What does a swimming advisory mean?

SCDES advises against swimming at one monitoring location until bacteria levels meet the standard.

What does SCDES test in beach water?

SCDES tests beach water samples for Enterococcus bacteria.

When does SCDES monitor beach water?

SCDES monitors from May 1 to October 1. It samples statewide stations twice a month and Myrtle Beach area stations weekly.

How do temporary and long-term swimming advisories differ?

A temporary advisory lasts until follow-up samples meet the standard. A long-term advisory marks a location where more than 10% of five years of samples exceeded the standard.

Beach water quality

Beach water quality at Surfside Beach

A swimming advisory limits swimming at one monitoring location. It does not close the beach.

Check the official SCDES beach monitoring page for current advisories (opens in a new tab) before you swim.

Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab), checked August 20, 2026.

How South Carolina monitors the water

Monitoring season

May 1 to October 1

During the season, SCDES samples 122 coastal stations twice a month.

Myrtle Beach area

weekly

SCDES tests samples for Enterococcus bacteria.

Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)

What an advisory means

Temporary advisory

SCDES advises against swimming at a monitoring location until follow-up samples fall below the standard.

SCDES uses the 104 MPN/100mL standard across two consecutive days. It may act after the first sample when a bacteria source is nearby. A single routine sample above 500 MPN/100mL triggers an immediate advisory.

Long-term advisory

A monitoring location has an increased chance of high bacteria levels, especially after rain and stormwater runoff.

SCDES uses this advisory when more than 10% of five years of samples exceed the standard.

Both advisories apply to swimming at an isolated monitoring location. Neither advisory closes the beach.

Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)

Reduce your risk

Do not swim or let children play in swashes.
Stay away from stormwater pipes and their runoff.
Do not enter the water with open wounds.
Wait at least 48 hours after heavy rain before swimming.

Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)

Beach swimming advisory questions

What does a swimming advisory mean?: SCDES advises against swimming at one monitoring location until bacteria levels meet the standard.; Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)
Does a swimming advisory close the beach?: No. An advisory limits swimming at one monitoring location. It does not close the beach.; Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)
What does SCDES test in beach water?: SCDES tests beach water samples for Enterococcus bacteria.; Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)
When does SCDES monitor beach water?: SCDES monitors from May 1 to October 1. It samples statewide stations twice a month and Myrtle Beach area stations weekly.; Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)
How do temporary and long-term swimming advisories differ?: A temporary advisory lasts until follow-up samples meet the standard. A long-term advisory marks a location where more than 10% of five years of samples exceeded the standard.; Source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services beach monitoring (opens in a new tab)