South Carolina's waters face increasing risks

MORNING HEADLINES | Whether it’s pesky plastic pellets known as nurdles or relaxed oversight of small streams, South Carolina’s water is facing increasing threats, environmental advocates say.

A significant portion of Charleston’s drinking water may be at risk from development based on new research released this week on the impact of a 2023 judicial interpretation of the federal Clean Water Act, environmental advocates say.

The decision means that so-called “ephemeral streams,” temporary waterways that run dry for most of the year and flow after heavy rains, are no longer protected. But these streams contribute a large portion of water that ends up in Lowcountry residents’ glasses.

Andrew Wunderley, executive director of Charleston Waterkeeper, said there are no state laws on the books protecting ephemeral waterways. Instead, the onus is on local governments to pass ordinances and protect their own water sources.

Mike Saia, spokesman for the Charleston Water System, said that just because the federal government is relaxing its regulations, doesn’t mean the utility is changing its standards.

“Just because these streams may be at risk, it does not immediately mean our drinking water is at risk,” he said. “We monitor our sourcewater all the time. We conduct 20,000 tests each year. Any sort of fluctuation in quality is going to be immediately responded to by our plant staff.”

Meanwhile, millions of tiny plastic pellets, called nurdles, have found their way into South Carolina’s waters, according to local and state-level testing. It takes only 10 minutes on your hands and knees in some areas to collect thousands of nurdles.

Once they’re in the water, nurdles act like sponges, absorbing the toxic chemicals like mercury and pesticides around them. And because they look like food, fish eat them. Then we eat the fish.

In Charleston, volunteers routinely collect hundreds from sites on the Cooper River, Wunderley said. The process led him and his Columbia-area counterpart, Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler, to file a federal lawsuit to hold officials accountable. He said the lawsuit was a last resort, after discussions with the companies broke down.

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In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper

CP OPINION: Time for Charleston’s carriages to go. “Charleston City Council should take action to consign carriage rides to the pages of history for the good of the animals and to decongest downtown’s increasing traffic. It’s sad to say, but everybody knows failure to do so will lead to future accidents — or worse.”

CP CARTOON: Stegelin: Bon appetit!
CP CARTOON: Ariail: Rumble! Rumble!

CP COVER: Charleston’s Fielding building holds social, craft trades histories. A local private school recently purchased the 1790s-era Fielding Home for Funerals — and the storied history and architecture that comes with it. The new owners are awaiting permits for a massive reconstruction as part of the ongoing restoration.

CP NEWS: Nurdles are pesky pollutants in S.C. waters, experts say. Millions of tiny plastic pellets, called nurdles, have found their way into South Carolina’s waters, according to local and state-level testing. It takes only 10 minutes on your hands and knees in some areas to collect thousands of nurdles.

CP NEWS: Lowcountry drinking water at risk, research finds. A significant portion of Charleston’s drinking water may be at risk from development based on new research released this week on the impact of a 2023 judicial interpretation of the federal Clean Water Act, environmental advocates say.

CP FOOD: Home Team BBQ celebrates 20 years. There are few dining experiences that match smoked chicken wings and a Game Changer at Home Team BBQ. What started in 2006 in a converted garage in West Ashley has grown to seven locations and a company that employs more than 600 people.

CP ARTS: Pure Theatre: 24th season stages new, recent work. It’s undeniable that Pure Theatre’s 24th season of new works and new-to-Charleston regional premieres is impressive. And “Undeniable” so happens to be the tagline season gathering a lineup boasting a noteworthy showing set to take the stage at Cannon Street Arts Center in the months to come.

CP MUSIC: Mavericks reunite Aug. 1 to honor singer. It’s fitting that it takes two singers to fill the role once occupied by Raul Malo, the late singer, songwriter and guitarist for a veteran Miami country band, the Mavericks.

In recent headlines

WEATHER: Flash flooding expected across parts of state as rain falls. South Carolina is set to shift from intense midsummer heat toward a multi-day rainy pattern heading into the weekend. A flash flooding threat extends from southeastern Virginia to northern Georgia and Alabama.

Fight against new dorms on burial grounds grows online. Those opposed to the College of Charleston building a new dorm on a 1790s public burial ground for the poor have launched an online petition as the school prepares to demolish a historic building.

$17M noise wall could bring relief to North Charleston neighborhood. After years of asking for relief from the constant roar of Interstate 26, residents in one North Charleston neighborhood are one step closer to getting it.

Tunnel to Towers to celebrate opening of North Charleston Veterans Village

Charleston school district prepares teachers for what’s next for A.I. in classrooms. Charleston County Schools are preparing teachers for the use of AI in education by holding training sessions, focusing on AI literacy, classroom applications, and responsible use ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

CALENDAR: Goings on around town

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.