Bluffton urges dog owners to help protect the May River

Bluffton town leaders are asking residents to help protect the May River in an unusual but vital way: by picking up after their pets.

The campaign, launched August 18th, 2025, stresses that dog waste is more than a nuisance — it’s a significant source of bacteria that can harm water quality and public health when left on sidewalks, trails or even in backyards. Rain carries it into storm drains and creeks that empty into the May River, a delicate ecosystem central to Bluffton’s identity and economy.

According to the Town’s Water Quality Program, bacteria from dog waste has been detected more than 75 times so far in 2025. Officials say the message is simple: clean up after your dog every time, no matter where it happens.

Dog waste by the numbers
• South Carolina is home to an estimated 1.42 million dogs.

• Each dog produces about three-quarters of a pound of waste a day.
• Statewide, that adds up to more than a million pounds of dog waste every day.
• Just one gram of dog waste can contain as many as 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which can cause illness in people who come in contact with contaminated water.
• Town officials warn that beyond health risks, dog waste contributes excess nutrients that fuel algal blooms, threatening aquatic life and degrading the May River’s ecosystem.

Tools and resources

To make responsible pet ownership easier, Bluffton provides and maintains dog waste stations in its public parks. This month, residents can also pick up a free leash-mounted waste bag holder at the Town of Bluffton Welcome Center, 111 Calhoun Street, while supplies last.

Officials recommend that owners always carry bags, dispose of them in the trash or flush waste without the bag, and talk with neighbors about why scooping the poop matters.

A regional effort
Bluffton is part of Lowcountry Stormwater Partners, a consortium of Beaufort County jurisdictions working with Clemson Extension’s Carolina Clear program. The initiative educates residents about the connection between daily habits and water quality, from pet waste to stormwater runoff.

Resources on pet waste and water protection are available at Lowcountry Stormwater Partners and Clemson Extension’s pet waste facts page.

Protecting a community treasure
The May River has long been considered Bluffton’s heart, supporting fishing, recreation and tourism. Officials say protecting it requires small steps from every resident, especially dog owners.

The town’s bottom line: love your dog and love the river — scoop the poop, every time.