Thank you to everyone who attended the inaugural 2026 Water Summit!
Water Summit 2026 Presentations
- Working Together to Put Our Plan Into Action
- City of Rock Hill - Jimmy Bagley
- Mount Pleasant Waterworks - Allen Clum
- Santee Cooper - Brian Lynch
- Pee Dee Council of Governments - Lindsey Privette
- Linking Climate Patterns to Hydrology: Implications for Aquatic Ecosystems
- South Carolina Climate Trends and Variability - Dr. Hope Mizzell
- Harmful Algal Blooms in SC: A Program Overview and Look Forward - Emily Bores
- Hydrology & Climate Implications for Invasive Aquatic Plants in South Carolina - Ashley Graham
- Breakout Sessions
- Data in Action: Integrated State and Partner Programs
- Supporting Water Reuse
- Partners in Water Quality Improvements
- Implementation Success through Local Partnerships in the Upper Saluda Watershed - Melanie Ruhlman
- Watershed Evaluation Team - Rick Lee
- Education and Outreach for Water Resources
- Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring - Lexi Toole
- Charleston Waterkeeper Community Engagement - Britney Prebis
- Carolina Clear Program - Samantha Porzelt
Building off the important progress made by the development of SCDES's State Water Plan and the establishment of WaterSC by Gov. Henry McMaster, the inaugural 2026 SCDES Water Summit brought together South Carolina’s foremost water experts and stewards to advance the conversation on effective use and sustainable management of South Carolina’s natural water resources.
While South Carolina is abundant with clear-flowing rivers, radiant lakes and rich underground aquifers, the unprecedented economic and population growth our state is experiencing require proactive, data-driven planning to protect one of our most essential resources.
The Water Summit was a day of collaboration and connection, all centered on protecting and preserving South Carolina’s lakes, water and aquifers, now and for generations to come.