Public Meeting for Santee River Basin Planning Activities
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Control (SCDES) is holding two public meetings to kick-off river basin planning activities in the lower Santee River Basin. The meetings will serve as an opportunity to engage with the public about water planning and to seek volunteers interested in serving on a council that will develop and implement the water plan for the Santee basin. During the…, Monday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m., West Columbia, Phillips Market Center 117 Ballard Ct. West Columbia, SC 29172 [ Directions via Google Maps ] , Thursday, Oct. 10 6-8 p.m., North Charleston, Trident Technical College, Thornley Campus 7000 Rivers Avenue Building 920, Amphitheater (Rm 791) North Charleston, SC 29406 [ Directions via Google Maps ]Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Event
Drop-off you lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable devices (smartphones, tablets, electric toothbrushes, laptops, power tool batteries) to have them properly disposed of. Batteries don't belong in the trash or recycling bin – they should be properly recycled to reduce risks to people and the environment.SCDES Partners with SWANA, Redwood Materials to Host Battery Drop-off Event and Promote Safe Disposal of Rechargeable Batteries
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The, South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), is joining the South Carolina Chapter of the, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA, ) to recognize its “Safety Day” by reminding the public about the dangers of improperly disposing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. To support SC SWANA’s Safety Day initiative, SCDES is partnering with, Redwood Materials, to host a, rechargeable battery drop-off event in Columbia on Sept. 19., SC SWANA’s Safety Day aims to promote safe practices at solid waste facilities, and educating the public about the risks of improperly disposed of batteries supports this effort. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of rechargeable battery, and they’re used in an array of household products, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, electric toothbrushes, power tool batteries, rechargeable…, said SCDES Interim Director Myra Reece., “These batteries should not be placed in the garbage or recycling containers – doing so could put sanitation workers, solid waste professionals, firefighters and others in danger.” It’s estimated that lithium-ion batteries improperly placed in recyclables collected from households cause an estimated 5,000 fires annually at recycling facilities according to a recent report. The number of fires is…, said Ed Marr, Co-Chair of SCSWANA’s Safety Committee., “Safety is always a priority in our industry. More and more of these potentially dangerous materials are making their way into our waste stream. It’s efforts like this that will keep our personnel, customers and facilities safer. SCDES is happy to support SC SWANA’s Safety Day by partnering with Redwood Materials, a leading rechargeable battery recycler in South Carolina, for this battery drop-…, Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Event , 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, Front lobby of SCDES 2600 Bull St., Columbia, Bring your lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable devices including smartphones, tablets, electric toothbrushes, laptops, power tool batteries, rechargeable vacuum batteries, wireless headphones, and any other lithium-ion battery to be properly recycled. For loose lithium-ion or nickel-metal-hydride batteries, please tape both ends of the battery. Please remove all personal data from devices…, redwoodmaterials.com/recycle-with-us, for more information., “Redwood Materials is thrilled to partner with SCDES and SC SWANA on this important initiative — we encourage citizens to clean out their junk drawers!”, said Morgan Crapps, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Redwood Materials, . “By responsibly recycling lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable battery-containing devices, South Carolinians are not only reducing the risk of safety hazards but are lessening the environmental impact and preserving the critical resources from batteries.” Most South Carolina residents have opportunities to recycle single-use and rechargeable batteries at no cost and are encouraged to learn…, RecycleHereSC., In November 2023, South Carolina’s, Take Charge: Be Battery Smart, public information campaign launched to provide important information and resources about battery safety. Be Battery Smart is centered on household batteries; it’s important to note that businesses must follow all requirements for both large and small quantity hazardous waste generators. For more information, visit, BeBatterySmart.com., ###Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg LLC – Pelham Stone Mine
SCDES Issues Temporary Swimming Advisory for Section of Beach on Edisto Island
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A section of beach along South Carolina's coast has been placed under a, short-term swimming advisory, , the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reports today. , The advisory is for water at Edisto Beach near the access point at Ebbtide Street (station LC-081) in Colleton County. This swimming advisory is not a beach closing, nor does this advisory affect the entire beach. , Bacteria levels that are above state and federal standards have been detected in this area of water, and swimming is not advised in the area until bacteria levels return to normal. It’s safe to wade, collect shells and fish within this swimming advisory area. However, it’s advised that people entering the water in this area refrain from swallowing it, and that people with open wounds or…, des.sc.gov/beachmonitoring, for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local SCDES office: • Myrtle Beach, 843-238-4378, • Charleston, 843-953-0150, • Beaufort, 843-846-1030, ###Emerging Contaminants and Environmental Issues of Concern
SCDES Lifts Temporary Advisory for Section of Beach on Edisto Island
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A section of beach along South Carolina's coast is no longer under a swim advisory, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reported today. , The affected area was near the access point at Ebbtide Street (station LC-081) on Edisto Island in Colleton County., Bacteria levels have returned to normal. SCDES routinely collects water samples at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's beaches to monitor bacteria levels. Please visit des.sc.gov/beachmonitoring for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local SCDES office: Myrtle Beach 843-238-4378 Charleston 843-953-0150 Beaufort…Cache test
Testing cache of page 2SCDES Temporarily Closes Some Shellfish Harvesting Beds in Charleston County due to Excessive Rain
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 27, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is temporarily closing some shellfish harvesting beds in Charleston County due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene, the agency announced today. "This closure will begin at official sunset today, September 27, and it affects all shellfish harvesting in Shellfish Management…, said Mike Marshall, manager of SCDES’s Shellfish Sanitation Section, . "The affected area will reopen once water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting." For more information on clam and oyster harvesting areas in Charleston County, call SCDES’s Charleston County Office at 843-953-0150. Learn more about SCDES's Shellfish Sanitation Program at des.sc.gov/shellfish. ###Ann Clark, Chief, Bureau of Water
, Ann Clark has worked at DHEC/SCDES for more 38 years in several program areas., Previous to her role Chief of the Bureau of Water, Ann served as the Assistant Chief for the bureau. She is a native of South Carolina and holds degrees from both Clemson and the University of South Carolina: a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson and a Master of Science degree in Earth Resource Management from USC.