Dangerous Pollution Problem Plaguing S.C. Beaches
Per Julia Shumway’s recent article, it is great to see bipartisan support to begin addressing the problem of microplastics in our waterways.
Here’s another pollution problem plaguing South Carolina beaches that deserves more attention from our congressional leaders: fecal contamination.
Fecal bacteria in coastal waters is more common than most people think.
According to a new report by our research partners at Environment America Research & Policy Center, 74% of South Carolina beaches tested last year had potentially unsafe bacteria levels on at least one day — including Folly Beach and beaches on Hilton Head Island, Sullivan’s Island, and Kiawah Island. Sections of Myrtle Beach exceeded a safety threshold for nasty bacteria multiple times.
The beach safety threshold used in the report is a level of fecal indicator bacteria associated with 32 illnesses per 1,000 swimmers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pathogens continue to be a problem at our beaches this year.
Earlier this month, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services issued a swimming advisory for a section of the beach on Edisto Island due to unsafe levels of fecal bacteria. In May, the agency issued similar advisories for sections of Pawleys Island and Debordieu Beach.
Scientists estimate 57 million instances of people getting sick each year in the United States from swimming in polluted waters. Those illnesses can include nausea, diarrhea, ear infections and rashes. The majority of these illnesses go unreported, so most people are unaware of how big of a problem this is.
Common sources of this fecal bacteria are deteriorated sewage systems and stormwater runoff. Leaky or overflowing pipes allow raw sewage to enter local waterways where people like to swim and fish.
For example, earlier this year in Florence, South Carolina, more than 5,000 gallons of untreated sewage flowed into Jeffries Creek, prompting officials to issue swimming and fishing advisories. Similarly, in the town of Chapin this past May, two overflows in the span of five days let a combined 120,000 gallons of sewage leak out into an inlet of Lake Murray.
According to local environmental group Congaree Riverkeeper, the City of Columbia had 85 sewer spills that amounted to more than 1 million gallons last year alone.
When sewage overflows into creeks, rivers, and streams, it can end up getting washed into coastal waters, putting beachgoers at risk.
With the increased frequency of extreme weather events, bacteria pollution could get a whole lot worse. Heavy precipitation could place an extra strain on outdated wastewater systems, causing further overflows and malfunctions.
Fortunately, we know how to solve these problems. Repairing and upgrading wastewater systems can dramatically reduce contamination in the places where we love to go swimming. The federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund was created to help local governments like Florence, Chapin, and Columbia make these projects a reality.
Unfortunately, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund is not currently getting the funding it needs.
The EPA estimates that the U.S. needs at least $630 billion over the next 20 years in order to upgrade wastewater systems and keep our waterways safe. But current funding for the revolving fund covers less than 20% of this annualized need.
And that may be about to get worse.
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee in Congress approved providing $1.21 billion for the revolving fund in fiscal year 2026. The spending proposal represents a $430 million cut compared to this year’s allocation of $1.64 billion.
South Carolinians should not have to risk coming into contact with raw sewage when they go swimming, fishing, or boating at their favorite lake or beach.
Our communities need the resources to fix their wastewater systems and make our beaches safer.
Devon Bell is a summer associate at Environment America. She's a student at Tufts University, Class of 2026, majoring in environmental studies and international relations. She studies Mandarin and spent the spring of 2025 studying abroad in Shanghai, China. Originally from Austin, Texas, Devon is passionate about environmental policymaking.
