SCDES samples water at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's coast from May 1 - October 1. If elevated levels of bacteria are detected, advisories are issued for that monitoring location. An advisory means that SCDES advises you NOT to swim in those areas. Advisories do not mean that the beach is closed. Wading, fishing, and shell collecting do not pose a risk.

SCDES remains committed to modernizing its permit review processes while also guiding how our state grows responsibly. Our goal is to issue permits within 90 days, upholding the standards for environmental protection, while also providing guidance to improve the quality of applications. While many programs already meet the 90-day timeframe, SCDES is always looking to implement innovative strategies and identify areas for continuous improvement.

WaterSC was created to work across state agencies and with key stakeholders to guide the development of an updated state water plan that ensures the long-term protection of the state’s water resources as demand increases from record-breaking economic development and population growth. In December 2025, WaterSC published the 2025 South Carolina State Water Plan, a comprehensive, data-driven report developed to ensure the long-term protection of the state’s water resources.

From April 1 through September 30, SCDES provides a daily forecast for ground-level ozone concentrations across the state. These forecasts help South Carolinians take simple steps to protect their health on days when ozone levels are expected to be elevated.

Introducing the SCDES Office of Compliance Assistance (OCA)! OCA facilitates communication between the regulated community and SCDES through phone consultations, online surveys, email, general permitting guidance, problem solving, compliance assistance visits, and both virtual and in-person meetings and training opportunities. Through development and implementation of these compliance assistance activities, OCA’s goal is to reduce pollution, increase the level of understanding of environmental requirements and prevent violations before they occur.

SCDES is dedicated to helping people live healthy lives in healthy communities. With more than 1,200 employees in more than a dozen offices across the state, SCDES has a diverse team of employees who are leaders in their fields and share a passion for making a difference.