Dispose of Scrap Metal, Tires, Paper, Hazardous Waste on Richland Recycles Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in partnership with Richland County encourages residents to drop off a variety of unwanted household items for Richland Recycles Day this Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The free event will be from 8 a.m. to noon at Columbia Place Mall in the parking lot of the former Sears…, Residents may drop off the following items: , Tires (car, light truck, motorcycle) Scrap metal – appliances, bicycles, metal chairs, metal shelving, and lawn mowers with no gasoline or oil Household hazardous waste, including paint, stains, sealers, solvents, household cleaners, household chemicals, pool chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, acids, bases, mercury, fire extinguishers and propane tanks Paper for shredding (up to five boxes or…, said John Ansell, general manager for Richland County SW&R, . At collection events, “Waste tires collected are transported to a permitted tire recycler and transformed into a raw material that has many uses. This is an effective use of a waste product creating opportunities from something typically discarded.” Electronic waste will not be collected at this event, but items such as televisions, computers, printers, cellphones and tablets are accepted for…DHEC to Use EPA Funding for Six Waste Reduction and Recycling Projects in South Carolina
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― A federal grant of nearly $600,000 has been awarded to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to help improve waste reduction and recycling initiatives across the state. The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant was offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address solid…, said Myra Reece, director of DHEC’s Environmental Affairs., “These projects will play an integral role assisting local government recycling programs throughout South Carolina, providing a fresh picture of the state’s solid waste stream, updating planning and making recycling more convenient for residents.” The federal funding will be used to support the following South Carolina projects: • , Conduct a waste characterization study., This study will show a representative sample of the type and amount of material being disposed of in South Carolina’s municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The data is essential for local governments in planning to ensure necessary infrastructure, equipment, staffing, and funding are in place for the safe and efficient management of solid waste. The study also will identify material that could…, Update the State Solid Waste Plan., DHEC is required to develop a state plan that prioritizes waste prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and composting over disposal and incineration as well as set statewide waste reduction and recycling goals. The information provided by the waste characterization study will provide a fresh foundation for updating the plan. • , Create a “Recycle Right SC” app., The app will provide residents throughout South Carolina with up-to-date and convenient information on all of the state’s recycling programs, events being held in the community, and recycling options outside the local program as well as waste prevention and other green tips. • , Expand the “Don’t Waste Food SC” (DWFSC) campaign., The outreach campaign is designed to raise awareness of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of wasted food and steps stakeholders can take to reduce food waste at home, work, and school. The waste characterization study will provide fresh disposal and recovery data that will assist local programs to more efficiently manage organics. DHEC also will develop training initiatives for…, Launch the “Take Charge! Be Battery Smart” campaign., The campaign is designed to raise awareness of human health, safety, and environmental issues of the improper storage, use, disposal, and recycling of batteries. • , Create a construction and demolition (C&D) debris initiative, . This project will promote the recovery and reuse of this material, develop markets in partnership with the S.C. Department of Commerce and other stakeholders, and provide technical assistance to local governments, contractors, residents, and others. This is an extremely timely initiative as South Carolina is facing some of the nation’s highest population growth and building boom. DHEC’s Office…DHEC Lifts Temporary Swimming Advisory for Section of Beach on Edisto Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 30, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ̶ A section of beach along South Carolina's coast is no longer under a swim advisory, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported today. , The affected area was at Edingsville Beach near the access point on Lost Village Trail (station LC-075) in Edisto Island in Colleton County. Bacteria levels have returned to normal. , DHEC routinely collects water samples at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's beaches to monitor bacteria levels. Please visit scdhec.gov/BeachMonitoring for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local DHEC office: • Myrtle Beach 843-238-4378 • Charleston 843-953-0150 • Beaufort 843-846-1030 ###DHEC Issues Temporary Swimming Advisory for Section of Beach on Edisto Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 29, 2023 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 Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reports today. , The advisory is for water at Edingsville Beach near the access point on Lost Village Trail (station LC-075) 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…, This advisory only affects the area noted above. Short-term swimming advisories typically last just a few days and are lifted once follow-up water sampling shows bacteria levels have returned to normal. , DHEC routinely collects water samples at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's beaches to monitor bacteria levels. Please visit https://des.sc.gov/data-tools/beach-monitoring for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local DHEC office: Myrtle Beach 843-238-4378 Charleston 843-953-0150 Beaufort 843-846-1030DHEC’s Latest ‘Triennial Review’ Shows more than 99% of S.C. Public Drinking Water Meets Safety Standards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 26, 2023, Comprehensive report demonstrates S.C.’s Capacity Development Strategy is ensuring safe drinking water, COLUMBIA, S.C. ― This month, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) released its triennial review of the effectiveness of the State Capacity Development Strategy for Drinking Water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the Safe Drinking Water Act, requires all states to perform these reviews to make certain their state-level strategies help…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “All South Carolinians deserve access to drinking water that meets all the standards for supporting good health. I’m proud of all that DHEC’s Bureau of Water staff does to monitor drinking water across the state and provide assistance to drinking water providers to ensure the quality of water their customers receive.” DHEC’s 2023 Triennial Drinking Water Capacity Development Report shows that…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Director of Environmental Affairs., "These comprehensive triennial reviews help us identify the issues that may prevent water systems from meeting full compliance and how they can be corrected, which is a critical part of our mission to ensure every community receives clean, safe drinking water." Previous triennial review reports and additional information about drinking water, including where drinking water comes from and how it’s…DHEC Reopens Shellfish Harvesting Locations from Hilton Head Island North to Edisto Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 31, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is reopening immediately the shellfish harvesting beds from Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County north to Edisto Island in Charleston that were closed yesterday due to Hurricane Idalia. "With the hurricane warnings expired and the areas impacted not exceeding rainfall…, said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. , For more information on shellfish harvesting in your area, please visit https://des.sc.gov/community/environmental-sites-projects/pollution-advisories-monitoring/shellfish-bed-monitoring or contact your local DHEC Environmental Affairs Office. ###DHEC Reminds Homeowners Impacted by Idalia of Well Testing, Mold Resources Available
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 31, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has resources available for homeowners whose properties have been impacted by flooding from Tropical Storm Idalia, including information about protecting private drinking water wells that may have been affected by floodwaters and addressing mold. “We understand that…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “I encourage anyone to call our hotlines to receive helpful information about the steps you can take to make sure your well water is safe and to address any mold issues that can be caused by floodwater.”, Private Wells, DHEC recommends that well-owners inspect their wells after severe weather to check for damage, and to remove any plugs or coverings on the casing vents. If a well was not flooded, its water is likely unchanged, and no further actions should be needed. However, if a well was flooded, then the homeowner should take several steps: • Use bottled water or water that you boil for drinking or cooking…, DHEC’s Private Well Hotline at, 888-761-5989, for help during 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays., Mold, Mold can also become an issue after flooding events. While DHEC’s doesn’t have regulatory authority to test for or remediate mold, the agency offers a, Mold Hotline at, 888-815-3509, ., Representatives can help provide information and recommendations for dealing with mold. Porous materials — wood, drywall, carpet, mattresses, fabrics and furniture made of particle board — 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. DHEC also has…DHEC Closes Shellfish Harvesting Locations from Hilton Head Island North to Edisto Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 30, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing shellfish harvesting beds from Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County north to Edisto Island in Charleston at sunset today, August 30, due to Hurricane Idalia. “When a hurricane warning is issued by NOAA's National Hurricane Center, we are required to close…, said Mike Marshall, manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section., "DHEC will send notification once the area is reopened for shellfish harvesting." For more information on clam and oyster harvesting areas in the affected area, call DHEC's Beaufort County Environmental Affairs Office at 843-846-1030 or the Charleston County Environmental Affairs Office at 843-953-0150 . Learn more about DHEC’s Shellfish Sanitation Program at https://des.sc.gov/community/…Dam and reservoir owner-operators should monitor potential weather impacts from Hurricane Idalia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 29, 2023 COLUMBIA. S.C. — As Hurricane Idalia is expected to have weather impacts on South Carolina this week, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) advises dam and reservoir owner-operators to take proactive steps to prepare for potentially severe weather. Dam and reservoir owner-operators should clear debris from spillways and…, said Jill Stewart, P.E., Director of DHEC’s Dam Safety and Stormwater Permitting Division., "In addition, owners and operators are advised to coordinate any water release with other dam owners or property owners downstream that could be impacted. It’s also important before and after a storm has passed to remove any accumulated trash and debris from spillways." Resources to help dam and reservoir owners prepare for severe weather can be found on DHEC’s Dam Safety Program website, scdhec.…, Stewart said., "If problems develop to a point where failure of the dam might be imminent, the owner or operator of the dam should first call 911, then contact downstream property owners and DHEC Dam Safety Program staff at 803-898-1939 .” For the latest information about Hurricane Idalia, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (EMD) website at scemd.org, download EMD’s free mobile app, and…DHEC Issues Updated Wildfire Smoke Alert
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2023 Residents of South Carolina should be aware of the risk for health effects related to smoke from wildfires that originated from fires burning across parts of western Canada, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported today. Smoke from these fires has been in place across the state since Monday, and smoke will likely continue through at…