OCEAN
WATER MONITORING
 A
primary concern for beach water quality is the concentration of indicator
organisms such as Enterococcus sp.. These indicator organisms
serve to denote the possibility of fecal contamination and related
pathogens. In a US EPA Study,
Enterococcus Bacteria has been found to be the best indicator in
marine waters and is recommended by the EPA. In an EPA study, increased
concentration of enterococcus bacteria correlated with increased illness
of swimmers. This correlation has been used by the EPA to set
concentration limits of Enterococcus Bacteria in marine waters.
 In
1997, a SC DHEC Sponsored
Workgroup initiated a study to reevaluate the quality of marine bathing
waters in South Carolina. This was the first bacteriological
marine bathing water quality study since 1982. Ninety-five percent
of the study was performed for the government entities of Horry and
Georgetown County. The cities of North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle
Beach, Horry and Georgetown Counties and Towns of Surfside Beach
and Pawleys Island contracted with the Environmental Quality Lab
to perform
this work.
 Since
the completion of this successful cooperative venture the EQL has
worked with the cities of North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach,
Horry County
and Towns of Surfside Beach and Briarcliffe to weekly monitor the
Ocean water quality each summer. The EQL has also monitored
the ocean water quality every week since August 5, 1997 for the
city of Myrtle
Beach to determine the baseline concentration of Enterococcus Bacteria
in ocean waters. |
