According to Heather Preston, director of the Water Quality Division for DHECs Bureau of Water, wetlands are vegetated aquatic ecosystems that include areas such as Carolina bays, marshes and swamps. Wetlands provide habitat for wildlife such as waterfowl, as well as for economically important fish and shellfish populations. Wetlands also provide safety and economic benefits to communities in the state by reducing flooding, cleaning and replenishing water supplies.

“Although wetlands serve as a vital link between land and water, they are historically misunderstood and under appreciated,” said Preston. “In the past, they were often used as dump sites and, unfortunately, appeared to be of value only when drained and developed.   Read more...

If you’re not sure, this short video from College of Charleston students will be a nice wake-up call – one that everybody should take notice of as fellow stewards of our environment.

Greywater, also known as sullage, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as dish washing, laundry and bathing. Greywater comprises 50-80% of the residential wastewater generated from all of the house’s sanitation equipment, except for the septic tank (water from toilets is blackwater, or sewage).

Well, when you hear that, you’d think you own water you paid for to get to your house, and if you choose to recycle it in some manner and reuse it, you should be able to without any problem, right? Wrong.

Maybe not here in S.C., but in Las Vegas, water that’s used indoors travels a continuous loop. From people’s homes, water flows to a treatment plant, and is then sent back to Lake Mead where an equal amount is pumped out of the lake, and the 12-mile journey back to the treatment plants and then homes starts all over again.   Read more...

In this short video, S.C. State Senator Chip Campsen explains the Fair Share Water Bill. S.275, among other things, will legislate water withdrawal to balance public and private water needs by ensuring clean, abundant water for everyone.

In related news about water today, the AP is reporting that South Carolina will be allowed to present oral arguments to the Supreme Court as to why utilities and municipalities should stay out of the state’s water dispute with North Carolina.

The U.S. Supreme Court did not give a time frame or issue any other comment in making its decision Monday.
The action is the latest in a battle over the Catawba River basin. In 2007, South Carolina filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop North Carolina from draining the watershed.   Read more...