South Carolina Harmful Algal Bloom Network
What are Harmful Algal Blooms(HABs)?
Algae are tiny plant-like organisms that live in fresh and salt water, and most are important sources of food for aquatic animals. Some algae grow quickly and form "blooms". Some algae species produce toxins that cause harm to humans, animals and ecosystems. When blooms of toxin producing algae "bloom", it is called a Harmful Algal Bloom (or HAB).
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Many organizations provide education and outreach on HABs around the country. The following are recommended resource links for further information.
https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs - Information on freshwater HABs from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/hab/ - Information on HABs nationwide and regional issues from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
https://des.sc.gov/HABs - Information on South Carolina HABs from the S.C. Department of Environmental Services
https://www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html
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SC DES’s HAB monitoring program consists of:
1. Monitoring ambient water (lakes and estuaries) for baseline toxin levels
1.1 Monitored from May through October
2. Source water protection for drinking water
2.1 Monitor drinking water sources with a history of algal and/or taste and odor issues. May through October
3. Sampling and/or issuing advisories in waters of the state
4. Complaint Based Sampling
Private ponds/stormwater ponds are typically not sampled and are referred to Clemson Extension as an additional resource for HAB pond management and mitigation.
Contacts
Report a Fish Kill or Environmental Emergency
The SC DES’s Environmental Emergency Response is manned 24-hours a day. To report an environmental emergency, contact: 1-888-481-0125
Report a Harmful Algal Bloom
To report a suspected harmful algal bloom in public water bodies, contact: 803-898-8374