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.
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World Water Monitoring Day was established to create awareness about the importance of protecting water resources around the world by engaging people to monitor their local water bodies. Water monitoring kits can be ordered any time for purchase.
Do you like the outdoors and getting your feet wet in streams?
Would you like to learn first-hand about the water quality where you live?
Are you interested in citizen science?
If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, join the citizens of South Carolina who have been certified to monitor stream quality though the South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream program. Established in 2017, SC Adopt-a-Stream is an EPA-approved freshwater monitoring program that teaches volunteers how to collect bacteria, biological parameters, and chemical and physical data (including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity).
SC Adopt-a-Stream has awarded 1,400 certifications to contribute to the program. Over 200 sites statewide have been identified within the program’s database. Volunteers can become certified to collect data by attending one of the free workshops offered around the state.
Upcoming workshops:
| Date | Time | Location |
| September 28, 2019 | 9:30AM | USC Upstate Campus |
| October 5, 2019 | 9:30AM | USC Upstate Campus |
| October 11, 2019 | 9:00AM | 506 South Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC |
| October 16, 2019 | NOON | Center for Watershed Excellence |
For more details about upcoming workshops and registration, visit: https://www.clemson.edu/public/water/watershed/scaas/aas-events.html. Follow SC Adopt-a-Stream on Facebook. This program is led in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Clemson University’s Center for Watershed Excellence.
DHEC’s Office of Environmental Affairs will host the 13th Annual Environmental Assistance Conference on Tuesday, November 19, from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Cooperative Conference Center (169 Laurelhurst Ave, Columbia, SC). This year’s theme is Compliance Assistance and Customer Service: DHEC and Industry Working Together. The agenda will include regulatory compliance and permitting topics, such as hazardous waste, dams, stormwater, air quality, solid waste and legislative updates.
Additionally, the conference will feature up to 30 local businesses and organizations in our exhibitor showcase. DHEC staff will also be available to answer any technical or permitting questions.
“DHEC’s annual Environmental Assistance Conference unites environmental regulators with DHEC staff and offers an exciting opportunity for continued learning and instruction on important topics relevant to our community and partners,” said Myra Reece, DHEC’s director of Environmental Affairs. “DHEC strives to meet our agency values of pursing excellence, innovation, service and teamwork. This conference is just one example of how DHEC’s dedicated Environmental Affairs team exemplifies our agency’s values by creating a learning and networking environment between the regulated community and our staff year after year.”
Deadline to register is Sunday, November 10. Registration for both attendees and exhibitors is on a first come, first serve basis. Space is available for up to 30 exhibitors and approximately 250 attendees. The attendee fee is $45 per person. The exhibitor fee is $300 per table and includes registration for two attendees. All registrations include access to the exhibitor room, all presentations, a light breakfast and lunch.
For conference updates and to register for the conference, please visit our website at www.scdhec.gov/environment/eac. Questions about the conference or registration can be directed to Rebecca Sproles at sprolemr@dhec.sc.gov or 803-898-3139. You don’t want to miss this event!
(GIF Credit: https://gfycat.com/sarcasticfittingaltiplanochinchillamouse-lifestyle-beverage-pouring-liquid-clear)
We are about to enter the dog days of summer, where hydration is necessary. Getting enough to drink is important whether you’re working out, traveling, or sun-bathing. Excessively drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain/obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, and gout. Those beverages may be sweetened with added sugars like corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, raw sugar, molasses, honey, malt syrup, etc.
Here are some tips from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about ways to increase your water intake:
Drinking water is a key to good health. The next time you are thirsty, rethink your drink and choose water.
Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.
What state health officials want beach-goers to know about water advisories
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — It’s officially beach season in Myrtle Beach and with that comes water advisories. However, officials with the South Carolina Department of Health say bacteria in the water advisories don’t mean the beach is closed for swimming.
DHEC’s Champions of the Environment Program
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) – Each year eight schools statewide are awarded a Champions of the Environment Grant for their environmental education projects.
Live Healthy S.C. 