Geographic Areas of Particular Concern for Coastal Zone Consistency
During National Air Quality Awareness Week, SCDES Spotlights South Carolina’s Clean Air
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― This year, May 5-9 is recognized as National Air Quality Awareness Week, an initiative for informing the public about the importance of clean air and the factors that contribute to air pollution. In South Carolina, the Air Program within the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) works every day to protect the state’s air…, said Rhonda Thompson, Chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Air Quality., “This is in large part due to the support we receive from local air quality coalitions, industries, schools, local governments and other stakeholders for continually wanting to improve South Carolina's clean air.” SCDES’s Air Program ― which includes the Bureau of Air Quality, the Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Service’s air laboratory, and SCDES regional offices ― develops and implements…, said Thompson, who also serves as past-president of the Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association and vice president of the Southeastern Air Pollution Control Agencies., Efforts to help keep air clean include: Using electric-powered lawn equipment. Gasoline-powered lawn equipment emits airborne pollutants. Maintaining your vehicle. A well-maintained vehicle can reduce harmful emissions and improve vehicle performance and fuel economy. Combining trips and errands and shopping local to lower vehicle miles traveled, save time and money and reduce emissions…CZC Review of Federal Permits
How to Aid the Shortest Review Time for CZC Request
SCDES Collects Additional Samples, Provides Update on Lake Hartwell Harmful Algal Bloom
Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell remains in effect, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) continues to monitor the harmful algal bloom (HAB) on Lake Hartwell in order to provide the latest recommendations for protecting public health. HABs are a common and natural occurrence in natural waterbodies, but they can cause health impacts to people or pets that come into…, Based on the latest round of lake observations and water sampling, the Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell remains in effect, with the following recommendations:, , avoid direct contact with lake water in areas where the HAB is observed, keep pets and animals from swimming in or drinking from the lake in areas where the HAB is observed, SCDES first issued a Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell on April 30 after identifying the presence of a HAB. Cyanobacteria capable of producing cyanotoxins were observed in initial water samples, but cyanotoxin concentrations were low or below the analytical detection limit as they are in the most recent samples. The most common symptoms associated with HABs are stomach pain, skin rash…CZC Review of Direct Federal Agency Activities
WaterSC to Meet May 15, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The WaterSC Water Resources Working Group will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center, 1107 Williams St. Columbia. The meeting will be livestreamed by SCETV on, scetv.org., A copy of the agenda and additional information are available at, des.sc.gov/WaterSC., On Sept. 24, 2024, Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2024-22, establishing the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group (WaterSC), with the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) serving as the lead agency of the initiative. WaterSC is working across state agencies and with key stakeholders to formulate Executive Order 2024-22 deliverables, including the development of a…, des.sc.gov/WaterSC., ###WaterSC Meeting
The WaterSC Water Resources Working Group will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center, 1107 Williams St. in Columbia., The meeting, will be livestreamed, by SCETV, For more information on upcoming and previous WaterSC meetings, visit our, WaterSC Meetings webpage, .SCDES Issues Temporary Swimming Advisory for Section of Debordieu Beach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, : May 16, 2025 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 Environmental Services (SCDES) reported today., The advisory is for water at Debordieu Beach near the access point at Luvan Way (station WAC-047) in GeorgetownCounty. 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…, des.sc.gov/beachmonitoring, for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local SCDES office: • Myrtle Beach, 843-238-4378, • Charleston, 843-953-0150, • Beaufort, 843-846-1030, ###SCDES Issues Temporary Swimming Advisory for Section of Pawleys Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A section of beach along South Carolina's coast has been placed under a s hort-term swimming advisory, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reports today. , The advisory is for water at Pawleys Island near the access point at Hazard St (station WAC-045A) in Georgetown 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…