Residents and locals are applauding Councilman Lowder for speaking out on this matter. Bacteria spikes are a “quality of life” issue for locals and tourists alike.
Myrtle Beach tourists and residents alike have taken note of the ongoing televised and newspaper reported Swim Advisories put out by the Department of Health and Environmental Control this early Summer.
In 2016, when MyrtleBeachSC news first reported these concerns, former Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce C.E.O. Brad Dean and all major news outlets nation-wide were quick to label these stories fake news. Just over 2 years later, those news stories are now reported ongoing by the main stream media nation-wide, and Dean is now in Puerto Rico representing the tourism board there.
QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION PUT OUT BY THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The video above states the frequency of these spikes are decreasing, however, according to a release from DHEC Tuesday, the affected areas on June 13th include 200 feet above and below:
- 16th Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach – sample measured 1,785
- 53rd Avenue North in Myrtle Beach/Deep Head Swash – sample measured 471
- 34th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach – sample measured 3,873
- 15th Avenue South in Myrtle Beach – sample measured 368
- 23rd Avenue South in Myrtle Beach – sample measured 1,118
- Nash Drive in Horry County – sample measured 4,106
- Outfall in Myrtle Beach State Park in Horry County – sample measured 460
- 16th Avenue North in Surfside Beach – sample measured 221
- 11th Avenue North in Surfside Beach – sample measured 142
- 3rd Avenue South in Surfside Beach – sample measured 121
ANY NUMBER ABOVE 104 IS UNSAFE FOR SWIMMING.
On March 29th, US News, CBS, and a bevvy of national news services reported the 100,000 gallon sewage leak in Myrtle Beach that sent bacteria spikes in certain areas to over 17.000 creating a swim advisory for all Horry County beaches.
This past Tuesday, City Councilman Mike Lowder addressed department heads in Myrtle Beach City Government about fixing the issues at the 25th Avenue South Outfall immediately. While his tone was soft and his request tempered, Lowder made it clear he wanted the matter addressed.
Information from DHEC shows that the frequency of spikes are consistent, but have been too frequent, (as far as tourists and residents are concerned), for the past several years.
Myrtle Beach City Government simply has not made this their highest priority as MyrtleBeachSC News reported earlier this year.
The facts are that the main stream media is now reporting on the matter. They refused to in 2015, 16, and 17.
Residents are applauding Councilman Lowder for speaking out on this matter. Bacteria spikes are a quality of life issue for locals and tourists alike.