“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), is creating a Stakeholder Engagement Plan by Oct. 31, 2024, to ensure that relevant stakeholders have a voice in shaping the state’s water policy. WaterSC is then tasked with providing a report to the General Assembly’s Surface Water Study Committee by Jan. 31, 2025, informing the committee of the current state of surface water in South Carolina and recommending changes to current laws to ensure sustainable surface water withdrawal practices.
