Recreational Waters - Commonly Asked Fee Questions
For complete fee information please refer to R.61-30, Environmental Protection Fees When are my annual operating permit fees due? Operating permit fees are due by February 15 of each calendar year and are considered delinquent if not received by March 15 of each calendar year. A 10% late fee will be assessed on March 15 and an additional 25% late fee will be assessed on April 15 for all…Coastal Zone Consistency Frequently Asked Questions
Aquatic Science
Collage of images depicting algae sampling, water quality testing, aquatic invasive plants, and electrofishing Aquatic Science is a Division of the SCDES Bureau of Water. The Division strives to use evolving science and emerging information. We ensure the right data and the best management techniques are available to keep South Carolina’s waters safe, healthy, and accessible for the many uses of…, Beach Monitoring, 2024 Beach Monitoring Program Sampling and Advisory Data 2021 Beach Monitoring Program Sampling and Advisory Data, Macroinvertebrates , Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment of the North Fork of the Edisto River After a Cyanide Release Impacts of Coal Tar Contamination on the Invertebrate Community of the Congaree River near the City of Columbia Key to Common Aquatic Invertebrates of the Waccamaw River , Fish Tissue , Lead Screening Study of Fish in Gills Creek Watershed Mercury bioaccumulation in Tilefish (, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) , from Offshore Waters of South Carolina, USA Mercury in South Carolina Fishes, USA Uranium and Fluoride in Fish from the Congaree River , Water Quality , 2024 Parr Shoals and Monticello Reservoirs Nutrient Study Lake Hartwell – Eighteenmile Creek Lake Arm 2023 Nutrient Study Lake Murray Little Saluda River and Bush River Arms 2022 Nutrient Study 2021 Lake Murray Little Saluda River and Bush River Arms Nutrient Study A Bacteriological Assessment of Surface Water Quality in a Small Sub-Watershed of the Okatee River Basin Big Wateree Creek 2019…, Harmful Algal Blooms, 2024 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project 2023 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project 2022 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project 2021 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project 2020 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project 2019 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project 2018 SC Cyanotoxin Distribution Project Standard Operating Procedures Continuous Monitoring of Ambient Surface Water Fish and Shellfish Tissue Collection…S.C. Department of Environmental Services Wins 2025 Notable State Documents Award for State Water Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is the recipient of a 2025 Notable State Documents Award from the South Carolina State Library for the 2025 South Carolina State Water Plan, published Dec. 11, 2025. The award recognizes outstanding state government publications that demonstrate excellence in content, research and public…, Our Water Future: The Leadership Guide to South Carolina’s Water Plan, are available at des.sc.gov/WaterSC. The S.C. State Library’s Notable State Documents Awards Program began in 1991 as a way to recognize exemplary state publications. A complete list of the 2025 winners is available on the State Library’s website at statelibrary.sc.gov. , ###,Info for Infectious Waste Generators
Registration, Any facility that generates any infectious waste should register with the infectious waste program. Registration should include at least: The name of the business The name of the owner and responsible party (if different) Physical location of the site (each site must apply separately) Mailing address of site Telephone number of site Contact name Categories and amount (in pounds) of waste…, Attention, Infectious Waste Registrations and Renewals can now be completed online using ePermitting. Please use the link below to complete a new registration or renew an existing registration., https://epermitting.des.sc.gov/, , If you need assistance or have questions please email , infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov, ., Fees, The following fees will be due at time of registration and annually thereafter. Small quantity generators (Less than 50 pounds of waste per calendar month) - no fee Large quantity generators (50-999 pounds per calendar month) - $150 Extra-large quantity generators (1,000 or more pounds per calendar month) - $600 If in any calendar month a facility generates more than allowed under their current…, Inspections, Infectious Waste inspections are random and unannounced. The inspector views areas where infectious waste is being collected or stored. The waste is viewed to determine proper packaging, proper labeling, and proper storage conditions. Manifests, weight records (in pounds), and treatment method records will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy. The inspector may also request to view any…, Package and Storage of Infectious Waste, How should infectious waste be packaged and stored? Sharps must be placed in rigid, leak- and puncture-resistant containers secured tightly. All other waste should be stored and maintained in a rigid or semi-rigid leak-proof container that will not allow liquid in or out. Containers must be strong enough to resist bursting and tearing during handling and transport and must be able to be closed…, Transport/Treatment of Waste, Rules:, Containers must be labeled properly before transport. Labeling must be clearly visible and include: Biohazard symbol Infectious Waste Program Registration Number Date the container was placed in storage or sent off-site Words INFECTIOUS WASTE (or BIO-HAZARDOUS WASTE or MEDICAL WASTE). Before waste can be transported, it must be manifested. This manifest must accompany waste at all times after…, Other Health care Regulatory Links, Links to the non-SCDES organizations found below are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs. SCDES is not responsible for the content of the individual organization's web pages found at these links. DOT- www.scdot.org/ Rural Health- http://www.scorh.net/ LLR- www.llr.state.sc.us/ EPA- www.epa.gov OSHA - www.…, Contacts, Infectious Waste Staff, (803)-898-0239 or 803-898-2826 or (803) 898-0499 or (803) 898-0482 email: Infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov Kimberley Noonan , Manager, (803) 898-0493Infectious Waste Regulation - Overview
The Infectious Waste Program regulates generators and transporters of infectious waste in South Carolina as well as facilities that treat infectious waste. In South Carolina, there are approximately 9000 registered generators of infectious waste, 30 registered transporters of infectious waste, and 2 registered treatment facilities for infectious waste., What is Infectious Waste?, Also known as medical or biohazardous waste, infectious waste is material that was used in healthcare, research or postmortem exams. It includes: Sharps - any waste that may cause a puncture or cut Microbiological specimens - culture dishes, vaccines and other waste that has been exposed to human pathogenic agents Blood and blood products - unabsorbed blood or blood products or absorbed blood…, Regulations, The regulations describe the registration process, explain what is considered infectious waste and what is exempted, and define treatment processes. There are three classes of generators, defined by the weight of waste generated in a calendar month: Small quantity Large quantity Extra-large quantity Laws & Regulations regarding Infectious Waste Forms for Infectious Waste Generators &…, Attention, Infectious Waste Registrations and Renewals can now be completed online using ePermitting. Please use the link below to complete a new registration or renew an existing registration., https://epermitting.des.sc.gov/, , If you need assistance or have questions please email , infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov, ., Contacts, Infectious Waste Staff, (803)-898-0239 or 803-898-2826 or (803) 898-0499 or (803) 898-0482 Email: Infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov Kimberley Noonan , Manager, (803) 898-0493Infectious Waste Package, Storage, Transport, Treatment
How should infectious waste be packaged and stored?, Sharps must be placed in rigid, leak- and puncture-resistant containers secured tightly. All other waste should be stored and maintained in a rigid or semi-rigid leak-proof container. Containers must be strong enough to resist bursting and tearing during handling and transport and must be able to be closed tightly and securely. Plastic bags used inside containers must be red or orange. Reusable…, Transport/Treatment of Waste, Rules:, Containers must be labeled properly before transport. Labeling must be clearly visible and include: Biohazard symbol Infectious Waste Program Registration Number Date the container was placed in storage or sent off-site Words INFECTIOUS WASTE (or BIO-HAZARDOUS WASTE or MEDICAL WASTE). Before waste can be transported, it must be manifested. This manifest must accompany waste at all times after…, Attention, Infectious Waste Registrations and Renewals can now be completed online using ePermitting. Please use the link below to complete a new registration or renew an existing registration., https://epermitting.des.sc.gov/, , If you need assistance or have questions please email , infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov, ., Contacts, Infectious Waste Staff, (803)-898-0239 or 803-898-2826 or 803-898-0499 or (803) 898-0482 email: Infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov Kimberley Noonan , Manager, (803) 898-0493Info for Infectious Waste Transporters
Transporter Resources, Infectious Waste Transporter Information Brochure (pdf) South Carolina Infectious Waste Transporters (pdf) Forms: Infectious Waste Transporter Registration Infectious Waste Transporter Certificate of Insurance Infectious Waste Manifest Form OSHA - www.scosha.llronline.com/ , Contacts, Infectious Waste Staff, (803)-898-0239 or 803-898-2826 or (803) 898-0499 or (803) 898-0482 email: Infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov Kimberley Noonan , Manager, (803) 898-0493ReadyOP Alert System
What is ReadyOP?, The Dam Safety Program has contracted with ReadyOp Communications Inc to implement the ReadyOP emergency notification tool. ReadyOP allows the Dam Safety Program to quickly alert the owners, operators, and designated emergency contacts of state-regulated dams. These messages may be issued to the owners, operators, and designated emergency contacts of all regulated dams statewide or targeted to…, When is ReadyOP used and how often will I get alerts?, ReadyOP alerts are issued when the Dam Safety Program has identified a potential or imminent threat to state-regulated dams. Threats include intense rainfall events, flooding, earthquakes, or extreme winds capable of toppling trees on a dam. The Dam Safety Program has been using systems like ReadyOP to send emergency alerts to dam owners, operators, and their designated emergency contacts since…, How to change your ReadyOP contact preferences or update your contact information, If you are an owner or operator of a state-regulated dam and would like to update your information or preferences for ReadyOp, identify or update a representative contact and their preferences, and/or provide other contact details for your dam, please contact DESresponse@des.sc.gov . Dam owners, operators, or representatives may also submit new ReadyOp user entries at https://sc.readyop.com/…, Notification Limitations, Emergency ReadyOP dam alerts are intended to notify regulated dam owners, operators, and a limited number of owner-representatives authorized to act on a dam owner's behalf in the event of an emergency. If a dam's owner is an entity containing many individuals (ie a homeowner's association), only a few primary points of contact can be entered into the alert system and receive notifications. Those…Proper Disposal/Donation of X-Ray Equipment in South Carolina
Step 1: Confirm Equipment Status Before disposal, you must:, Determine if the equipment still produces radiation (i.e., functional X-ray tube or Generator)., An X-ray machine must be plugged into an electrical source in order to produce radiation. Once you unplug an X-ray machine, there's no residual radiation., Determine if the equipment contains radioactive components., Cobalt 60 is a radioisotope used in radiography and medical applications. Cobalt 60 rods must be professionally removed. Once that's done, many parts of the machine can be recycled., Ensure the equipment does not contain hazardous oils, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)., X-ray machines made before July 1979 may contain a toxic substance called polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, in the transformer oil. If your machine has PCBs in it, you will need to contact a waste removal specialist to handle removal of this substance. (It's also your responsibility to test the machine for PCBs before you transfer ownership.), Determine if the equipment contains hazardous metals., Older equipment may contain hazardous metals. Before taking a machine out of service you need to be aware of what's in the machine and what needs to be done to dispose of it properly. If your machine contains a hazardous waste metal regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you will have from 90-180 days from the decommissioning date - the day you take the machine out of service - to…, Disable the machine., To disable an X-ray machine, you'll need to remove the head, being careful not to break the X-ray tube. The tube is under vacuum and if broken, could splinter and cause injuries. If the unit is still operational or contains any radioactive source, you must handle it as regulated material. Step 2: Disposal of Equipment There are different ways to get rid of an X-ray unit. Please note, options must…, Service Vendor Collection, : Arrange for a registered X-ray Vendor to handle the disposal., Salvage, : Salvage parts from the equipment if applicable., Landfill Disposal, : If a waste disposal company will accept it, you can get rid of the whole machine at once., Donation, : Donate to organizations like Partners in Health and Project Cure , which accept high-quality, functional X-ray equipment in good condition., Sell or Transfer, : Transfer a working machine to an individual or institution that is legally able to use X-ray machines. Your X-ray vendor may know of companies that purchase used equipment., Recycle, : You can donate it to a company that recycles usable machines., Sell for Scrap, : If other methods are not feasible, consider selling the parts for scrap. Step 3: Notify the Radiation Protection Program Facilities must report to the Department, within thirty (30) days, any changes of status affecting any X-ray machine or facility as required by RHB 2.6 Report of Change. *Equipment changes should be reported on SCDES Form D-0819 “Registration and/or Deletion of X-ray…