Water Ball 2012 Highlights from Charleston Waterkeeper on Vimeo.

Two weeks ago, the Charleston community came together to celebrate its fundamental right to clean water.  We are happy to report that Charleston Waterkeeper’s Third Annual Water Ball was our biggest, most successful event yet!

Water Ball 2012 had an estimated record attendance of over 400 people!  (Even an ominous thunderstorm couldn’t keep people away from enjoying their evening dedicated to clean water.)  The evening began under the tents on the riverside terrace as guests were greeted by a glass of LaBubbly champagne accompanied by a classical trio’s performance of Handel’s Water Music.  At 8PM guests entered the aquarium to enjoy food from local restaurants and drinks courtesy of New Belgium Brewing, Palmetto Distributing, and ICEBOX Bartending Services.

Thanks to the incredible support from our sponsors, attendees, volunteers, and friends, Water Ball 2012 raised over $15,000 for Charleston Waterkeeper this year!  These funds will go directly to support our permit watchdog program and our water quality monitoring program.  The goal with both initiatives is to gather baseline data that will allow us to identify water pollution issues and work towards pragmatic solutions.

The Water Machine returned to the Water Ball in a never before seen way.  Representing the need for us all to come together as a community to promote and maintain clean water, guests bought light bulbs throughout the night and showed our collective support of clean water.  Water Machine 3.0 raised $3,900 at Water Ball 2012 , and with the generous support of the Bishop Family Foundation in matching every light bulb bought, we raised in total $7,800 to support the permit watchdog program and our water quality monitoring program!

Our dedication to 100% waste diversion throughout the evening was also a resounding success.  Between the collective efforts of our vendors, guests, volunteers, and staff, Water Ball 2012 produced only one bag of trash, and we were able to divert 280 pounds of recyclable material from the landfill.

We’ve received an overwhelming level of praise from attendees, vendors, sponsors, and local media – with press features ranging from Charleston Magazine to Charleston Art Mag; fashionable Water Ball attendees were even featured in Ayoka Lucas’s Style Snaps.

The Twitpic team was on hand to guarantee that all those in attendance had a chance to channel their inner Waterkeeper in this year’s Twitpic photo booth.  For a full album of all photo booth images, click the photo below.

In addition, Jason A. Zwiker was on scene to capture the evening’s success…

And finally, this year’s event would not have been possible without the amazing group of sponsors, vendors, friends, and volunteers who came together to support the protection of Charleston’s waterways. Check out our full list of supporters here:

We are looking forward to another successful year and cannot wait to see you at Water Ball 2013.

We are exited to announce a new partnership between Charleston Waterkeeper and Groupon Grassroots!  This morning, a Charleston Waterkeeper campaign went live as part of the Groupon Grassroots Earth Day Campaign.  The G-Team allows Groupon users to connect with local fundraisers, campaigns, and charitable causes, and we are very proud to be working with them this week.

If the Grassroots campaign raises $400, then Charleston Waterkeeper can test 16 samples of local water for bacteria contamination, with all donations matched up to $500 by Flyway SC. Each additional $50 raised will fund the testing of another water sample.  To celebrate the launch of Groupon Grassroots, Groupon has provided a $1,000 kickoff grant to the campaign.  When you donate to our campaign, we will be one step closer to raising our $400 goal, and launching the Water Quality Monitoring Program.

The Water Quality Monitoring Program is designed to collect scientific data to determine hot spots, areas of concern, and most important, information that will allow Charleston Waterkeeper to work towards a solution to pollution issues. Charleston Waterkeeper will collect water samples from tidal creeks and waterways to test levels of enterococcus bacteria to determine whether bacterial contamination threatens boating, fishing, and swimming. The organization’s goal is to track down and eliminate any sources of bacteria to ensure clean and safe areas for boating, fishing, and swimming.  Reductions in federal and state funding have severely reduced monitoring for bacteria in Charleston’s tidal creeks and rivers.  The Department of Health and Environmental Control only monitors enterococcus bacteria levels at area beaches.  Because no monitoring occurs in our tidal creeks and rivers, Charleston Waterkeeper will focus its enterococcus monitoring efforts in these areas.  This program will ensure that the fishable, swimmable, drinkable quality of the area’s waterways is protected.

In launching this important new program, Charleston Waterkeeper will be able to determine pollution hotspots and work to eliminate sources of pollution that threaten the quality of our waterways.

You can check out the Charleston Waterkeeper campaign here.  Keep checking back for updates as we approach our goal of $400!

Garden & Gun magazine was established five years ago with one mission in mind – to capture the Soul of the South.

Garden & Gun is an idea about how to live — how to live a life that is more engaged with the land, the literature, the music, the arts, the traditions, the food, and the authenticity that has shaped the Southern way of life.  It is about truly appreciating the richness of the South and knowing how that understanding can enrich one’s life and translate beyond Southern geography.

Three  and a half years ago, Charleston Waterkeeper was established to protect the public’s fundamental right to clean, swimmable, drinkable, fishable water – a right that is celebrated each and every day here in the Lowcountry.

In honor of Garden & Gun‘s fifth anniversary, they’ve recently published the April/May 2012 issue to honor “Southern Heroes – 11 Visionaries Saving the South’s Wild Places.” Editor in chief, David DiBenedetto, explains in his Editor’s Letter, “for our anniversary issue we’re profiling a number of heroes who defend this wonderful landscape every day.”

We’re incredibly excited to share the news that Charleston Waterkeeper and founder Cyrus Buffum are featured in DiBenedetto’s Editor’s Letter. We’re all huge fans of Garden & Gun, and regardless of our being in the magazine, we highly encourage you all to give it a look.  To read the Editor’s Letter in its entirety, download it here, or click the image above.

Also, David DiBenedetto appeared on Morning Joe earlier this month to talk about Garden & Gun‘s most recent issue. Click the video below to watch the piece, or watch it online here.

The article and report on which it’s based rely on data from the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory.  The TRI was created as a public right-to-know program in the wake of the Bhopal, India disaster.  The Inventory requires industrial facilities that use certain toxic chemicals to report a yearly estimate of releases to the air, land, and water.  Release is defined broadly to include everything from accidental spills, to permitted discharges of treated wastewater, to transfers of toxic chemicals for proper off site disposal.  The self-reported release estimates are compiled into the Inventory and published to the public by the EPA.

The 2010 Inventory data is the most recent data available and for the first time notes the waterways receiving the release.  In the report Wasting our Waterways 2012 Environment America and Frontier Group looked at the Inventory data by receiving waters and cross referenced the type of chemicals released with California’s list of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity.  They then ranked the waterways by total amount of cancer-causing chemicals received.  The Cooper River ranked sixth.

Inventory data is useful because it shows what type of chemicals were released and where.  But Inventory data also has limitations–it cannot determine the human health risk associated with exposure.  That type of determination requires an environmental exposure assessment, a much more complicated and in-depth study.  Inventory data also does not indicate whether the reported releases were in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The fact is some or all of these releases may have been lawful.  In 1972 the federal Clean Water Act set the goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants to our nation’s waterways by 1987.  To reach that goal the CWA created a system of permitting point source discharges called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.  Although, the nation has fallen woefully short of this goal, it’s a goal we strive for at Charleston Waterkeeper.

The first step in ensuring 100% compliance with the laws on the books. Taking the first requires knowing whether or not any of the releases violated the Clean Water Act.  That’s the critical question the Inventory data cannot answer.  But it’s exactly the question our point source discharge audit was designed to answer.

Several months ago we began by identifying all the permitted dischargers in our watershed.  There are approximately 113 permits authorizing the discharge of pollutants into our waterways. The permit holders generally fall into two categories: industrial facilities and sewage treatment plants.  Each has its own set of issues and their permits limit pollutants unique to their treatment processes.

We are currently developing compliance histories for each discharger, and class of dischargers, and are working to identify and document the issues impacting our right to fishable, swimmable, drinkable water.  Our data and research serves as our foundation as we develop solutions and address the issues we’ve documented.  What’s more, it also supports our role as a watchdog over permit holders and DHEC.  We do this work because each of us has a right to fish, swim, and enjoy our waterways without fear of pollution.

It’s here! A huge thanks to Justin Harris for designing yet another phenomenal Water Ball event poster!

For tickets and more information, visit http://thewaterball.org.

Join Charleston Waterkeeper on April 5, 2012 for an evening dedicated to clean water. Our third annual Water Ball will be held at the SC Aquarium from 7-11PM. Advance tickets will be made available on March 5, 2012 by visiting thewaterball.org.

More details will be revealed soon. In the meantime, here’s what happened in 2010 and 2011…

2010 Water Ball

2011 Water Ball

To get up to the minute news about this year’s Water Ball, RSVP on Facebook.

#waterball2012

Day Break in Charleston. Photo courtesy of Beenatural.com.

A few months ago, we had the privilege to meet Creighton Cutts, the founder of Bee Natural in Athens, GA.  Creighton had come to Charleston for a “Floatoshoot” on the Charleston Harbor for Bee Natural’s Waterkeeper Alliance campaign, and we were very impressed by his work.

Creighton designs custom beautiful Honeypot® luminaries, and has grown his business significantly since he came up with the process more than 14 years ago.  In the time since, much of his profit has gone back to non-profits (like us!) looking out for our environment, including many members of Waterkeeper Alliance.

This is where you come in!  Charleston Waterkeeper is proud to announce that if you make a purchase from Bee Natural, a percentage of the proceeds will come back to support us!  Not only will be be getting a beautiful Honeypot®, but you will be helping us protect your right to clean water.

As you can see, the Honeypot® would be a beautiful addition to your house or office.  To buy a Honeypot®, click here and make sure to note that you would like to support Charleston Waterkeeper at checkout.

On behalf of Creighton and the entire team here at Charleston Waterkeeper, thanks for your support!

Cosmos HoneyPot®. Photo courtesy of Beenatural.com.

On Friday, FISH Restaurant, Champagne (v). for a Cause and Charleston Waterkeeper came together to host an amazing night of fun, all in the name of protecting our waterways.  With lines out the door all night, we were able to raise $641 to help our important efforts here in Charleston.

We were treated to the wonderful flavors of the Ginger Fizz, French 442, and Le Champagne Cocktail perfected by professional mixologist, Evan Powell.  After a great dinner prepared by the excellent Executive Chef Nico Romo, DJ Cilo took to the floor and kept us going well into the night.  In keeping with tradition, someone could always be found with a glass of champagne!

Champagne (v). For a Cause was created with a simple idea: to create a company that combines good times with charitable events.  Today, that that work has translated into numerous organizations who are working to better the planet benefiting from nights of fun and hard work.  We were honored to partner with them on Friday to pull of this great event to help with the work we are doing.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made this event a huge success! Keep in touch for more events like this down the line.

Also, here are some pictures from the night:

We were honored to welcome new members and e-mail subscribers all night!

Everyone enjoying their Ginger Fizz's, French 442's, and Le Champagne Cocktails!

On Friday, February 3rd, Champagne (v). for a Cause and Charleston Waterkeeper will be teaming up to host Champagne (v.) – for Charleston Waterkeeper.  We will be at FISH Restaurant, located at 442 King Street.  After a short hiatus in New York City, the Champagne (v.) – for a cause team is back in Charleston help us protect our local waterways!

Champagne (v) – for a cause presents 3 ways to make a difference.  Proceeds from select cocktails which are featured in the below video will go to Charleston Waterkeeper. Make sure to get these cocktails to take advantage of the deal: Ginger Fizz, French 442, and Le Champagne Cocktail perfected by professional mixologist, Evan Powell.

You can join us for dinner from 5:00pm-10:00pm, and then for drinks from 10:00pm-2:00pm with DJ Cilo.  Can’t wait to see you there!

Video not working above? Check it out here.

We’re incredibly excited to officially welcome Andrew J. Wunderley, Esq. to the Waterkeeper team! Andrew initially joined our staff back in August as our legal affairs coordinator; however, as of the first of the year, he’s made the leap to full-time employee.  When Andrew’s not researching permits, investigating polluters, or sniffing stormdrains, he can usually be found surfing, woodworking, or spending time with his family.  For a look at Andrew’s bio, head on over to our staff page.

Click here for our official release, or read it below:

January 11, 2012 – Charleston, SC: On the heels of the new year, Charleston Waterkeeper announced this week that the organization has named Andrew Wunderley, Esq., as the organization’s full-time Program Coordinator and Staff Attorney. Wunderley, who has worked part-time for the organization since this past August, will be responsible for providing legal and policy expertise to manage the organization’s advocacy programs. Initially, his work will focus on programs designed to address point source pollution and threats associated with stormwater. By adding a legal mind to the organization’s team, Charleston Waterkeeper will have the resources in place to better protect the public’s right to clean water.

Charleston Waterkeeper Executive Director Cyrus Buffum commented on the new addition to the organization saying, ”As a data-driven organization, Charleston Waterkeeper relies heavily on science and the law. Andrew’s environmental background, legal expertise and passion for water provides Charleston Waterkeeper with the tools needed to identify threats, create solutions, and work towards our goal of fishable, swimmable water.”

Wunderley is both an attorney and conservationist, who has been active in the Lowcountry since attending the Graduate School at the College of Charleston. Wunderley, who graduated Cum Laude from Charleston School of Law, offers legal expertise that will enable Charleston Waterkeeper to fully confront the issues degrading water quality in the Charleston Harbor watershed. Wunderley also served as law clerk to the Honorable James E. Lockemy at the South Carolina Court of Appeals, as well as Staff Attorney to the Court of Appeals. He holds a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the Graduate School at the College of Charleston and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association.

Charleston Waterkeeper board chair, Lindsay Nevin, also weighed in on the growth of the organization saying, “Over the past three years, through the support of countless donors and the dedication of existing staff and volunteers, Charleston Waterkeeper has successfully grown to become the organization it is today. With the addition of Andrew Wunderley to the Waterkeeper team, we are confident in the positive direction of Charleston Waterkeeper and certain that we are strengthening our ability to protect and improve the quality of Charleston’s waterways,” Nevin said.

Wunderley’s passion for clean water was implicit during his interview on Tuesday, “There are some natural resources that are too valuable to be privately owned. Our water resources belong to the public, and every citizen of South Carolina has a right to fish, surf, swim or harvest oysters without fear of pollution,” he said. Wunderley’s commitment to the water also extends to his personal life, as he is a long-time surfer, swimmer and swim coach. In 2001, Wunderley coached City of Charleston Councilwoman Kathleen Wilson for her swim across the English Channel. Wunderley is married with two children and lives in Charleston.