Dams

• Beginning today, we have dam inspectors in the field performing post-storm assessments of high- and significant-hazard dams in heavily impacted areas of the state. 
• These post-storm assessments allow us to observe whether any immediate actions need taken by the dam owners to protect the structural integrity of the dams from the impacts of substantial rainfall. 

Private Drinking Water Well Owners

• Private well owners, particularly those in the PeeDee and Lowcountry where flooding is most likely to be a concern, should monitor their private wells to see if they were impacted by floodwaters.   
• If your well is flooded, you can contact our Private Well Hotline at 1-888-761-5989 for guidance and information about how you can have your well water tested and your well disinfected.  
• We have additional information and resources on our Private Well webpage at des.sc.gov/flooddrinkingwatersafety. 

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

• SCDES continues to work closely with our state’s drinking water and wastewater utilities, providing assistance as they implement their emergency plans.  
• We’re also continuing to remain in communication with our state’s wastewater facilities and making sure they understand when they need to issue public notifications if they experience any sanitary sewer overflows.  
• Wastewater providers have 24 hours to notify SCDES of sanitary sewer overflows and those notifications are available on our main SCDES Wastewater webpage. Because wastewater utilities have 24 hours to investigate the overflow and report the information to us, we encourage everyone to monitor for information from their local wastewater providers for any possible sanitary sewer overflows in their area. 

Coastal Properties  

• The Bureau of Coastal Management is beginning to perform post-storm damage assessments along the coast. 
• We encourage residents to use our MyCoast app to submit photos to us of beachfront damage.  
• MyCoast helps us collect and analyze pictures and data about coastal impacts, and the information reported to us helps us efficiently analyze post-storm beachfront structures and expedite permitting or other decisions. 

Coordinating with Local Officials  

• SCDES continues to interact closely with local emergency response officials to communicate potential for environmental hazards. We are also coordinating with local, state and federal partners on our response. 
• Residents should monitor for updates and information from their local officials and be sure to follow the recommendations of local authorities.  

Stay out of Stormwater

• We continue to urge South Carolinians to avoid flood waters and use extreme caution around them. Stormwater contains harmful bacteria, wastewater, chemicals from urban runoff and other contaminants that can pose health risks if you come into contact with it. Stormwater can also contain dangerous debris.

Dams

• Our Dam Safety Program staff continue to be available for dam and reservoir owners around the state.  
• In addition to the pre-storm assessments our dam safety experts performed, we also perform post-storm assessments as soon as we safely can after the storm impacts subside. 
• Beginning Friday morning, we will have dam inspectors out in the field assessing high and significant hazard dams in heavily impacted areas.  
• These post-storm assessments are significant in that they allow us to observe the conditions of dams to see if any immediate actions need taken by the dam owners.

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

• SCDES continues to work closely with our state’s drinking water and wastewater utilities, providing assistance as they implement their emergency plans.  
• Regarding wastewater, we’re continuing to remain in communication with our state’s wastewater facilities and making sure they understand when they need to issue public notifications if they experience any sanitary sewer overflows.  
• Wastewater providers have 24 hours to notify SCDES of sanitary sewer overflows and those notifications are available on our main SCDES Wastewater webpage. Because wastewater utilities have 24 hours to investigate the overflow and report the information to us, we encourage everyone to monitor for information from their local wastewater providers for any possible sanitary sewer overflows in their area. 

Coastal Properties  

• SCDES has issued Emergency Orders in the state’s eight coastal counties allowing property owners along the immediate beachfront to take preventive measures to protect their properties from impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.    
• These emergency orders allow for minor renourishment, sand scraping and the installation of sandbags, with the goal of property owners having the ability to take proactive, pre-storm efforts to minimize impacts from the tropical storm.  
• Our Bureau of Coastal Management is preparing to have staff begin performing post-storm damage assessments along the coast beginning on Friday. 

Coordinating with Local Officials  

• SCDES continues to interact closely with local emergency response officials to communicate potential for environmental hazards. We are also coordinating with local, state and federal partners on our response. 
• Residents should monitor for updates and information from their local officials and be sure to follow the recommendations of local authorities.  

Stay out of Stormwater

• As the storm reaches landfall, we continue to urge South Carolinians to avoid flood waters and use extreme caution around them.  
• Stormwater contains harmful bacteria, wastewater, chemicals from urban runoff and other contaminants that can pose health risks if you come into contact with it. Stormwater can also contain dangerous debris.

Dams

• SCDES Dam Safety Program has communicated with more than 2,400 dam owners beginning Sunday, Aug 4, advising them to assess whether they need to lower water levels, clear debris, and otherwise prepare their dam for impacts from Tropical Storm Debby.   
• We have performed pre-storm assessments at certain dams around the state and haven’t identified any heightened safety concerns beyond their known status. 
• Our Dam Safety Program is preparing to perform post-storm assessments at dams around the state beginning Friday morning to make any recommendations to dam owners in order to help protect the structural integrity of dams as localized flooding is expected to continue.
• Our Dam Safety Program staff continue to be available for dam and reservoir owners around the state. 

Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

• SCDES continues to work closely with our state’s drinking water and wastewater providers, providing assistance as they implement their emergency plans.  
• We are also working with our collaborative partners including South Carolina Rural Water Association and SC Water Wastewater Agency Response Network to offer assistance during and after the storm. 

Coastal Properties  

• SCDES has issued Emergency Orders in the state’s eight coastal counties allowing property owners along the immediate beachfront to take preventive measures to protect their properties from impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.  
• These emergency orders allow for minor renourishment, sand scraping and the installation of sandbags, with the goal of property owners having the ability to take proactive, pre-storm efforts to minimize impacts from the tropical storm.  

Coordinating with Local Officials  

• SCDES continues to interact closely with local emergency response officials to communicate potential for environmental hazards. We are also coordinating with local, state and federal partners on our response. 
• Residents should monitor for updates and information from their local officials and be sure to follow the recommendations of local authorities

Stay out of Stormwater

• As the storm reaches landfall, we continue to urge South Carolinians to avoid flood waters and use extreme caution around them. In addition to turning around and not attempting to drive through floodwaters, you should avoid walking or wading in them as well.   
• Storm water contains harmful bacteria, wastewater, chemicals from urban runoff and other contaminants that can pose health risks if you come into contact with it. Stormwater can also contain dangerous debris.