Black Creek bacteria at safe levels

DARLINGTON Bacterial levels in Black Creek continue to remain at safe levels, according to data from analyzed water samples collected by members of the Black Creek Land Trust.

The nonprofit environmental group that advocates for the waterway has continued monthly monitoring on the main stem of Black Creek to help clean its reputation after a Department of Health and Environmental Control report found the waterway impaired because of fecal coliform.

Since September 2012, the group has taken approximately 275 samples from 16 stations on the main stem of Black Creek that flows from the headwaters of Lake Robinson in Darlington County into the Great Pee Dee River in Florence County.

On July 2, 2013, samples at six sampling stations showed elevated bacterial levels after consistently heavy rains that the group thinks led to storm water discharges and contamination from other sources. Before then, only one sample had been over the regulatory limit.

For Black Creek Land Trust Secretary and Treasurer Jay James, that information wasnt too surprising because of the summers record-setting rains increasing runoff that flows into the waterway. But James said the monitoring data continues to be encouraging.

I think you can tell people who are interested in recreation on Black Creek that involves direct contract with the water, that in most cases it is going to be safe, James said. But after major rainfall events you may want to wait a day or two.

The group has discontinued its monitoring of the Lake Robinson headwaters and below the lakes dam, where samples have shown that bacterial levels were almost non-detectable.

Fecal coliform is used as an indicator of the possible presence of other harmful pathogens in the water that may cause some waterborne pathogenic disease such as ear infections, dysentery, typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis and hepatitis A.

The group also began monitoring for E. coli last February.

In October, efforts to pinpoint problem areas were stepped up and the group added two monitoring stations on Swift Creek, which flows through the City of Darlington and into Black Creek. The added Spring Street remains within range, but the Phillips Street location had exceeded limits in October.

The rest is here:
Black Creek bacteria at safe levels