MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Some people cancelled their vacations after reading a local blog that claims there is a no swim advisory in Myrtle Beach.
For two weeks, myrtlebeachsc.com has posted stories on the beach’s water quality. Myrtle Beach Spokesperson Mark Kruea told News13 the headlines are misleading.
“We have had reports that people have cancelled vacations because of this bad information, the business community I gather is not very happy with it,” said Kruea.
DHEC’S website says parts of Myrtle Beach are under a long term swim advisory. Kruea says they’ve had signs up warning people since 2007.
News13 called DHEC to find out what these signs actually mean.
“Essentially what these signs are, they are more cautionary than anything,” explained DHEC Spokesperson Robert Yanity.
He says the signs were strategically placed at rain runoff locations to warn people not to swim within 200 feet of the sign or after rainfall.
“These are not in any way advisories to indicate that people shouldn’t be swimming or recreating near the water, these areas are just places that have the potential for bacteria after a heavy rain,” said Yanity.
However, writer David Hucks says the beach shouldn’t be under any advisory.
“2007 the signs were put up. Why haven’t we done something about it yet?” asked Hucks.
He referred to the swim advisory sign at Withers Swash as a black eye on the city.
“This is an environmental issue. This is a public safety issue. Those signs would not be up if they weren’t required to be up,” stated Hucks.
According to Kruea, the city has spent millions on storm water management. He says the city and DHEC test the ocean water quality twice weekly, from May-October.
For a closer look at water quality on the Grand strand visit Know Before You Go or SCDHEC Beach Monitoring.
