“The next 50 years” — Governor, state leaders unveil updated water plan

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — South Carolina residents use about six billion gallons of water each day, say leaders with the SC Department of Environmental Services.

As our state experiences more and more growth, that number will only increase. The new 2025 State Water Plan aims at making sure our resources meet those demands.

Myra Reece, Director of  SC Environmental Services, says the state is changing — and SC is one of the fastest growing places in the country.

“New families and businesses are moving in, and our towns and cities are building for the future. With that growth, comes one unavoidable truth — our water resources will be tested like never before,” says Reece.

The department is unveiling its new 181 page report along with Governor Henry McMaster — which addresses areas of concern like water demand, water availability, drought response, and water quality.

“While we have been focused solely on water quantity, making sure enough water is at the right place at the right time, we need to also focus on water quality, making sure the available water is suitable for use,” says Reece.

The plan was first developed in 1998, and then updated in 2004. McMaster established Water SC in 2024 to gather ideas from across the state and provide input into the state’s new water plan.

Twenty one years later, the newest update is meant to provide a long term strategy for maintaining reliable water supplies — and continuing conservation, farming, and energy needs — for the next 50 years.

“Families are growing, businesses are growing, we’ve got enormous natural resources. We have to protect them, and we have to grow too. Those things work hand in hand,” says Gov. McMaster.

For a link to view the full report, click here.