Fecal coliform a safety concern in our local creek and many waterways in the Charleston Harbor Watershed

Charleston Waterkeeper reported in June 2012 that fifty-one percent of impaired waterways in the Ashley/Cooper River Basin (a.k.a. Charleston Harbor Watershed) are impaired because of fecal coliform.  “The most recent data available shows 52 waterways in the Ashley/Cooper River Basin have poor water quality due to fecal pollution.” Swimming in contaminated water means risking development of “gastrointestinal disease, respiratory, ear, eye, and skin infections, meningitis, and hepatitis” according to their website. The designation as “fecal contaminated” means that the level of bacteria exceeds a safe level for swimming or consuming shellfish.

This is big news for many of us who regularly use Charleston waterways. For artist Mary Edna Fraser whose studio and home is on Ellis Creek in James Island, the dock is a gathering place and swimming in the creek is instinctual. We were devastated when we learned that it was unsafe to swim in our creek as we have always done, Mary Edna for two decades here where she raised her two daughters and now lives with husband Dr. John Sperry. The house sits on an embankment in view of the water and the property is a serene enclave of overflowing azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, and pine, oak and pecan trees. Viewing Ellis Creek and watching birds and wildlife here everyday is a reminder that humans and development add pressure to our waterways.  Fecal coliform is naturally occurring in humans and warm blooded animals, so sources of the bacteria are many, from man as well as creatures in the environment.  The TMDL (total maximum daily load) is the EPA standard for implementing the Clean Water Act–the target date to hit create a plan for Ellis Creek is not until 2019.

Swimming in the months and days before we were informed of this public recommendation, Mary Edna became aware of bumps on her skin which John believes might be caused by a bird parasite, possibly the skin infection Schistosome Dermatitis. The warm summer water stimulates the growth of microorganisms too. Ear infections have always been a problem with creek-swimming. Toweling off completely or even better, showering after swimming, were their decided methods for avoiding skin and ear infections. But now, we have decided that swimming here is not worth the risks, or so we say. The rushing waters before and after high tide will always tempt us to jump in.

Swimmers in Ellis Creek, James Island, near Mary Edna Fraser's dock

An April 2012 Post & Courier article highlights the pioneering work of the two-man team, Charleston Waterkeeper, who are compiling a database of discharge permits and working to make polluters accountable.