper is also advocating for the declaration of Filbin Creek as “impaired,” which would trigger a state-approved cleanup plan.
Water quality monitoring is an ongoing effort, with biweekly assessments conducted at 122 locations along South Carolina’s beaches for Enterococci bacteria. Short-term swimming advisories are issued when two consecutive water samples exceed the safe limit for bacteria levels. Environmental officials warn that swimming in natural water bodies can carry health risks related to potential exposure to dangerous bacteria and viruses, particularly after rainfall.
As heavy rains have a direct correlation with elevated bacteria levels, the community is urged to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging in water-related activities to ensure public health and safety.
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Water Quality Report Tracks Persisting Bacteria Hotspots
- Post and Courier: Charleston Water System Harbor Quality
- Count on 2: High Bacteria Levels Found in Charleston Area Waterways
- ABC News 4: Tropical Storm Debby Impacts Lowcountry Water Quality
- The Daniel Island News: Charleston Waterkeepers Begin Monitoring Swim Water Quality
- Wikipedia: Water Quality
- Google Search: Charleston Water Quality
- Google Scholar: Charleston Water Quality Monitoring
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Quality
- Google News: Charleston Water Quality News
