WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsHorry Co. leaders dispute dirty beaches report

Horry Co. leaders dispute dirty beaches report

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Horry County leaders are disputing a recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council Thursday, claiming the placement of three Grand Strand beaches has improved in the annual evaluation.

The report released Wednesday by the NRDC analyzed government data on beach water testing results at more than 3,000 beaches across the nation. Indicators of beach water quality, monitoring frequency and public notification of contamination were three top factors included in the report.

Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park and Springmaid Beach earned 1-star ratings on the report, but Horry County Stormwater Director Tom Garigen said the low ranking is actually good news for South Carolina.

"South Carolina's overall ranking improved from last year's NRDC report, jumping from 19th place to 8th," Garigen said in a prepared statement Thursday. "South Carolina's exceedance rate has dropped from 14 percent in 2005 to 4 percent in 2009."

A portion of the beach rankings, according to the NRDC report, specifically rely on the number of times an area fails to meet water quality health standards. The report reveals water quality is tested at Springmaid Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park and Surfside Beach once a week.

Myrtle Beach State Park, the council claimed, failed to meet water quality health standards in 15 percent of its tests, while the rate dipped to 10 percent in Surfside Beach and 9 percent at Springmaid Beach.

"As outlined in the NRDC report, South Carolina's testing protocol of intentionally sampling at storm water outfalls and swashes will result in increased rates of exceedance, compared to other states that do not follow this procedure," Garigen said.

The storm water director claims while a handful of tests did not meet outlined health criteria, the area's testing rates continue to outweigh a number of beaches across the nation -- including some in Florida.

"There are 13 counties in Florida with higher exceedance rates than Horry County," Garigen added. "There are 29 Florida beaches with exceedance rates greater than the highest beach in South Carolina - the Myrtle Beach State Park."

The highest exceedance rates reported in Florida were 73 percent, 71 percent and 55 percent.

NRDC officials said Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches affirms beach water across the nation continues to be the victim of high levels of contamination. Serious contamination, according to the report, has been cited as high levels of human and animal waste.

"Sewage and runoff pollution in our beach water is preventable," Jon Devine, senior NRDC water attorney, said. "With investment in cost-effective, smarter water practices that are available today, communities can tackle the most common sources of pollution lurking in the waves."

Horry County officials said they aim to combat high levels of contamination with the placement of permanent warning signs at beach swashes. The signs, according to officials, encourage residents and tourists not to swim near the various outfalls after high periods of rainfall.

Pre-emptive advisories, in addition, have been developed to warn swimmers of high bacteria levels.

"Use of these advisories provides immediate results rather than waiting 24 hours for the results of a test to determine that water quality was poor the previous day when the sample was taken," Garigen said.

Beaches joining some of the Grand Strand's top hot-spots include Nags Head, NC; Coney Island, NY; Front Beach, MS; and Dixie Belle Beach, FL.

Areas issued 5-star ratings in the 2010 report based on indicators of beach water quality include Laguna Beach, CA; the Gulf Shores Public Beach in Alabama, and the Lafayette Community Club Beach in Minnesota.

To read the complete report, click here.

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