The Saluda and Congaree rivers are vital to Lexington County.

A coalition that was organized with the help of the Congaree Riverkeeper is checking river water quality.

In the summer, a plethora of tubers, kayakers, canoers and swimmers can be found on the rivers that run through metropolitan Columbia.

“All greens again” which means healthy quality river water was the reading Wednesday on the How’s My River? app.

The app displays the results from water quality samples. The testing stops begin at Saluda Shoals Park on the Saluda and continue to the Rosewood Drive Landing on the Congaree.

You can access the How’s My River app at: How’s My River?

Bill Stangler of the Congaree Riverkeeper said the water quality is being checked weekly by a private testing firm. He said he has accompanied the testers as they make their rounds.

“The tests will be regular during times of high recreational use of the rivers,” Stangler said.

The water has been tested for three weeks and the tests will be conducted until late October.

Stangler said there have been no sewage spills or upsets at any wastewater treatment plants on the rivers.

“Last year the there was a 17-day swim advisory,” said Stangler. That advisory was issued in late June after sewage made its way into the Saluda and Congaree rivers from the Friarsgate sewage plant owned by Carolina Water Service. Carolina Water Service has since been fined and ordered to clean up its operation.

Stangler said during periods of rain in the summer waste is washed into the river, and he expects that runoff will result in a lower-quality reading of the river water at some point.

He said higher bacteria levels occur in rivers 24-to-48 hours after it has rained.

Stangler said the readings taken Wednesday are along the rivers, but there is more of a threat of pollution in urban streams.