Our Work
Jan 9th, 2009 by Charleston Waterkeeper
Charleston Waterkeeper is data-driven organization 100% focused on water quality issues in the Charleston Harbor Estuary. We identify and document water quality issues and work towards a pragmatic solution with the public, local business, and government. We are a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground group of water users dedicated to protecting the public’s right to fishable, swimmable, drinkable water.
Patrol Program
Charleston Waterkeeper physically patrols the Charleston Harbor Estuary on a regular basis. We talk with local fishermen, boaters, kayakers, and other water users and work to document issues affecting the quality of our waterways. As the eyes and ears of the Charleston Harbor Estuary our patrol activity informs everything we do at Charleston Waterkeeper.
Water Quality Monitoring Program
How’s the Water? That’s the question we set out to answer. Our local beaches are monitored for bacteria levels twice per month from May to October by DHEC. However, at present, nobody monitors the appropriate bacteria levels away from the beaches. We are working to develop the capability to regularly monitor bacteria levels in the rivers and creeks throughout our watershed and publish that information to the public.
Permit Watchdog Program
Did you know it’s legal to discharge pollutants into our waterways? It is. In fact, permits are routinely granted authorizing such discharges under the Clean Water Act. We research the permits and examine the discharge monitoring reports submitted by each permit holder. We also examine and monitor each discharger’s history of compliance or non-compliance with its permit. Our data gathering and research activity is ongoing work at Charleston Waterkeeper and is the foundation for our efforts to address the issues we document and identify. Our goal is 100% permit compliance.
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