DHEC’s Environmental Justice Strong program, or EJ Strong, in collaboration with the University of South Carolina’s South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association (SCAWWA) and Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) Carolina Water Club Student Chapter, recently initiated a water monitoring endeavor in partnership with students from Lower Richland High School as part of the Lower Richland’s Citizens Earning and Learning Initiative.  

Collaboration between the Lower Richland Community and EJ Strong started in November 2022, identifying flooding as a significant environmental concern in the area. In response to these flooding and water quality challenges, Beata Dewitt, La’Nya Green and Robert Reese of EJ Strong have taken the lead in establishing a Community Water Monitoring Group, including participation from students at Lower Richland High School. 

On Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, students collected water samples along the Cedar Creek of Congaree National Park using DHEC’s Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater Monitoring Kits. The Carolina Water Club facilitated the water sampling event, leveraging their certification as volunteers of the Adopt-a-Stream Program. Members of the Water Club volunteered to instruct and assist students in conducting habitat assessments and tests for water temperature, pH levels, and dissolved oxygen.  

This event marks the beginning of several student-led sampling sessions planned for this spring semester.