SC Department of Environmental Services

SC Department of Environmental Services A new era in environmental protection. SCDES is committed to preserving SC’s air, land, water and coast through Science, Service and Sustainability.

Stay in the loop with SCDES! Follow us for real-time emergency alerts and trusted information when it matters most. We a...
06/07/2026

Stay in the loop with SCDES! Follow us for real-time emergency alerts and trusted information when it matters most. We also share local success stories and practical tips to help protect SC’s natural beauty. Hit follow and share to help keep your community informed and prepared!

You don’t have to wait for a heat wave to arrive to begin protecting yourself. Here are some tips to prepare for extreme...
06/07/2026

You don’t have to wait for a heat wave to arrive to begin protecting yourself. Here are some tips to prepare for extreme heat.

For more safety tips visit weather.gov/heat.

Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safe...
06/06/2026

Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning

As an update on the April fish kill in Lake Greenwood, SCDES and SCDNR have received extensive fish sampling results. A ...
06/05/2026

As an update on the April fish kill in Lake Greenwood, SCDES and SCDNR have received extensive fish sampling results.

A summary of results and comprehensive report are available at https://bit.ly/4e78Jvk.

SCDES Director Myra Reece participated in Governor McMaster’s Hurricane Tabletop Exercise today. As part of the State Em...
06/05/2026

SCDES Director Myra Reece participated in Governor McMaster’s Hurricane Tabletop Exercise today. As part of the State Emergency Response Team, SCDES has critical roles in supporting hurricane preparedness, response and recovery in South Carolina, including coordinating with dam and reservoir owners, performing coastal assessments, and supporting drinking water and wastewater utilities that may be impacted by severe weather. Learn more at des.sc.gov/storms.

SCDES has issued a Recreational Watch for a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in a small area of Lake Murray, Clouds Creek arm. ...
06/05/2026

SCDES has issued a Recreational Watch for a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in a small area of Lake Murray, Clouds Creek arm. SCDES's Algal Bloom Monitoring Map (https://scdes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4344886507b04e32987fd8b44f8ed7ed) has been updated to reflect this Recreational Watch.

There are currently also active HAB watches for portions of Lake Hartwell and Goose Creek Reservoir.

SCDES recommends:
• surveying this area of the lake before swimming or recreating
• avoiding direct contact with lake water in areas where the HAB is observed
• keeping pets and animals from swimming in or drinking from the lake in areas where the HAB is observed

HABs are a common, natural occurrence in lakes, but they can cause health impacts to people or pets that come into contact with the algae. Learn more at des.sc.gov/habs.

For more information or to report a possible algal bloom sighting, contact SCDES’s Bureau of Water HAB hotline at 803-898-8374 or email [email protected]. If calling after hours, please leave a message that can be returned.

The SCDES Shellfish Sanitation Program ensures that oysters, clams, and mussels meet strict health and environmental qua...
06/05/2026

The SCDES Shellfish Sanitation Program ensures that oysters, clams, and mussels meet strict health and environmental quality standards before they reach your plate!

With 465 monitoring sites, we conduct routine water quality testing to keep South Carolina’s shellfish-growing areas safe and sustainable.

Learn more about how we protect public health and our coastal waters: des.sc.gov/shellfish

SCDES has issued a Code Orange Ozone Action Day for the Upstate region of South Carolina in effect from 10 AM to 8 PM ED...
06/04/2026

SCDES has issued a Code Orange Ozone Action Day for the Upstate region of South Carolina in effect from 10 AM to 8 PM EDT Friday.

Dominant high pressure will make sure cloud cover will be minimal, atmospheric moisture will remain relatively low, and winds will be light. These factors will allow for sufficient ozone production, compounding with weak pollutant dispersion characteristics of an already pollutant-loaded atmosphere.

All other regions: CODE YELLOW

An ozone action day means that atmospheric conditions will likely produce unhealthy concentrations of ground level ozone air pollution. A Code Orange forecast indicates that ground level ozone concentrations are expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, which includes people with lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, and do less intense activities, especially during afternoon and early evening hours. You can help prevent ozone pollution by walking or riding your bicycle, taking your lunch to work, reducing idling, conserving energy, and keeping your vehicle properly tuned. For additional information, please visit the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services website at https://bit.ly/3QmV37B or the Environmental Protection Agency AirNow website at https://bit.ly/3QpwTHp.

South Carolina Air Quality Forecast: https://bit.ly/4dRlz25.

Our Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) recently participated in the 57th Annual Spring Technical Workshop and Forum hosted by t...
06/04/2026

Our Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) recently participated in the 57th Annual Spring Technical Workshop and Forum hosted by the Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association (CAPCA) in Asheville, North Carolina. The conference brought together professionals from North and South Carolina, representing air quality agencies, regulated industries and environmental organizations, to exchange insights on regulatory updates, enforcement practices, monitoring techniques, policy developments and emerging research on air quality and public health.

The event featured SCDES leadership including Director Myra Reece and Bureau of Air Quality Chief Rhonda Thompson. Myra spoke during the State Environmental Agency Leaders Session, highlighting South Carolina’s priorities including compliance assistance, permit central and energy investment initiatives. Rhonda provided updates on the state’s air quality program, including developments related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, new monitoring requirements, economic growth impacts, energy infrastructure projects and advancements in air permitting such as improved timeframes and the Permitting Transparency Dashboard.

📢 Now Hiring with SCDES! We’re seeking a dedicated professional to join our team as an Industrial Wastewater Engineering...
06/03/2026

📢 Now Hiring with SCDES! We’re seeking a dedicated professional to join our team as an Industrial Wastewater Engineering Associate (III).

📆 Applications are open now through June 14

ℹ️ This role involves reviewing engineering reports, plans, models, and data analyses related to industrial wastewater discharges and treatment systems to ensure compliance with state and federal water quality regulations. You will provide guidance to industry representatives, consulting engineers, public officials, and citizens to support understanding and compliance with industrial wastewater permitting requirements.
If you’re looking for meaningful work that takes you outdoors, on the water, and into the field—this could be the role for you.

🔗 Apply today and be part of something meaningful: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sc/scdes/jobs/5358901/industrial-wastewater-engineering-associate-iii.

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2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC
29212

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Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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