Photo By: Unique Perspective
Nestled between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, Beaufort County is rich with history, culture and outdoor beauty. The County is composed of hundreds of barrier and sea islands separated by abundant waterways. In fact, approximately 46% of Beaufort's coverage is salt marshes and tidal rivers. It's these tidal rivers that create spectacular scenic vistas and rich habitat for egrets, herons, pelicans, dolphins and other wildlife species.
These rivers are the heart of the economy and family life in Beaufort. It is important to our community for so many reasons: as a place to swim, lounge on the sandbar, catch fish and harvest oysters. In all of these ways the health of our waterways is tied to the health of our community - it's a responsibility we all share.
In recent years, local leaders and residents have become increasingly concerned about rising levels of fecal coliform bacteria in our rivers. Fecal coliform bacteria are sometimes found with disease-causing germs found in human and animal waste.
Fecal coliform bacteria enters our rivers from many sources - wastewater overflow, wildlife, failing septic systems, and even pet waste. We are all part of the problem, but we can all be part of the solution. It's not too late to make a real difference in the health of our tidal rivers.
