Charleston Waterkeeper

06/12/2026

Time flies, and we're back for round two of this year's Word on the Water Series! 🌅🌈

Next Wednesday, we'll hop aboard with Coastal Expeditions and get the latest on what's happening in your estuary. Charleston Waterkeeper's own Cheryl Carmack-Smith will dive into the science behind local water quality, while Tia Clark of Casual Crabbing with Tia shares her unique perspective from the water.

Whether you're passionate about clean waterways, curious about local data, or just looking for a beautiful evening on the harbor, we hope to see you there! Grab your tickets: https://bit.ly/4xpxgEH

06/09/2026

Last week, represented by SELC, we sent a letter to Agru America, Frontier Logistics, Ray-Mont Logistics, and South Carolina Ports Authority explaining our intent to pursue legal action if they fail to stop polluting your waterways with plastic pellets.

This pollution has been an issue for years, and data shows we have one of the worst nurdle problems in the country. After documenting more than 25,000 nurdles in the Cooper River during recent sampling, we've seen enough.

This isn't the result of a one-time spill. It's chronic, ongoing pollution, and it's 100% preventable. We've held polluters accountable before and this action starts the clock on fixing this once and for all. Read more: https://bit.ly/4ftaR2W

06/08/2026

Wetland loss isn’t just changing the place we call home, it’s costing us millions.

As Jonah Chester reported yesterday, "In Charleston, along the lower Ashley River, the destruction of upstream wetlands has resulted in the loss of about $20.7 million in flood damage reduction since the 1980s. Along the lower Cooper River corridor, that loss is about $13.5 million from 1985 to 2023."

Wetlands are some of the most effective flood protection infrastructure we have. So long as we protect them correctly, they absorb stormwater, reduce flooding, protect communities, and work around the clock. That's why strong local wetland protections matter. Read more: https://bit.ly/4umyeyU

06/07/2026

Time and tide

06/01/2026

Spotted: some Shem Creek neighbors

06/01/2026

June already? We have some great events and ways for you to get involved with your waterways in the next few weeks. Kick off summer, jump in on some cleanups, and get Creek Watcher certified at this month's workshop. Plus, don't miss this next Word on the Water coming up on June 17th!

Take a look and get signed up: https://bit.ly/3VSBOSd

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

We just took action to protect the Charleston Harbor from harmful microplastics.

SELC and Charleston Waterkeeper today warned four facilities in the Charleston area that we intend to sue in federal court if they don’t stop polluting Charleston’s waters with microplastics called “nurdles”.

“We have tackled microplastic pollution in Charleston waters and won before and we are ready to do so again,” said Catherine Wannamaker, SELC Senior Attorney. “Clean water, marshes, beaches, and seafood are the lifeblood of our local economy and the character of the Lowcountry; microplastic pollution is an affront to all of that.”

For years, Charleston Waterkeeper’s sampling has revealed alarming numbers of microplastic pellets in Charleston's marshes and beaches. This pollution, traced to facilities that handle nurdles on the banks of the Cooper River, violates the federal Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Charleston Waterkeeper has found over 25,000 nurdles, representing just a tiny fraction of the total plastic pollution from these facilities in the environment.

“This problem is 100% preventable. These companies need to do a better job and stop polluting our estuary with microplastics that harm wildlife and water quality,” said Andrew Wunderley, Charleston’s Waterkeeper. “As long as this problem continues, we’ll act to hold the polluters accountable.”

Read more about plastic pollution in Charleston’s Harbor: https://bit.ly/4dVv9jd

Image credit: Joel Caldwell

05/26/2026

Nurdles: they're the talk of the town. Or the state, rather.

While we're counting plenty of them up along the coast, it's unfortunately not an isolated issue. Towards the midlands, our friends at Congaree Riverkeeper are finding them in Columbia's rivers and even in South Carolina's only national park, the Congaree National Forest. Pinpointing the upstream polluter, the riverkeeper is seeking enforcement of environmental laws and a solution for widespread nurdle eradication. Read more from The State: https://bit.ly/4dvE9fY

Photo from Congaree Riverkeeper