Why is Water Quality So important in Bluffton?

By Charlie Wetmore

recently attended an event for local officials called NEMO. It was a day of training on water quality issues in our area led by experts in the field. This month, I’d like to take the time to talk with you, in everyday terms, about some of the characteristics and issues that we face with waterways and pollution of them in the area we live.

I grew up in upstate New York. When a developer wanted to build a new housing development, they usually bought a corn field from a local farmer and put houses up on it. The trees were already cleared, drainage was already worked out and nobody was concerned about pollutants. Whatever pollutants there were washed into the storm drain, down the creek, into the river and out to sea - never to be heard from again. Because of the continual flushing action of the water, everything washed downstream.

Well, it doesn’t quite work that way in Beaufort County, SC. You see, 50% of all of the salt water marshes on the eastern coast are located in NC and SC. 50% of South Carolina’s salt water marshes are located in Beaufort County. That’s a lot. Also, the waterways in the watershed we live in are tidal waterways. That means that there is no flushing action like most everywhere else. The water goes out with the tide and then comes right back in with the tide. It takes a very very long time for pollutants to flush out of our water system.

One of the first questions I had when moving here almost 16 years ago was: What are these pollutants that we need to be concerned about? The three major ones are:

1. Animal (and human) waste: This can be anything from failed septic systems to a group of wild hogs that calls the headwaters of the New River their home (no, I’m not kidding).

2. Nitrogen and other chemicals: These come primarily from lawn fertilizers and other chemicals, as well as from fluids washed down drains from vehicles and other sources.

3. Sediment: Why do we worry about dirt/sand? Because they can carry pollutants and because pollutants stick to them and stay around longer. Also, the sediment can float over and cover our precious oyster beds, potentially choking them out.

The next question is: How do they get into our rivers? Basically they are dumped in via drain pipes or by running to the river over land too quickly. You see, the land is the best way to filter out pollutants. For example: If rain water runs off of a roof, down a concrete driveway, into a storm drain that empties into a stormwater pond, and then via a pipe that empties into the river when the water level is too high, then we have sent polluted water into the river. If this same water is discharged into the ground and allowed to soak in or into a rain barrel where the water in the barrel can then be used to water the lawn, then the pollutants will dissipate and not make it to the river.

And now, a final question: How can we stop the pollutants from reaching the rivers? My answer is twofold: the local government needs to buckle down and we, as local citizens, need to look at ways to buckle down as well.

The town is working on enacting a new Stormwater Management Ordinance that will require developers to hold to stricter standards regarding pollutants and their filtration. In my conversations, I have learned that it is highly likely that it will be the strongest in SC when it is enacted. It needs to be when you consider our watershed. The town also needs to work with developers and landowners in retrofitting properties to help protect our rivers and our way of life. This is happening and needs to continue. We also need to work with other area governments in enforcing these requirements. The majority of our riverbanks are actually not in the town of Bluffton. We can do everything perfect in town and still lose our waterways if we do not work with others. The Town of Bluffton is in the midst of negotiating an agreement to do just this.

As local land owners, there are things we can do to slow the water flow down on its way to the river:

1. If you live along a pond, consider planting vegetation to slow the flow of water from manicured lawns toward it. Spartina Grass is an excellent way to do this. There are other plants as well.

2. Make sure your house’s gutters drain away from your driveway (maybe to a rain garden). If you don’t have gutters, consider installing some to redirect the water that runs off your roof.

3. Also consider installing a rain barrel or cistern to collect the water that runs off of your roof. This water can then be used to water your lawn and will even help you to save money on your water bill.

4. When building a driveway or sidewalk consider using a pervious surface. This would be a surface that allows water to drain through it. Surfaces such as gravel, pervious pavers and even pervious concrete can be used to accomplish this.

5. Consider planting more trees in your yard. I’ve been told that an average pine tree around here sucks up 46 gallons of water a day during the summer (ever notice how your lawn looks a little more brown around these trees). The more trees we keep and/or plant, the less polluted water will make it to the rivers.

We live in the most beautiful area of the country (even with the pine pollen and sand fleas). Wonderful vistas, beautiful waterways, great weather and more make this the perfect place to live. We need to work as individuals and as a town to keep it that way. We have our work cut out for us as this area continues to grow. Let’s live up to the challenge.

For ideas or comments please feel free to email.
Email address: BlufftonTalkOfTheTown@gmail.com