SCDES encourages safe swimming in lakes, rivers, pools and more as summer season approaches

As South Carolinians head outdoors to cool off this summer, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) encourages residents and visitors to make water safety a priority while enjoying pools, lakes, rivers, beaches and hot tubs.

In recognition of Healthy and Safe Swimming Week — observed annually the week before Memorial Day — SCDES reminds the public that simple precautions can help prevent illness, injury and other water-related risks while enjoying recreational water activities.

SCDES plays an important role in protecting people’s health and wellbeing by inspecting public pools and hot tubs, monitoring ocean water quality for bacteria and tracking harmful algal blooms in lakes and rivers. However, individuals play a key role in helping keep themselves, their families and others safe around water. Everyone should remain aware of certain risks, including drowning hazards, strong currents, wildlife encounters and changing environmental conditions.

The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) plays an important role in protecting people’s health and wellbeing by monitoring ocean water quality for bacteria, inspecting public pools and hot tubs, and tracking harmful algal blooms in lakes and rivers.

Beaches, lakes, rivers and streams  

South Carolina’s beaches, lakes, rivers and streams are popular destinations during the warmer months, but natural waterbodies aren’t chemically treated like swimming pools, so there is always a risk of health impacts. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites naturally exist in ambient waters, and the health effects from exposure to these organisms can vary greatly.

Additionally, heavy rainfall and flooding can wash large amounts of contaminants into nearby waterbodies, increasing the risk for possible health impacts.

SCDES recommends the following precautions when recreating in natural waters:

• Check for swimming advisories before heading to the beach by visiting the CheckMyBeach webpage or SCDES Beach Monitoring webpage. SCDES monitors ocean water quality at more than 120 locations along South Carolina’s coast for elevated bacteria levels.
• Evaluate water before entering. If the water appears discolored, has a foul odor, contains visible algal mats or foam, or if dead fish or wildlife are present, avoid entering the water and keep pets away. Harmful algal blooms can develop quickly and may become a concern before they are officially reported. SCDES’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring App provides information about identified blooms across the state.
• Avoid swimming with open cuts or wounds, avoid swallowing natural water and consider using nose clips or keeping water out of the nose during freshwater activities to help reduce exposure to harmful microorganisms.
• Harmful bacteria such as Vibrio (flesh-eating bacteria) live naturally in brackish and salt coastal waters and can enter the body through open wounds.
• Naegleria fowleri (commonly called the “brain-eating amoeba”) live naturally in warm freshwaters. While extremely rare, infections from N. fowleri are nearly always fatal. The primary pathway for human exposure is through the nose and into the brain. It’s encouraged that lake and river users plug their nose or wear nose clips when playing or jumping into the water to minimize forceful water injection into the nose.

Pools and hot tubs  

Swimming pools and hot tubs also require safe practices to help reduce the spread of germs and recreational water illnesses.

SCDES recommends the following tips for pools and hot tubs:

• Shower before entering the pool. Dirt, sweat, oils and personal care products on the skin can affect the balance of chemicals that help keep pool water clean and safe.
• Avoid swallowing pool water and remind children not to use the restroom in the pool. Even properly treated water can contain germs that may cause illness if swallowed.
• Don’t swim if you or your child has diarrhea. Certain parasites, including Cryptosporidium, can survive in properly chlorinated pools and spread easily to others.
• Be aware of the risk of Legionnaires’ disease associated with hot tubs. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling small water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. If hot tubs are not properly maintained and water is aerosolized, Legionnella and other bacteria can be inhaled and cause illness.

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of water-related injury and death, particularly among children. SCDES encourages swimmers to closely supervise children, swim with a buddy and wear properly fitted life jackets when appropriate.

For more information, visit SCDES’s Safe Swimming webpage at des.sc.gov/safeswimming and follow SCDES on social media.