Water Resources
Water resources world-wide are considered tremendous. Three quarters of the earth's surface is made up of water. However, 97% of the world's water is salty and of little direct value to man. Another two percent of our water is tied-up as ice.
This leaves only one percent of all our world's water available for direct use by man. South Carolina has many water quality problems that further limit the use of this precious resource. Studies by SCDHEC show that 43percent of our streams and rivers are impaired. In addition, 7 percent of our lakes and 23 percent of our coastal waters are also impaired and we have restrictions or closures on 70 percent of our shellfish areas.
Most of our water quality problems are from nonpoint source pollution (NPS) or urbanization. NPS pollution is the result of runoff originating in from many different sources. Following a heavy rain event, runoff water may move sediment from a improperly managed construction site, logging operations or plowed fields. The runoff may also carry pesticides from our lawns and farming operations. Of concern to human health is the introduction of bacteria from pet areas in our yards, hobby farms or poorly managed animal production and livestock operations.
Clemson is actively conducting research and providing outreach education on water quality issues. We work cooperatively on these problems with counties, state and federal agencies, and private organization involved with conserving our most important natural resource, water.
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