Public Input Open for Draft 2025 South Carolina Water Plan | | |
SCDES invites all South Carolinians to review and comment on the draft 2025 South Carolina Water Plan and provide comments and input by Dec. 7. This updated water plan is the state's long-term guide for protecting and managing water resources, ensuring their sustainable use as South Carolina continues to grow.
The updated plan is the result of more than a year of collaboration involving WaterSC (established by Governor Henry McMaster in 2024), the state's River Basin Councils, and stakeholders from various industries and communities.
SCDES Director and WaterSC Chair Myra Reece states, "We welcome the public’s input as we finalize this important plan." Review the draft plan, submit comments and more at des.sc.gov/WaterSC.
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Environmental Excellence Advanced at the 2025 Environmental Assistance Conference
SCDES successfully hosted the 2025 Environmental Assistance Conference, which brought together over 450 environmental compliance professionals, consultants, and local government representatives. The event was marked by a full house and a strong focus on connecting ideas, collaboration, and innovation.
SCDES Director Myra Reece kicked off the day with inspiring opening remarks, setting the tone for a day focused on advancing environmental excellence across South Carolina. The conference featured a comprehensive agenda, with sessions covering critical topics such as permitting, compliance, environmental programs, and regulatory updates.
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SCDES Celebrates GIS Day
SCDES celebrated GIS Day by recognizing the innovative work of our nine-member GIS team, led by Ken Compton.
Earlier this year, Ken and Jeannie Eidson (pictured) partnered with the S.C. Emergency Management Division on GIS projects during Hurricane Helene that were featured in an Esri publication. The team also completed a major transition of the entire GIS Enterprise and Portal, strengthening performance and ensuring continuity for agency operations statewide.
We’re proud of our GIS team and the vital role they play in supporting environmental protection, emergency response, public health, and data-driven decisions across South Carolina.
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Air Quality Staff Attend EPA Region 4 Directors Meeting
SCDES Bureau of Air Quality staff attended the Fall EPA Region 4 Air Directors meeting in Huntsville, Ala. Air quality professionals from 10 Southeastern states gathered to discuss program successes and challenges and to hear updates for EPA Region 4 leadership and EPA Headquarters.
The meeting was sponsored by the Southeastern States Air Resource Managers, Inc. (SESARM) and Metro4 air quality organizations. Rhonda Thompson, SCDES's Chief of the Bureau of Air Quality, was voted as Chair of SESARM during the board meeting. Rhonda previously served as Vice Chair of SESARM.
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Don't Dump the Drip: Keep Holiday Grease Out of the Drain!
The holiday season is in full swing, bringing with it delicious meals and plenty of cooking grease, fats, and oils (GFOs). While those drippings may look liquid now, pouring them down the sink is a recipe for plumbing disaster!
GFOs harden inside your pipes and in our municipal sewer systems, leading to costly clogs and major backups in your home and community. The Solution: cool, collect and recycle!
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Cool it: Allow the grease to cool solidify in the pan.
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Collect it: Scrape the solidified grease into a sturdy container (an old coffee can or glass jar).
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Dispose Properly: Place the sealed container in the trash or, even better, recycle it!
Learn how and where to recycle used cooking oil in South Carolina to help protect our environment and sewer infrastructure.
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SC Adopt-a-Stream Program Featured in SC Wildlife Magazine
SCDES is proud to announce that the SC Adopt-a-Stream program is
featured in the latest issue of South Carolina Wildlife Magazine.
You may already be familiar with South Carolina Wildlife, as the magazine spans seven decades and is treasured by many generations of subscribers. South Carolina Wildlife is the flagship publication of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, continuously published since 1954!
The comprehensive article, written by SCDES program coordinator Jaclin DuRant, explores how this statewide volunteer monitoring program empowers citizens to collect essential water quality data, providing valuable baseline information that supports the protection and management of South Carolina’s diverse aquatic ecosystems.
We celebrate the dedicated volunteers and staff who make this impactful program a success.
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SCDES Celebrates
America Recycles Day
SCDES thanks residents, local governments, businesses, schools, colleges, universities and other organizations for doing their part to make recycling work in South Carolina. Recycling prevents pollution and conserves natural resources while supporting significant economic impacts through jobs and industry.
America Recycles Day aims to increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of recycling, inspire each of us to recycle more, and inform residents how to recycle right.
The agency’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling provides invaluable resources to make recycling easy for South Carolinians all year long. Learn more at des.sc.gov/recycling.
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Electronic Signature Agreements Now Available in ePermitting
We’re pleased to announce that Electronic Signature Agreements can now be submitted through ePermitting.
This new feature allows verified users to complete the process online, eliminating the need for paper forms and helping reduce delays. This enhancement was developed in direct response to customer feedback, and we’re excited to offer a more streamlined, efficient experience.
Training materials and step-by-step instructions are available on our website. Thank you for your continued input and support as we modernize our services.
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SCDES Director Myra Reece Featured in USC's Pioneering Perspective Series
SCDES Director Myra Reece was recently spotlighted in the University of South Carolina’s Pioneering Perspective Series, part of the Arnold School of Public Health's 50th-anniversary celebration. Reece is a 1993 alumna of USC’s Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences program.
Reflecting on her education, Director Reece stated, “I really do think that because of my experience and educational background that I see challenges and opportunities from many perspectives, and that helps me to be relatable to the wide variety of stakeholders we have as an environmental agency.”
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SCDES Wins 2025 PEBA Partners State Agency Award for
Employee Well-'Beeing'
SCDES has been selected as the 2025 PEBA Partners State Agency Award winner for creating a physically, emotionally, and financially healthier workplace! "Our Human Resource Department’s mission is ‘investing in those that serve,’" said Benefits Director Debbie Byrd.
The award recognizes our comprehensive employee support, including ongoing learning opportunities, on-site preventive screenings, and personalized support.
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SC's 2030 Goal: Review the FY 2024 Solid Waste Report to Boost Recycling
Recycling 101: Did you know South Carolina has a recycling goal of diverting 50% of the material going to landfills into recycling by 2030?
Currently, the state’s recycling rate is 21.2% with residents throwing away 3.8 pounds of trash per person per day. Take a look at the historical health of recycling in the state presented in the S.C. Solid Waste Management Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024.
Data in this report helps to guide counties in determining their yearly budgets, leading to more infrastructure and opportunities for recycling.
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Thirteen Schools Win Champions of the Environment Grants!
Congrats to the Champions of the Environment Winners! SCDES is thrilled to announce that 13 South Carolina schools have been awarded grants as this year’s Champions of the Environment! Find the complete list of winners at des.sc.gov/champions. These grants support K-12 educational projects focused on:
- Pollution/waste reduction
- Water/energy efficiency
- Preservation of natural areas
This crucial program helps foster the next generation of environmental stewards in our state! A huge thank you to our sponsors: Dominion Energy, Sylvamo, and the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. We can't wait to see these amazing projects in action!
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King Tides Alert: Expect Higher-Than-Usual Tides Dec. 3–6
South Carolina can expect higher-than-usual tides on Dec. 3–6. These King Tides help us understand how extreme tides impact our beaches, coastal waterways, and communities.
SCDES leads the South Carolina King
Tides Initiative and invites residents to document flooding and tidal impacts by sharing photos from your area. Your observations help track changes and support coastal resilience efforts.
| | | | Where Passion Meets Preservation | | As the state agency that protects and preserves South Carolina's environment, SCDES seeks talented individuals to join our team. We are scientists, engineers and inspectors as well as collaborators, educators, and public servants who work to ensure all South Carolinians have a healthy environment. | | | | |
