DHEC authorizes removal of “No Swimming” signs in North Myrtle Beach

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) –  On Friday the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control allowed the City of North Myrtle Beach to remove the temporary “No Swimming” signs posted Thursday.

City spokesperson Pat Dowling says the signs were posted at 17^th Avenue South, 9^th Avenue South, 7^th Avenue South and 3^rd Avenue North as a result of high bacteria counts.

The city has yet to receive the results of retesting that occurred Thursday but according to DHEC, the water quality results show acceptable bacteria counts at all four locations, Dowling says.

The samples taken Wednesday showed 17^th Avenue South was at 373, 9^th Avenue South at 2110, 7^th Avenue South at 703 and 3^rd Avenue North at 256. The acceptable bacteria level as established by SC DHEC is 104 or lower.

The City of North Myrtle Beach anticipates an update to its water sampling map to show the new test results this weekend, or at the latest Monday.