Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell

May 8, 2025 Update: Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell Remains in Effect. 

On May 6, teams from SCDES's Aquatic Science Division collected new water samples from 16 locations around Lake Hartwell and observed the harmful algal bloom (HAB) in several locations.

Based on the latest round of lake observations and water sampling, SCDES recommends (1) avoiding direct contact with lake water in areas where the HAB is observed and (2) keeping pets and animals from swimming in or drinking lake water where the HAB is observed  

Visit our Algal Bloom Monitoring Map for the most up-to-date information.  

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Beach Monitoring Season

SCDES samples water at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's coast from May 1 - October 1. If elevated levels of bacteria are detected, advisories are issued for that monitoring location. An advisory means that SCDES advises you NOT to swim in those areas. Advisories do not mean that the beach is closed. Wading, fishing, and shell collecting do not pose a risk.

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SCDES Collects Additional Samples, Provides Update on Lake Hartwell Harmful Algal Bloom

Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell remains in effect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 8, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) continues to monitor the harmful algal bloom (HAB) on Lake Hartwell in order to provide the latest recommendations for protecting public health. HABs are a common and natural occurrence in natural waterbodies, but they can cause health impacts to people or pets that come into contact with the algae.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2025 09:00 am - 01:00 pm

Santee River Basin Council Meeting

The next Santee River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for May 13, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

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Tuesday, Apr 29, 2025

Protecting Air Quality: SCDES’s Daily Ozone Forecasts and What You Can Do to Help

know your ozone forecast

As temperatures rise across South Carolina, so do concerns about ground-level ozone pollution.

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