South Carolina Launches WaterSC To Address Water Policy

Cross-Functional Initiative Brings Leaders From All Sectors To Shape Statewide Resource Planning

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster inaugurated a new working group to tackle strategic water planning for the Palmetto State’s future.

Formed in September and meeting for the first time October 30, WaterSC is a group of public and private sector leaders, academics, and representatives from NGOs like utilities, conservation and historic preservation entities, agriculture, forestry, and trade organizations.

According to Gov. McMaster’s executive order from September, WaterSC will operate under South Carolina’s Department of Environmental Services and is led by DES Interim Director Myra Reece. Its first order of business is to develop a report on the current state of surface water, along with recommendations for revisions to current state law regarding “sustainable surface water withdrawal practices and procedures.” The report is expected by the end of January 2025.

The other major deliverable commissioned by the governor is assistance on updating South Carolina’s State Water Plan, including revisions to policy related to water resources and “changes related to the use and control of surface water and groundwater”, for publication by the end of 2025.

To say that the governor’s timetable is aggressive is putting it mildly; WaterSC went from being created by fiat to a fully fledged 31-person cross-functional committee within little more than a month, with its first major findings to be delivered within 90 days. And all of this as Hurricane Helene’s impact can still be felt across almost the entire Palmetto State.

According to a WCSC-TV report, Reece isn’t deterred by the demands placed on WaterSC.“We aren’t starting from scratch. We know more today than ever before about water use.”

Having initial buy-in and alignment from a vast cross-section of thought leaders, government officials, industry executives and conservation and historical experts goes a long way toward ensuring their success. Citing South Carolina’s robust population growth and economic uplift, proactively addressing the most critical of natural resources is a savvy move toward safeguarding all aspects of South Carolina’s future.

At Safe-T-Cover, we are staunch advocates for sustainability and resource preservation. Our enclosures aren’t just our business, they’re a reflection of our commitment to environmental stewardship. We support trade level, civic, state and federal initiatives that effectively and responsibly protect our resources, including consulting and working with officials at all levels to inform policy that promote clean water and safety related to equipment, including Thinking Outside the Vault: keeping backflows, pumps, meters and valves above grade in an enclosure. 

Yes, that’s our business, but with roughly 100 workers dying every year in confined space deaths, it’s everyone’s business. 

We applaud South Carolina’s drive toward a sustainable water future, and encourage other states to follow their example. When it comes to water, there is no party distinction. We’re all in this together.