NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Over the past week the City has received questions about the water quality and safety of those participating in water activities in the lake at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex.
The lake at the Park and Sports Complex is permitted by the SC Department of Health and Environment Control (DHEC) as a natural swimming area. Natural swimming areas are required to take two water samples per month during the operational season. These samples are analyzed for E.Coli. If the sample is greater than 349 colonies/100 ml the area must be closed. The August water samples results showed less than 1 colony/100 ml and 44.8 colonies/100ml respectively, both well below the maximum threshold.
Since testing began in 2017, no sample has ever tested greater than the maximum allowance and the lake has never been closed.
The City also received questions about algae that is present in some portions of the lake. The City contracted with an environmental expert who inspected and determined the algae present is non-toxic, non-harmful common green algae which is present in most natural swim areas and ponds.
The algae presents no danger to the those utilizing the lake amenities.
Many lakes/ponds experience algae growth at this time of year due to environmental conditions such as heat, humidity, and rain fall. City staff will be treating the lake with an aquatic safe algaecide.
The lake is home to Shark Wake Park 843, the area’s only cable wake boarding park. In addition to wake boarding, Shark Wake Park 843 offers obstacle island, an inflatable floating playground.
For more information visit www.SharkWakePark.com.