Local Government Recycling: Professional Certification
SC Recycling Info:, (800) 768-7348 (toll-free), The S.C. Recycling Professionals Certification Program is a comprehensive professional development program targeting local government recycling coordinators and solid waste directors. The goal of the program is to provide these professionals with the background, information and tools to make recycling programs grow and improve as well as become more cost competitive and sustainable. A variety of…, Download the form, to document additional contact hours., Recycling Center Attendant Training, Recycling Center Attendant Trainings are available to local governments to ensure that best management practices are used and attendants have the latest information and customer service skills. The training, which is offered at NO COST, can be customized to each county or city's recycling program. Each attendant is given a certificate of completion and becomes eligible to be a Recycling Attendant…Data and Reports on Infectious Waste in S.C.
This report looks at the estimated amounts of infectious waste generated in the state in the past and offers an estimate of the amount of waste that may be generated in the state in the next year. 2018 - Infectious Waste Annual report Estimate 2019 - Infectious Waste Annual report Estimate 2020 - Infectious Waste Annual report Estimate 2021 - Infectious Waste Annual report Estimate 2022 -…SC Adopt-a-Stream
Interbasin Transfer (IBT) Information
Charlotte Water Interbasin Transfer, Charlotte Water is seeking to modify their, Interbasin Transfer (IBT), . This would increase the maximum limit of permitted withdrawal from the Catawba River and increase discharge into the Rocky River (that feeds into South Carolina’s Pee Dee River Basin). , If you would like more information please email SWQuantity@dhec.sc.gov . For more detailed information, please see, Regulation 61-119, Surface Water Withdrawal, Permitting, Use and Reporting, Section F.2.d.Compliance Assistance - Fact Sheets & Guidance
Gov. Henry McMaster Unveils Updated State Water Plan to Guide Long-term Protection of Water Resources
Collaborative Efforts Identify Key Updates for Sustainable Water Use, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Dec. 11, 2025, COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Director Myra Reece today presented the updated South Carolina State Water Plan. Developed at the governor's direction by SCDES and the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group (WaterSC) and other key contributors from across the state, the updated plan focuses on the sustainable management of…, said Governor Henry McMaster., "This updated State Water Plan provides a clear, long-term strategy for maintaining reliable water supplies over the next 50 years. I am confident in the work SCDES and WaterSC have done to ensure South Carolina is prepared to meet the demands of today and tomorrow." To help ensure water resources are managed in the best interest of all South Carolinians, Gov. Henry McMaster proactively…, Our Water Future: The Leadership Guide to South Carolina’s Water Plan., "The updated State Water Plan isn’t just a report — it’s a roadmap that prepares us for growth, protects us in times of drought, and safeguards the water resources that sustain our way of life," , said Myra Reece, SCDES Director and Chair of WaterSC., "While South Carolina’s water resources are abundant, they are not limitless. If we continue to plan wisely and collaboratively, we will have the water we need to support our residents and economy for generations to come." This is the third version of the South Carolina State Water Plan. The previous two versions, developed in 1998 and updated in 2004, were written by the S.C. Department of…, said Director Reece., "While we achieved this important milestone for sustainable water use and protection, there is still work to be done as more and more people and businesses call South Carolina home. Our work to protect South Carolina’s water resources will continue." To learn more, visit des.sc.gov/WaterSC. ###Lead & Drinking Water
A high level of lead in drinking water can cause health concerns, particularly in children. That's why SCDES works to ensure that public water systems adhere to drinking water quality standards and regulations. Lead is rarely in drinking water when it leaves the treatment plant; however, it can seep into the water from old plumbing along the way., How Lead Gets into Drinking Water, Public water systems perform routine tests guided by federal and state standards to make sure the amount of lead in drinking water remains at a safe level. If the level rises too high, the Environmental Protection Agency requires action. The EPA's Action Level for lead in drinking water is greater than 15 parts per billion or .015 mg/L. The state's Safe Drinking Water Regulation (R.61-58) also…, How SCDES Helps Keep Your Drinking Water Safe, SCDES regulates public water systems to make sure they comply with drinking water standards and helps them produce the best possible water quality. SCDES provides: SCDES Suggested Directions for Homeowner Tap Sampling Collection Procedures Public water systems perform routine tests guided by federal and state standards to make sure the amount of lead in drinking water remains at a safe level. If…, Lead Data, Notes: The Action Level for lead is greater than 15 parts per billion or .015 mg/L. The units for the lead values shown in the PDF are in mg/L. , Monitoring periods are January through June and July through December if the system is on six-month monitoring. The monitoring period is June 1 through September 30 if the system is on annual or three-year monitoring. An exceedance of the action level is calculated based on the 90th percentile of all samples taken during the monitoring period (at different locations within the distribution…, How to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water, Flush Your System, Flushing tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your health. It typically uses less than one to two gallons of water. Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking or cooking if the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. The longer water stays in plumbing the more lead it may contain. To flush the tap, run the cold water faucet for about 15-40…, Use Only Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking, Do not cook with, or drink water from the hot water tap. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold tap and then heat it., Is Your Water from a Public Water System?, If you receive a water bill, then your drinking water most likely is from a public water system. Public water systems (that serve the same people year round) are required by law to provide their customers with a water quality report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) . Find more information about testing your drinking water ., Upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), Systems with lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown service lines must send notifications to affected customers by November 15th, 2024. In the Useful Documents section below, there are templates and associated FAQs for the various service line materials and situations that may be present in your system., Please read each thoroughly to ensure that customers receive the appropriate communication and that the content aligns with your inventory efforts and capabilities. These templates require system input in many places and cannot be sent out as-is., These templates and FAQ documents were created by Mike McGill of WaterPIO with very minor adjustments from SCDES and meet the initial customer notification requirements of the LCRR. SCDES is grateful to Mike and his team for creating and providing these documents. You may choose to revise these templates to better fit the needs of your water system so long as you do not adjust or eliminate any of…, Useful Documents:, Lead and Copper Rule Updates, Timelines, and Reminders Baseline Service Line Inventory Template Lead and Copper Rule FREE Assistance Flier EPA Factsheet LCRR EPA Notification Factsheet GRR FAQ GRR Notification Letter Lead FAQ Lead Notification Letter Unknown FAQ Unknown Notification Letter Service Line Materials Notification FAQ, Useful Lead and Copper Forms, D 3023 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Report Form Justification for Change of Sample Site D 3024 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Reporting Form Analytical Results for Lead and Copper D 3025 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Reporting Form Analytical Results for Water Quality Parameter Monitoring Example 3025 - Lead and Copper Monitoring Report Form D 3162 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Report Form for Non-…, Have a Private Well?, If your drinking water comes from a private well, it is up to you to make sure it is safe. Be sure to test your well water for contaminants . Learn more about how to protect your family from lead exposure ., Contacts, Richard Welch, Jr. P.E., Manager, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance, (803) 898-3546 Wendi Smith , Program Manager, Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section, (803) 898-2382 Idris Liban , Lead and Copper Rule Manager, (803) 898-3573 Ana Barber , Lead and Copper Rule Manager, (803) 898-4154Compliance Assistance - Air Quality
Compliance Assistance - Land & Waste Management
Compliance Assistance - Water