“The formation of WaterSC will unite South Carolina’s top minds and key stakeholders to craft a plan that balances our economic and environmental interests, which will ensure that our water resources are plentiful and that our economy remains strong for generations to come." —Gov. Henry McMaster
"As the state’s new environmental agency, we at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services are honored and excited to lead WaterSC as a collaborative effort to preserve, sustain, and manage our state's water resources for present and future use." —Myra Reece, SCDES Interim Director
WaterSC Water Resources Working Group
On Sept. 24, 2024, Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2024-22, establishing the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group (WaterSC). WaterSC works across state agencies and with key stakeholders to develop a state water plan that balances South Carolina's economic and environmental interests to ensure the long-term protection of the state’s water resources as demand increases from record-breaking economic development and population growth.
WaterSC, led by the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), adopted a Stakeholder Engagement Plan on Oct. 31, 2024, to ensure that relevant stakeholders have a voice in shaping the state’s water policy.
On Jan. 31, 2025, WaterSC Chair Myra Reece provided a status update of WaterSC's work and requested guidance on submitting the remaining reports ordered in Executive Order No. 2024-22. Gov. Henry McMaster provided the following supplemental guidance and clarification to WaterSC and SCDES:
- The Chair of WaterSC, or her designee, shall provide quarterly updates or reports to the SWSC on the activities and progress of WaterSC during the period preceding the SWSC meeting.
- DES shall consider the perspectives and recommendations of WaterSC and its participants in developing the updated State Water Plan, which shall include or be accompanied by a summary of the activities of WaterSC and identify any relevant issues, recommendations, or other related matters on which the participants of WaterSC reached a consensus.
