World Water Monitoring Day: Protecting South Carolina’s Most Vital Resource

Clean, safe water is essential for every community, every ecosystem and every future. That’s why each year, World Water Monitoring Day serves as a global reminder of the importance of protecting water quality and empowering citizens to take part in caring for this vital resource.

Established in 2003, World Water Monitoring Day began as an educational outreach initiative designed to engage students, families and communities in simple testing of their local rivers, lakes, streams and estuaries. Using accessible water testing kits, participants around the world measure key indicators like temperature, pH, clarity and dissolved oxygen, factors that help reveal the overall health of a water body.

Why It Matters for South Carolina

Here in South Carolina, water is one of our most valuable natural resources. Our rivers, lakes and coastal estuaries support recreation, wildlife habitats, agriculture and clean drinking water for our communities. Protecting these resources requires consistent monitoring, collaboration and public awareness, exactly the kind of spirit World Water Monitoring Day encourages.

At the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), our Bureau of Water works year-round to safeguard water quality across the state. Through monitoring programs, permitting and community outreach, we help ensure that South Carolina’s waters remain safe and healthy for generations to come.

Some of our work includes:

• Monitoring Programs – Tracking the health of rivers, lakes and streams to detect changes in water quality.
• Permitting & Compliance – Ensuring industries and municipalities follow state and federal regulations that protect water resources.
• Community Engagement – Partnering with schools, organizations and volunteers to raise awareness of water stewardship.

How You Can Get Involved

World Water Monitoring Day is about more than scientific testing, it’s about connection. By learning more about your local waterways, you can better understand the role they play in your community and how to protect them.
Here are some ways to take part:

• Explore Local Waterways: Visit a nearby stream, lake or river and observe its condition.
• Educate Yourself: Learn more about water quality and conservation through trusted resources.
• Join the Effort: Connect with SCDES programs that support clean water.

Protecting Today, Preserving Tomorrow

World Water Monitoring Day reminds us that clean water is not guaranteed, it is safeguarded through science, responsibility and community action. At SCDES, we are committed to protecting South Carolina’s waters so that future generations can enjoy the same rivers, lakes and coastal beauty we treasure today.

Learn more about how the SCDES Bureau of Water protects our state’s water resources: https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-water.