NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. () – Recent testing has provided insight into the E. coli levels present in the Savannah River. While there’s a portion of the community that is anxious about water safety, officials are reassuring the public that the issue isn’t as widespread as it might appear.
The detection of elevated E. coli levels in the Savannah River has stirred apprehension among CSRA residents.
“Thinking about taking my family kayaking, which we plan to do this summer, makes me uneasy because of the high E. coli levels in the river,” Amanda Dobson, a local resident, shared. “The idea is honestly unsettling.”
Another local, Mike Perry, expressed a similar sentiment, stating, “I would avoid the river until these levels drop.”
Despite the rising concerns surrounding the heightened E. coli levels in the Savannah River, officials from the Riverkeeper organization emphasize that the issue is confined to a specific location rather than being pervasive.
At the Riverview Boast Dock, officials say levels are normal, but a couple miles downstream is where they say the issue lies.
Truck Carlson, program coordinator for Veterans for Clean Water, says test samples taken last week showed E. coli levels above 2,400 at the Savannah River Sandbar. New testing conducted this week showed much different results.
“In our world, dilution is the solution to pollution, so you got this much water, it dilutes really quickly, really quickly,” he said.
This week’s testing at the Sandbar have dropped to six, while levels at the creek measured 290, an increase from last week. Carlson says all testing locations along the Savannah River are now within safe levels, but riverkeepers still encourage residents to use caution.
“If you have a compromised immune system or you’re very young or you’re very old, it can really be a problem health wise,” Carlson said. “It can make you really sick, not necessarily going to kill you, but it could make you really sick and it’s something to be advised about.”
Riverkeeper officials say they will continue monitoring water quality over the coming days.
They are also encouraging residents to check the latest testing results before diving in.