Waste Tire Haulers
REMINDER: WASTE TIRE HAULER REGISTRATION RENEWALS ARE DUE BEFORE MARCH 1ST., A waste tire hauler is a person who transports more than fifteen (15) waste tires at any one time. Waste tire haulers in SC must obtain a registration prior to hauling. Waste tire means a whole tire that is no longer suitable for its originally intended purpose because of wear, damage, or defect.Be Battery Smart
Be Battery Smart, , Be Battery Smart, Often overlooked, batteries can be a hidden household hazard. If improperly installed, charged, stored, used, damaged, or disposed of, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode, putting your family and others at risk. If swallowed, button or coin batteries can cause injuries and death. Take advantage of battery recycling opportunities – particularly for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries…, Tips to Take Charge!, Here are four essentials that you should know to keep yourself, your family and pets, and your home safe, as well as protect other people, property, and the environment.SCDES to Begin Seasonal Water Quality Monitoring at S.C. Beaches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — To help keep South Carolina beaches a favorite destination during the summer months, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is beginning its seasonal monitoring of water quality along the coast. Every state with ocean-facing beaches performs beach water monitoring to help detect instances of elevated bacteria levels that have…, Enterococci, bacteria. If elevated levels of the bacteria are detected, the agency issues public notices at that beach location and on SCDES’s Beach Monitoring webpage and the S.C. Beach Access Guide web app because high levels of, Enterococci, bacteria could negatively impact some people’s health. Beach monitor collects a water sample “If levels of Enterococci bacteria exceed the state standard, we quickly issue a short-term swimming advisory for that area of the beach to help notify beachgoers,”, said Umi Hermann, Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator for SCDES’s Aquatic Science Division, . “A swimming advisory does not mean the beach is closed — it simply means that portion of ocean water should be avoided until bacteria levels return to normal. Most short-term swimming advisories are lifted within a day.” SCDES tests ocean water for, Enterococci, bacteria, which are naturally found in warm-blooded animals, including humans. However, high levels of Enterococci in water indicate the potential risk for other organisms that may cause disease in humans, such as gastrointestinal illness or skin infections. The current advisory status for all 122 sampling sites is available on the online S.C. Beach Access Guide . SCDES issues two types of…, Short-term swimming advisories, typically last one to two days and are issued when two consecutive water samples exceed the state water quality standard of 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters (104 CFU/100mL). Often, short-term swim advisories due to elevated bacteria levels are issued after heavy rains when rainwater washes pollutants into the ocean. , Long-term swimming advisories, are issued year-round for areas that have an increased possibility of high bacteria levels, typically where stormwater from pipes or small creeks flows across the beach and into the ocean. Signs posted at these locations provide information about the potential of high bacteria levels. Locations with long-term advisories are reevaluated at the beginning of each year. “While we may not always…, Hermann said., “It’s important to remember that ocean water is a natural environment and not chemically treated like a swimming pool, so there is always some level of risk associated with swimming in natural bodies of water.” SCDES partners with the City of Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Edisto, and other organizations on the Check My Beach program, which is designed to…State and Local Officials Provide Update on Lake Greenwood Fish Kill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2026 GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. — State and local authorities are working together to investigate a recent fish kill in an area of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County. Greenwood County officials, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) were notified of several dead fish in the Cross Hill area of Lake…Contact SCDES Media Relations
SCDES Media Relations, How to Contact Us, All media requests should be made to Media Relations by email so we can respond to reporters’ questions as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Please do not contact staff directly. media@des.sc.gov 803-622-1208 Main POC Laura Renwick, Public Information Officer , How We Can Help You, SCDES Media Relations provides information to members of the press about the agency’s services, roles, and goals with protecting South Carolina’s environment. Media Relations works closely with SCDES’s environmental experts to provide clear, accurate and timely responses to media requests. Information Requests To request information, email media@des.sc.gov . We strive to meet deadlines as…State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program
The State Revolving Fund (SRF) program provides low-interest rate loans for building or repairing wastewater and drinking water plants, collection and distribution systems, and stormwater quality improvement projects. The program is run by the SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA), Office of Local Government (OLG)., Who Can Apply?, Municipalities, counties, and special purpose districts can apply for an SRF loan., What Funding is Available?, The money available for SRF loans depends on repayments from current loans and the yearly capitalization grant that comes from the EPA. Information on current SC SRF interest rates and loan policies can be found on the , SC Rural Infrastructure Authority website, . If a project includes a qualified water or energy reduction component, low-impact development, or other environmentally innovative "green" practices, an incentive loan rate may apply. The following drinking water and clean water projects are funded by the SRF Program:, Drinking Water Projects, Upgrade of a Surface Water Treatment Plant Looping of Distribution Lines Interconnecting Systems Addition of New Wells Adding Treatment or Storage Components Relocation of Waterlines due to Road Widening Projects Lead Service Line Replacements Projects to Address Emerging Contaminants, Clean Water Projects, Upgrade and Expansion of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewer Line Rehab and Replacement New Pump Stations and Force Mains Collection Systems for Areas on Septic Tanks New Interceptor Non-point Source Projects Relocation of Wastewater Lines due to Road Widening Projects Projects to Address Emerging Contaminants, Contact us, to find out if your project qualifies for SRF funding., Financing Alternatives Comparison Tool (FACT), FACT is an EPA financial analysis tool, that compares the costs of different financing options for water infrastructure projects. FACT can help borrowers compare their financing options.Mammography
Before a new mammography facility may legally perform mammography on patients, it must apply for accreditation through the, American College of Radiology, (ACR). Please see the ACR website for more information on accreditation. Certification is a process that is administered by SCDES/FDA (Food and Drug Administration). SCDES issues a Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) certificate upon notification by the ACR that a mammography facility has been accredited. Only SCDES/FDA certified facilities can lawfully provide mammography services. The…, FDA website, for information regarding reimbursement issues., Inspections, SCDES inspects all mammography providers in South Carolina to make sure facilities meet the requirements of the federal, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), as well as state regulations. SCDES has partnered with the FDA to perform the federal MQSA inspection and enforce federal standards. This federal inspection is conducted at the same time as the state inspection. Please see the FDA website, Policy Guidance Help System, for more information on complying with the MQSA., S.C. Mammography Regulations (Part V of S.C. Reg. 61-64 - Title B - Rules and Regulations for Radiation Control), Regulatory Guide for Mammography (pdf)SCDES Recognizes Columbia Fireflies with 'Power of Partnerships' Award for Environmental Outreach Efforts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) recognized the Columbia Fireflies as a 2026 recipient of its Power of Partnerships Award, honoring the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship and strong community collaboration. SCDES Director Myra Reece presented the award to the Columbia Fireflies during the team’s…, said SCDES Director Myra Reece., “Their commitment to promoting sustainability and enhancing recycling efforts at Segra Park demonstrates how impactful collaboration can be when we work together to serve South Carolina.” SCDES’s Power of Partnerships Award recognizes organizations that advance the agency’s commitment to Science, Service and Sustainability through collaboration and innovation. Working closely with SCDES's Office…, SCDES Director Myra Reece presents the agency’s Power of Partnerships Award to the Fireflies' Brad Shank, Team President, and Kevin Duplaga, Chief Revenue Officer, during an on-field presentation at Segra Park on Earth Day (April 22), in recognition of the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship and partnership. , “We are extremely grateful for our partnership with SCDES that allows our team and our fans to play our role by recycling here at the ballpark along with educating our fans on what they can do to help these efforts in our community,”, said Brad Shank, Team President of the Columbia Fireflies, . “Our team strives to be good stewards of this beautiful ballpark and our community, and it is an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of our entire team.” By leveraging their reach and strong community ties, the Columbia Fireflies continue to play a vital role in supporting environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives across South Carolina…Transfer of Ownership
New Owners **If you are only leasing the tanks and do not actually own them, please see the Leasee section below. ** Fill out a Transfer of Ownership form. This form must include the previous owner's signature as well as a notary signature. Send to the Division immediately. The tank owner name must match the name that will be used to provide financial responsibility. If you are unable to obtain…, Potential Buyer, **If you are only leasing the tanks and do not actually own them, please see the Leasee section below. ** If the tank system is out of use, contact the Division to make sure that the tanks will be allowed to be placed back into service. Contact the Division to determine if there are any past due tank fees that are owed on the facility. They will become your responsibility once you purchase the…, Leasee, Tank owner transfers only occur when the tanks themselves have actually been sold. If you purchased the business but are only leasing the tanks,, DO NOT, fill out a Transfer of Ownership form. Mail and other forms of communication from the Division will be sent to the tank owner. If you would like to notify us that you are now the leasee of the tanks, fax or email us your contact information., Banks (Foreclosure/Lender Liability):, Forward foreclosure documents or send in a Transfer of Ownership form. The tanks will be under Lender Liability of the bank If the tanks are to be operated: Provide financial responsibility Pay any past due tank fees Maintain monthly monitoring and annual testing Maintain cathodic protection if applicable Operator training will need to be completed by the operator If tanks are not being operated…, Realtors, If you need information about a current UST property, you may request a letter of concern. Please allow at least 3 business days for the request. If you have a client that found a UST on their property: Determine if a tank is already registered with our Division, by using the UST Registry . If the tank is not registered, determine if the tank is a home heating oil tank. If the tank is not…, Contact, UST Regulatory & Compliance Main Phone Line: 803-898-0589Permits - New Installation
SCDES only requires permits for new installations., In order to build a new gas station or install a new tank at an existing facility, tank owners must start the permitting process. The first step in this process is to accurately fill out and submit the Application for a Permit to Install (pdf) . More information is available if you are installing or providing notification for the existence of an Airport Hydrant Fuel Distribution System or UST…, Points to consider, South Carolina has a secondary containment requirement for all new installations of tanks, piping, and/or dispensers. Learn more about secondary containment . Will tanks be removed in conjunction with the installation? Alternative fuels require additional information. Financial Responsibility is required. Line Tightness Testing (pdf) Automatic Line Leak Detector Function Check (pdf) Sump Sensor…, Permit to Operate, and an operator training letter temporary registration certificate will be issued. If the tanks were not previously ballasted with fuel, an invoice for registration fees will also be issued. At this point, the tank owner is free to add fuel to the tanks and begin operating the tank system. The temporary certificate is only valid for 60 days. Once the registration fees are paid, a permanent…, You cannot operate a UST system without a valid Permit to Operate., Contact, UST Regulatory & Compliance Main Phone Line: 803-898-0589