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  • SUPERB Advisory Committee to Meet Feb. 9, 2026
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 4, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Bank (SUPERB) Act Advisory Committee will meet Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. at SCDES's Main Office located at 2600 Bull St., Columbia. The meeting agenda is available at: UST Publications | SCDES ###
  • Indoor Mold
    Indoor Mold After a Weather Event - Fact Sheet, (pdf), Many South Carolina residents are concerned about indoor mold as a result of severe weather disasters. As part of our commitment to assist those who have been affected, SCDES has compiled the following information to guide decisions regarding mold in homes and workplaces., Español (Spanish), If you're experiencing any issues with flooding, below is an important resource number to be aware of. Mold Hotline:, 888-815-3509, for general information., Presence of Mold after a Severe Weather Event:, Excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. Steps can be taken to prevent mold growth if wet items are cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours.  Make sure you only enter your home once it is safe. Signs of Mold: Mold can be recognized by sight or smell or present no signs at all (hidden behind walls or under floors) Sight (Mold growth often…, Never mix bleach with other household cleaners. Mixing bleach and ammonia can produce dangerous toxic fumes, ). Nonporous materials include tile floors, countertops, showers, tubs, metal objects, plastic, glass, and other hard nonabsorbent materials and surfaces. Porous materials soak up water like a sponge. Items that cannot be dried thoroughly within 24-48 hours of getting wet are much more difficult to disinfect and may need to be replaced to prevent mold growth. Porous items include wood, drywall,…, Additional Information and Resources:, Mold Hotline:, 888-815-3509, or local:, 803-898-9387., Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's websites about Mold After a Disaster  and Floods . Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Mold website or download EPA's Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home . Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website on Mold in Schools and Commercial Buildings or download EPA's Building Air Quality Guide . Find volunteer…, Because there are no state or federal laws, regulations, or standards for mold or indoor air quality, SCDES cannot test, monitor or inspect for mold or indoor air quality in homes or public buildings.
  • Returning Home After the Storm
    After the Storm, The hours and days immediately following a hurricane or flood can be especially dangerous due a number of reasons. Hidden debris in floodwaters, no electricity, and structural damage due to winds can pose safety risks to people as they begin to return home. Always follow the recommendations of local officials. Below are general , General Precautions and Recommendations, Return to your home during daylight hours. Before entering your home, check for any structural hazards that might make it unsafe to go in the house. Enter your home with caution. If you can go inside, open all the doors and windows to increase ventilation. Fire is a risk following a storm, often caused by the use of candles. Use battery-operated flashlights and lanterns instead of candles, though…, Precautions to Take When…, Smelling Gas: If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main valve, open all windows, and get out of the house immediately. Don't turn on the electricity, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Immediately notify the gas company as well as your local fire and police departments. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so. Handling Electrical…, Possible Impacts to Septic Systems, The large amount of rain and flooding that occurs with a hurricane may cause some problems with septic systems. The problems you might experience include slow-draining toilets and sinks or wastewater bubbling up from the ground. Follow these steps to help limit any potential problems: Limit the use of water. Do laundry at the laundromat. Don't flush the toilet every time it's used. Wash dishes by…, Septic Systems - What to Do after the Flood
  • Tropical Storm Debby
  • SUPERB Advisory Committee Meeting
    The State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Bank (SUPERB) Act Advisory Committee will meet Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. at SCDES's Main Office located at 2600 Bull St., Columbia. Meeting Agenda  
  • Environmental Surveillance & Oversight Program Data Reports
    up close of spider on a web The following annual reports provide monitoring data for the Savannah River Site. The data was collected by SCDES's Environmental Surveillance and Oversight Program (ESOP)., View/Download 2024 ESOP Report, Download 2024 SCDES Data File,  
  • Best Management Practices (BMPs)
    The control of sedimentation from construction sites is accomplished through the utilization of a variety of erosion and sediment control, Best Management Practices, (BMPs). Essentially, any device, practice, or procedure that has demonstrated to effectively control either the quality and/or quantity of stormwater runoff while maintaining compatibility with the planned land used are classified as BMPs., BMPs, are mainly used to implement the goal of limiting the quantity of sediment being eroded from, and leaving the construction site. BMPs are classified into many categories, including Erosion Prevention, Sediment Control, Runoff Control,  Low Impact Development, and Structural Water Quality Control. Choosing the correct, BMPs, for your site is crucial and should be left to design professionals. Incorrect usage and/or installation of, BMPs, may allow for the release of more sediment than what may occur in their absence. Please consult SCDES's BMP Handbook for more information., SCDES's Stormwater BMP Handbook, Sediment is not the sole culprit of what has caused the degradation of South Carolina's waterways. Other pollutants commonly found in surface water runoff, such as oils and fertilizer, have also contributed to this problem. Fortunately, sediment and other pollutants can be controlled through various Sediment Control BMPs. Construction icon, Pollution Prevention, All stormwater management plans must should that polluted runoff is reduced to best extent practicable. Documents icon, SWPPPs, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans are required to be submitted with every request for coverage. Exclamation point icon, LIDs, Low Impact Development is a concept that addresses stormwater management at its source., Erosion Prevention BMPs, Each year, millions of tons of sediment have the potential to enter South Carolina's waterways via erosion of the land caused by surface water runoff, especially over exposed soil on construction sites. This process, unabated, will have adverse impacts to downstream waterways, not only to the water clarity and the affiliated public but also to the wildlife these waterways sustain. To counteract…, Erosion Prevention Measures, are a specific set of approved BMPs that are used during and after construction site preparation in order to safely convey clean water to storm drains or toward downstream waterways. Such measures include but are not limited to: phasing and construction sequencing, surface roughening, temporary seeding, mulching, erosion control blankets, and reinforcement matting. Each of these measures is…, Sediment Control BMPs, Similar to the, Erosion Prevention Measures, , Sediment Control BMPs is a set of approved BMPs that are used to reduce/eliminate the amount of sediment and other pollutants that are found in surface water runoff. Uncontrolled runoff from construction sites are a cause for concern because of the devastating effects that sedimentation can cause on downstream waterways, particularly small streams. Numerous studies have shown that the amount of…, MS4s, and ultimately is discharged into local rivers and streams. Sediment is usually the main pollutant of concern. Sediment runoff rates from construction sites are typically 10 to 20 times greater than those of agricultural lands, and 1,000 to 2,000 times greater than those of forest lands. During a short period of time, construction sites can contribute more sediment to streams than can be…, Runoff Control BMPs, Stormwater runoff is rainfall or snowmelt that runs off the ground or impervious surfaces such as buildings, roads, and parkways into natural or manmade drainage ways. Improperly controlled runoff can cause serious problems and downstream impacts, especially in areas where urbanization occurs. During urbanization and most land disturbing activities the percentage of impervious surfaces increases…, Structural Water Quality Control BMPs, Structural Water Quality Control BMPs are recommended for use with a wide variety of land uses and development types. These controls have demonstrated the ability to effectively treat runoff volume to reduce the amounts of pollutants discharged to downstream waterways. Examples of these BMPs are wet detention ponds, dry detention ponds, underground detention systems, stormwater wetlands and…
  • Air Quality Coalitions
    Air Quality Coalitions , Air Quality Coalitions are partnerships of local stakeholders across South Carolina working collaboratively to improve and protect air quality. The coalitions support the development and implementation of voluntary, community-based actions that reduce air pollution and emissions at the local level. By encouraging proactive engagement from local governments, organizations, and community partners,…, Strategic Planning Manager, City of Augusta, Georgia, (706) 821-1810 BCDCOG Clean Air and Climate Coalition  Nina Miller ,, Regional Planner, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester COG, (843) 529-2087 Catawba Air Quality Coalition  Stephen Allen ,, Senior Planner, Catawba Regional COG, (843) 327-9041 Central Midlands Air Partnership  The Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) works on regional planning and technical assistance in Richland, Lexington, Newberry and Fairfield counties. CMCOG environmental planning includes air & water pollution, land use, biodiversity, and climate change.  Jory Fleming ,, Program Manager, Regional Environmental Planning - Central Midlands COG, (803) 898-4524 Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee  Dean Hybl ,, Executive Director, Ten at the Top, (864) 283-0345 Waccamaw Air Coalition  Chelsea Barfield ,, Associate Planner, Waccamaw Regional COG, (843) 436-6129 Map of South Carolina image  
  • Parker's Kitchen Cooks Crossroads Public Meeting & Hearing
    The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is seeking input on the proposed application from Drayton-Parker Companies, LLC to disturb 6.2 acres of land to facilitate construction of a new 6,344 SF convenience store with ten multiple product dispensers (fuel pumps) under a hard canopy, with associated parking. SCDES invites interested people to an informational session, public hearing,…
  • SRF Call for Projects