S.C. Department of Environmental Services wins 2025 Notable State Documents Award for State Water Plan
March 12, 2026
The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is the recipient of a 2025 Notable State Documents Award from the South Carolina State Library for the 2025 South Carolina State Water Plan, published Dec. 11, 2025. The award recognizes outstanding state government publications that demonstrate excellence in content, research and public value.
Developed under the direction of Gov. Henry McMaster, the 181-page State Water Plan builds on decades of data, modeling and research compiled by several state and federal agencies. The plan also reflects critical input from members of the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group, the state’s eight River Basin Councils and key stakeholders representing agriculture, energy, industry, conservation, academia and other important water-use sectors.
“This recognition highlights the importance of thoughtful, collaborative planning when it comes to managing South Carolina’s water resources,” said Myra Reece, director of SCDES. “The State Water Plan provides a strong foundation to help ensure reliable and sustainable water supplies for our communities, economy and environment now and in the future.”
The plan examines current and projected water demand by sector, assesses water availability across the state, outlines drought response considerations and explores conceptual approaches for future water policy planning. Its goal is to support informed decision-making and long-term water sustainability statewide and help ensure proper management of the state’s natural water resources for at least the next 50 years.
The plan was announced during a press conference with Gov. Henry McMaster at the State House on Dec. 11, 2025.
The 2025 South Carolina State Water Plan and the complementary Our Water Future: The Leadership Guide to South Carolina’s Water Plan are available at des.sc.gov/WaterSC.
The S.C. State Library’s Notable State Documents Awards Program began in 1991 as a way to recognize exemplary state publications. A complete list of the 2025 winners is available on the State Library’s website at statelibrary.sc.gov.
