Beach laws

Horry County swim advisories

To keep beachgoers safe, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control collaborates with a voluntary beachwater program to issue advisories when the levels of bacteria in the ocean water are high. Water is tested for bacteria along the coastline, and when bacteria levels are deemed unsafe, an advisory is issued.

Heavy rains can contribute to high levels of bacteria and pollutants in the ocean water because runoff from lawns and streets can flush out trash, fertilizer or pesticides.

Swimming after a rainstorm when an advisory is in effect should be avoided because contaminated water can affect swimmers by infecting them with minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea.

However, swim advisories usually last only one or two days, especially during a dry season, and few beach activities are limited by the advisories.

Uses of the beach not affected by swim advisories include sunbathing, shell hunting and walking in the surf.

Even when advisories are not in place, it is recommended to swim at least 200 feet away from storm drains and swashes after a storm. Signs are generally posted in those areas to warn people of the risks involved with swimming near the outfall.

Source: S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Horry County beach accesses

In North Myrtle Beach, wheelchairs are available Monday through Friday at the Recreation Center on Possum Trot Road. Call 280-5570 to reserve one. Wheelchair access is available at Main Street, Sea Mountain Highway, Fourth Avenue North, Sixth Avenue South, Ninth Avenue South, 15th Avenue South, 17th Avenue South, 21st Avenue South, 27th Avenue South, 39th Avenue South and 46th Avenue South.

In Surfside Beach, wheelchairs are available by calling 913-6368. Handicap beach accesses are at the beach access outlets. Wheelchair access is available at Third Avenue North, Surfside Drive at Surfside Pier and Melody Lane.

Horry County beach laws

Georgetown County beach access

Georgetown County beach laws

Brunswick County, N.C., swim advisories

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Health administers the Recreational Water Quality Program to monitor recreational beach water weekly at 240 monitoring stations from April 1 to Sept. 30, and twice a month in October. Testing continues on a monthly basis from November to March. Swimming advisories or alerts are posted when hazardous levels of bacterial contamination are detected. Contamination may stem from human or animal waste, stormwater discharge, floodwaters, or shellfish harvesting. Swim zones are divided into three tiers based on activity and use; advisories and alerts are issued according to the separate tiers. During the swimming season (April through October), swimming advisories, maps and sampling results will continuously be updated.

Source: N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Health Recreational Water Quality Program, www.deh.enr.state.nc.us.

This story was originally published September 23, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Beach laws."