South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream (SC AAS) is a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program where participants learn to assess the health and water quality of their local waterways. SC AAS provides education about stream health, pollution, and the connections between land use and water quality to people across South Carolina. We also strive to encourage behavioral changes to protect water quality and create opportunities for watershed stewardship. 

Volunteer water quality monitors help our state by collecting data on waterways that may not be regularly monitored otherwise. This data establishes baseline conditions, indicates possible water quality concerns, and is used for education. Volunteers enter data into a free, publicly accessible database. Data can be used by anyone to increase community awareness, spark investigation with local partners when pollution threats emerge, conduct research, advocate for water quality, construct watershed plans, and so much more. The data collected through SC AAS is not regulatory in nature and cannot be used to target individuals but can be a part of community-led engagement.  

SC AAS was launched in 2017 through a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Clemson University’s Center for Watershed Excellence. Initial program development and implementation was funded by a series of EPA Wetland Development Grants. The goal of the program was to support volunteer engagement in the monitoring of waterways. SC AAS began with protocols for volunteers to conduct both freshwater stream and macroinvertebrate monitoring. Tidal saltwater monitoring was added to the program in 2021, followed by lake monitoring in 2023. Anyone interested in protecting South Carolina’s waterways can attend a free workshop for any of these monitoring programs and collect data with SC AAS.    

Today the program is led by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) operated in conjunction with the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC), Clemson University, and numerous public and private supporters. SCDES administers the program and supports three regional SC AAS program coordinators to keep the program running and growing. EEASC manages Friends of SC AAS, and Clemson houses the public database and online recertification course. Local partners across the state provide additional support and foster program growth. The program is currently supported by State funds as well as partner and sponsor contributions.
 

The mission of SC AAS is to empower community members to protect and improve water quality through education and certified volunteer monitoring. Our vision is that one day, South Carolina is known for its healthy watersheds because of this collaborative statewide network of volunteers.

The Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization with a leadership role in environmental and natural resource conservation education in the Palmetto State. In 2025, EEASC partnered with SC AAS to launch Friends of SC AAS, a new platform for donors to help fund kits, chemical refills, workshops, and other program supplies. You can become a Friend of SC AAS by making a tax-deductible contribution in support of volunteer water quality monitoring efforts across the state. Contributions in any amount are appreciated. To learn more or donate, visit the Friends of SC AAS page on EEASC’s website.