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Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This series of caches will detail portions of the State's Ocean
Water Quality Monitoring and Notification program. This beach site
is sample location 'WAC-004' in the program and this cache will
detail the program's overview to help you better understand it:
OVERVIEW
South Carolina’s bathing beaches are important components of
the state’s tourism industry. The South Carolina Department
of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), in conjunction with
local governments, regularly monitors coastal beaches for the
bacterial indicator enterococci to assure residents and tourists
that the water is safe for water contact activities. This is a
naturally occuring bacteria which only becomes an issue to public
health in elevated concentrations. The goal of this program is to
allow the public to make informed decisions concerning recreating
in waters presenting a potential for adverse health effects.
HEALTH RISKS
The most common problem from swimming in potentially contaminated
ocean water is acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea from accidental
ingestion. While respiratory and other infections are possible, the
likelihood of acquiring such potentially serious pathogens as
Salmonella typhi and poliovirus is extremely low to non-existent in
U.S. coastal waters. Most illnesses associated with swimming are
neither protracted nor life threatening, but they can result in
discomfort, inconvenience, and potentially significant direct and
indirect medical costs.
No studies have been conducted on South Carolina ocean water to
relate bacterial densities with actual incidence of swimmer
illness. Although not everyone will become ill after swimming in
contaminated water, the risk of illness has been correlated with
increasing bacteria densities.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Until 1980, DHEC collected water quality samples from the surf.
There were 19 stations: 16 in the Grand Strand area; and one each
at Folly Beach, Sullivans Island, and Isle of Palms. Samples were
collected once per month during the months of May through October.
A review of the data collected for the final 5 years of sampling
shows no indication of violations of the State water quality
standard for swimming. When DHEC stopped sampling the surf
stations, there were new initiatives to monitor nonpoint source
pollution statewide, and resources were focused there. While the
surf data were useful for determining overall water quality, they
were not useful for advising swimmers, due to the monthly sampling
protocol.
Between 1991-1993, the United States Geological Survey monitored
Withers Swash in Myrtle Beach, tributaries to it, and the ocean
near the swash for fecal coliform bacteria. The study showed
increased levels of bacteria during wet weather periods. The
monitoring in the ocean was limited, but did not show a persistent
problem. Bacteria concentrations were elevated in the surf at the
immediate output of Withers Swash, but were at acceptable levels
70- 100 feet on either side of the Swash. This showed a dilution
and dispersion of the storm water and its contaminants.
During the summer of 1996 there was increased interest by DHEC in
the water quality of South Carolina's ocean beaches, especially in
the Grand Strand area. In 1997, DHEC, in conjunction with several
local governments, conducted a study to determine levels of
bacteria in the ocean water of South Carolina beaches under varying
site and environmental conditions. DHEC used this data and
experience to develop a model sampling plan. However, due to the
logistics of sampling, holding times for samples, laboratory space,
and funding, DHEC could not carry out the model plan.
In 1998, the South Carolina General Assembly allocated
non-recurring funds to DHEC for ocean water quality monitoring.
These funds were used to carry out the sampling plan established by
the 1997 study for Region 6 (Horry and Georgetown counties).
Routine monitoring in Regions 6, 7 and 8 began in 2000 and has
continued each year to present with slight modifications.
BEACH ACT
In October 2000, the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal
Health (BEACH) Act was signed into law, amending the Clean Water
Act. In part, this amendment allows the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to award grants to assist state and local governments
in developing and implementing monitoring and public notification
programs for coastal waters. To date, South Carolina has received
grant monies for fiscal years 2002 through 2009. This grant money
has allowed South Carolina to continue to carry out a comprehensive
monitoring and notification plan despite severe budget restraints.
As a condition of these grants, DHEC has implemented a risk-based
monitoring and public notification program that is consistent with
performance criteria published by EPA under the act.
Today, DHEC samples at 125 sample sites along the South Carolina
coast. 43 are in Horry County and 11 in Georgetown County with the
balance found in the southern counties of the State.
Info about the cache series: Each cache in the "WAC" series
will have items pertaining to the State's "Stay Well in the Water"
program or in the case of WAC-034, items from the Town of Surfside.
Feel free to take one from each cache and I'll try to keep them all
stocked with different items. Also, each cacher that logs finds at
all four caches in the series will get a special "Stay Well in the
Water" totebag! (One per family of cachers, please). Check out all
four, learn the background and facts and become educated so you can
help educate others!
For further information check out the rest of the caches in the
series:
WAC-019: Permanent Signs and Advisories
WAC-034: Math Modeling and Future Projects
WAC-041: Tier Classification System and Sampling Procedure
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre gur unys cvcr