Eight Grandfathers Survey Water Quality in South Carolina

By Chris Christner

The “Eight Grandfathers” of the Foothills Group have been busy promoting Clean Water for South Carolina. The “Eight Grandfathers” was coined by the Editor of the Seneca Daily Journal. After our presentation to the Foothills Group in April 2006, we met with Dell Isham in Salem in May and reviewed our program and goals. We met with DHEC in Anderson in June and DHEC graciously provided all of their State-wide sample site data for the last five years. We also discussed the high pollution levels in the Reedy River in downtown Greenville. A letter was sent to Dr. Waddell of DHEC requesting that steps be taken to stop children from playing in the polluted Reedy River water, as shown in the June 12th Greenville News photo.

In June, letters were sent to the Governor and key Legislators describing the pollution levels in South Carolina waterways and requesting specific action be taken to start cleaning up South Carolina’s lakes, rivers and streams. The benefits of attracting new industries, increasing tourism, and improving the health of South Carolinians were discussed. A copy of the letter which was sent to the Governor was sent to all South Carolina Sierra Club Group Chairs.

In July a presentation was made to the State Sierra Club Executive Committee meeting in Jones Gap State Park. As the high levels of pollution in the rivers around Spartanburg were discussed, a representative shouted, “Oh no, I was swimming in that river yesterday,” In September we attended Dr. Overcamp’s presentation to the Foothills Group on Water Reuse. Also in September, we made a presentation to the Sierra Club William Bartram Group of Greenville which reviewed the pollution levels in the whole Upstate.

October began with the presentation by Dr. B. Andersen, from Furman University, to the Foothills Group, “Water Quality in the Water Ways of the Saluda and Enoree”. Then the Seneca Daily Journal published a front page article, headlined, “Unsafe Water” on October 19th which was written from the data and information we provided to the Editor. On October 27th the Editor published our response to several comments which had been written about the article of the 19th and headlined it, “Can’t Deny Watery Facts”.

In November, Earl Meyer went to Columbia for the Sierra Club State Conservation Committee meeting. He presented the program for Clean Water and the program was adopted; he was designated State Chairman, Water Group, for the program. Plans to meet with the local Legislators were postponed until after the Elections. Also in November, we met with Dr. Louwanda Jolley and Dr. John C. Hayes at Clemson University to discuss Dr. Jolley’s research on fecal coliform in waterway sediment and the results of sediment samples from Lake Keowee. The research shows that the fecal coliform levels in the sediment of lakes, rivers and streams are generally 100 to 10,000 times higher than the fecal coliform levels in the water above the sediment. The fecal coliform is not digested in the sediment, it appears to live long and multiply as more nutrients are supplied.

Using current DHEC data, work was started on preparing specific waterway pollution information for each of the 10 major population areas in the state. This information will be used by the local Sierra Club representatives in their meetings with local newspapers and the local Legislators. The areas as indicated by their newspapers are: Anderson Independent Mail; Greenville News; Columbia State; Myrtle Beach Sun News; Sumter Item; Florence Morning News; Rock Hill Herald; Aiken Standard; Spartanburg Herald-Journal; and Charleston Post Courier.

In January 2007 a meeting was held with Senator Thomas C. Alexander and Representative William Whitmire, legislators for Oconee County. The pollution problems in the watersheds of Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell and potential corrective actions were discussed at length. These three lakes are the economic engines for the Golden Corner of South Carolina and stewardship is required to prevent them from becoming a liability.

The major environmental problem in South Carolina is pollution in the lakes, rivers and streams. And based on DHEC sampling the pollution is getting worse and more wide-spread every year.

The Water Group January 23, 2007