SC Department of Environmental Services

SC Department of Environmental Services A new era in environmental protection. SCDES is committed to preserving SC’s air, land, water and coast through Science, Service and Sustainability.

A Tropical Storm Watch means conditions are possible in your area. A warning means conditions are expected. Either way, ...
09/07/2026

A Tropical Storm Watch means conditions are possible in your area. A warning means conditions are expected. Either way, now is the time to act.

✅ Follow your local forecast
✅ Charge phones & backup batteries
✅ Listen to local officials & be ready to leave if told to evacuate

Before you jump into South Carolina’s lakes, rivers or ocean, check for any open cuts, sores or wounds. Natural waterbod...
09/06/2026

Before you jump into South Carolina’s lakes, rivers or ocean, check for any open cuts, sores or wounds. Natural waterbodies can contain bacteria and other organisms that may enter through broken skin and cause infection.

Stay safe while enjoying the water:
✅ Cover healing wounds before entering the water
✅ Avoid swimming with open cuts or sores
✅ Check water conditions before you go

Learn more about safe swimming: des.sc.gov/safeswimming

Stay in the loop with SCDES! Follow us for real-time emergency alerts and trusted information when it matters most. We a...
09/05/2026

Stay in the loop with SCDES! Follow us for real-time emergency alerts and trusted information when it matters most. We also share local success stories and practical tips to help protect SC’s natural beauty. Hit follow and share to help keep your community informed and prepared!

Emergencies can happen anytime, but a little preparation now can make a big difference later. South Carolina faces hurri...
09/04/2026

Emergencies can happen anytime, but a little preparation now can make a big difference later. South Carolina faces hurricanes, flooding, severe storms, tornadoes, extreme heat, wildfires and more.

This month, Stand Ready with three simple steps:
🔹 Be in the know — Know your risks and sign up for emergency alerts.
🔹 Make a plan — Talk with your family about where to go, how to communicate and what to do in an emergency.
🔹 Build a kit — Gather water, food, medications, flashlights and other essentials to help your household get through at least three days.

Preparedness starts with one step. Take yours today and help South Carolina stand ready.

👉 Read our latest blog for tips and preparedness resources. bit.ly/4xyf8Z3

The Breathe Better (B2) program provides resources to help South Carolina communities reduce vehicle idling and promote ...
09/04/2026

The Breathe Better (B2) program provides resources to help South Carolina communities reduce vehicle idling and promote cleaner air.

B2 offers resources such as anti-idling signs, air quality education, AQI information, air monitoring, workshops and transportation audits to help schools and businesses take action.

Small changes can make a difference in the air we breathe.
Join B2 this Fall: des.sc.gov/b2

SCDES is calling all creative students ages 9–14! Help spread the word about a hidden danger in our homes by entering th...
09/03/2026

SCDES is calling all creative students ages 9–14! Help spread the word about a hidden danger in our homes by entering the 2025 S.C. Radon Poster Contest!

Why you should care:
🔹Radon is a silent threat — it's invisible, odorless, and can cause cancer.
🔹It can be in any home, and testing is the only way to know.
🔹Win cool prizes — gift cards worth $50 to $150 for top entries!

Deadline: October 31, 2026

Show off your art skills and help protect your community!
Learn more and enter: des.sc.gov/radonpostercontest

Stay in the know with SCDES eNews! Each month, SCDES eNews brings you the latest environmental news, programs, resources...
09/03/2026

Stay in the know with SCDES eNews! Each month, SCDES eNews brings you the latest environmental news, programs, resources, events & ways you can help protect SC’s natural resources.

📬 Get updates delivered straight to your inbox!
👉 Subscribe now: des.sc.gov/news

Got expired or unwanted medications at home? Don’t flush them or pour them down the drain. Medications can enter wastewa...
09/02/2026

Got expired or unwanted medications at home? Don’t flush them or pour them down the drain. Medications can enter wastewater and eventually reach our rivers, lakes and streams, potentially impacting water quality and aquatic life.

♻️ Use an authorized medication collection program to safely dispose of unwanted medications and help prevent accidental poisoning, misuse and environmental contamination.

If you use needles, syringes or lancets, remember: Never place loose sharps in household trash or recycling. Through SCDES’ Get the Point program, you can safely dispose of used sharps by placing them in a hard plastic container, sealing it when it’s about ¾ full, adding a free Get the Point sticker and placing the container in your regular household trash.

🔗 Learn more about safe medication and sharps disposal:
https://des.sc.gov/community/recycling-waste-reduction/recycling-hard-manage-items/unwanted-medications
https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-land-waste-management/infectious-waste/home-generated-sharps

📬 Get more Good to Know tips by following SCDES or signing up for our monthly eNews: conta.cc/3FNUazE

Headed to the Grand Strand or already soaking up the sun? Before you dive in, make sure to check for swim advisories at ...
09/02/2026

Headed to the Grand Strand or already soaking up the sun? Before you dive in, make sure to check for swim advisories at CheckMyBeach.com!

SCDES routinely tests water quality at over 120 beach locations across South Carolina. If an advisory is issued, that means do NOT swim in those areas for your safety.

Be informed. Stay safe. Enjoy the beach! ☀️

Some aquatic plants may look beautiful in a pond or water garden, but certain invasive aquatic plants are illegal to buy...
09/02/2026

Some aquatic plants may look beautiful in a pond or water garden, but certain invasive aquatic plants are illegal to buy, sell or transport in South Carolina.

Plants including water hyacinth, hydrilla, water primrose, giant salvinia, Eurasian watermilfoil and crested floating heart are among the species.

Why does it matter? Invasive aquatic plants can spread rapidly, displace native species, interfere with recreation and navigation and negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. Prevention is one of the best ways to protect South Carolina’s waterways.

📱 Before you buy, sell or share an aquatic plant, check the list first.
Learn more: des.sc.gov/anp

Address

2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC
29212

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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