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A new era in environmental protection.

Formerly a part of DHEC, SCDES is committed to preserving South Carolina’s air, land, water and coast through Science, Service and Sustainability.

About SCDES

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Bureau of Water

BOW protects the state’s water resources for drinking, swimming, fishing and other uses that benefit all South Carolinians.

Bureau of Water

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Bureau of Land and Waste Management

BLWM has critical oversight of certain industries, like landfills and mines, that helps safeguard our state’s land resources.

Bureau of Land and Waste Management

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Bureau of Air Quality

BAQ protects the air we breathe by ensuring industries comply with state and federal air quality standards.

Bureau of Air Quality

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Bureau of Coastal Management

BCM helps ensure the appropriate use, development and conservation of South Carolina's irreplaceable coastal resources.

Bureau of Coastal Management

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Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services

BRLS responds to environmental incidents, samples and monitors air and water, and investigates tips received from the public.

Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services

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Public Notices

Beach Monitoring Season

SCDES samples water at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's coast from May 1 - October 1. If elevated levels of bacteria are detected, advisories are issued for that monitoring location. An advisory means that SCDES advises you NOT to swim in those areas. Advisories do not mean that the beach is closed. Wading, fishing, and shell collecting do not pose a risk.

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Permitting Dashboard and Resources

SCDES remains committed to modernizing its permit review processes while also guiding how our state grows responsibly. Our goal is to issue permits within 90 days, upholding the standards for environmental protection, while also providing guidance to improve the quality of applications. While many programs already meet the 90-day timeframe, SCDES is always looking to implement innovative strategies and identify areas for continuous improvement.

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WaterSC

WaterSC was created to work across state agencies and with key stakeholders to guide the development of an updated state water plan that ensures the long-term protection of the state’s water resources as demand increases from record-breaking economic development and population growth. In December 2025, WaterSC published the 2025 South Carolina State Water Plan, a comprehensive, data-driven report developed to ensure the long-term protection of the state’s water resources.

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Ozone Monitoring Season

From April 1 through September 30, SCDES provides a daily forecast for ground-level ozone concentrations across the state. These forecasts help South Carolinians take simple steps to protect their health on days when ozone levels are expected to be elevated.

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Office of Compliance Assistance

Introducing the SCDES Office of Compliance Assistance (OCA)! OCA facilitates communication between the regulated community and SCDES through phone consultations, online surveys, email, general permitting guidance, problem solving, compliance assistance visits, and both virtual and in-person meetings and training opportunities. Through development and implementation of these compliance assistance activities, OCA’s goal is to reduce pollution, increase the level of understanding of environmental requirements and prevent violations before they occur.

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Jobs & Careers

SCDES is dedicated to helping people live healthy lives in healthy communities. With more than 1,200 employees in more than a dozen offices across the state, SCDES has a diverse team of employees who are leaders in their fields and share a passion for making a difference.

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News

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Wednesday, January 14, 2026 6:30 pm -

Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam Public Meeting

The SC Department of Environmental Services is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, January 14th at 6:30 PM at the Revolutionary War Visitors Center to once again discuss the Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam with members of the Sunnyhill community.  Since the first meeting on August 28, 2024, the City of Camden hired an engineering firm to conduct a preliminary investigation into the severity of the condition of the dam.  While this effort did not yield a conclusive understanding of the condition of the dam and the scope of the needed repairs, we at least know what needs to be furt

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Events

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Thursday, June 11, 2026 6:00 pm -

Liberty Steel Public Meeting

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is holding a public meeting to discuss the executed Voluntary Cleanup Contract for the Liberty Steel Property located in Georgetown, SC. At this meeting, SCDES, the developer, the environmental consultant, and other participants will provide an overview of the project.

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Blog

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Tuesday, May 5, 2026

SCDES Highlights South Carolina’s Clean Air During National Air Quality Awareness Week

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