Is Your Local Waterway Safe for Swimming?

As summer temperatures climb, local waterways — such as Greenville's Reedy River — might beckon you to take a dip and cool off. Katie Hottel, GIS Coordinator and member of Upstate Forever's Clean Water team, recently spoke with WSPA 7News about how your family can stay safe in local waterways this summer: Read the article

Agriculture, septic, wildlife and other factors can lead to high levels of E.coli in both rural and urban settings. Before jumping in for a swim in your local waterway, it's wise to take a look at recent water quality test results from a resource like the Watershed Atlas on DHEC's website. 

Another tip from Katie: Avoid swimming in local waterways in the 24-48 hours following a major storm, when potentially hazardous storm water run off is flowing. 

You can read the article or watch the WSPA 7News clip here to learn more about local water quality and how to keep your family safe this summer. 

Learn more about Upstate Forever's Clean Water work