by 
By Mark A. Leon
Charleston Waterkeeper is actively working to improve water quality in Charleston, SC through various initiatives:
1. Water Quality Testing: They test bacteria levels at 20 recreational hotspots to ensure safe swimming conditions and monitor water quality indicators such as temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen.
2. Pollution Identification: The organization identifies pollution problems by testing for contaminants like bacteria, pathogens, plastic pellets, hydrocarbons, and pesticides.
3. Advocacy and Policy: They use data from their Water Watch program to advocate for better water protections and advance actions to improve water quality.
4. Community Engagement: Charleston Waterkeeper empowers the community to report pollution and participate in clean-up activities, holding local authorities accountable.
5. Innovative Monitoring: They pilot new technologies, like silicone wristbands, to monitor contaminants in waterways.
6. Marine Debris Documentation: The organization documents marine debris to support policy efforts aimed at reducing litter.
7. DNA Science for Pathogen Identification: They use DNA science to identify pathogens in local waterways to ensure public safety.
8. Oyster Reef and Marsh Restoration: Charleston Waterkeeper creates opportunities for community involvement in habitat restoration to protect against climate change.
9. Free Marine Pumpout Service: They provide a mobile pumpout service to prevent marine sewage contamination.
10. Securing Funding: The Swim Alert project has helped secure over $1 million in state and local funding for waterway clean-up projects.
Additional Resources
- Water Quality – Charleston Waterkeeper
- The Clean Water Act and Water Quality – Charleston Waterkeeper
- Official Website: Charleston Waterkeeper – Protecting Charleston’s waterways
- Water Quality Testing and Reporting – Charleston Waterkeeper
- Defenders for clean water – What Charleston Waterkeeper Does
