South Carolina DHEC News

Statewide Waste Characterization Study

SCDES released South Carolina's first comprehensive Statewide Waste Characterization Study, funded by EPA and conducted by MSW Consultants. The study found that food waste comprises 26.2% of disposed municipal solid waste (939,464 tons), making it the No. 1 item in state landfills, while traditional recyclables accounted for 17% of disposed waste with over $91 million in lost market value.

Enhanced Tools for Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Reporting

SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management announced new and improved tools to address abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) along South Carolina's coast. The tools, hosted on MyCoast.org/SC/boat and des.sc.gov/adv, streamline public reporting and interagency coordination among SCDES, SCDNR Law Enforcement, and local partners across eight coastal counties.

SCDES Daily Ozone Forecasts Resume

SCDES announced the resumption of its seasonal daily ozone forecasting program from April 1 through September 30, 2026. The forecasts provide ground-level ozone concentration predictions to help South Carolinians protect their health on high-ozone days. Citizens can access forecasts via the SCDES website, EPA's EnviroFlash alerts, or the AirNow mobile app.

SCDES Wins Award for State Water Plan

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) received a 2025 Notable State Documents Award for its 2025 South Carolina State Water Plan. The award recognizes the plan's excellence in content, research, and public value, highlighting its role in ensuring sustainable water resources for the state.

SCDES Opens Nominations for Community Star Award

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has opened nominations for its annual Community Star Award, recognizing environmental stewardship. The nomination period runs from February 2, 2026, to February 28, 2026.

SC Environmental Awareness Award Presented to Melanie Ruhlman

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services announced Melanie Ruhlman, president of 'Save Our Saluda,' as the recipient of the 2025 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award. The award recognizes her leadership in water quality protection and watershed planning, preventing an estimated 5,650 tons of sediment from entering waterways annually.

SC Aquatic Plant Management Council Meeting on Draft Plan

The South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Council will meet on March 11, 2026, to discuss public comments on the draft 2026 Aquatic Plant Management Plan. The meeting is open to the public and will include a review of comments prior to final approval.

SC DEQ Seeks Comments on Draft Aquatic Plant Management Plan

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is seeking public comments on its draft 2026 Aquatic Plant Management Plan. The plan outlines strategies for managing aquatic plants in the state's public waters. Comments are due by March 2, 2026.