MOLLY JONES, REGIONAL WATER RESOURCES AGENT
When the South Carolina Drought Response Committee updates the state’s status, it is more important than ever for Palmetto State residents to understand how drought impacts their daily lives and what they can do to protect our shared water resources.
Navigating drought conditions in South Carolina requires an understanding of how state agencies manage these dry spells, their real-time impacts, and the actionable conservation steps residents can take.
Monitoring and Management: The Roles of SCDNR and SCDES
Drought response in South Carolina is a highly coordinated effort led by two primary state agencies, alongside local partners:
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR): Acting as the chair of the State Drought Response Committee, SCDNR formally tracks climatic variables, coordinates drought declarations (Incipient, Moderate, Severe, and Extreme), and oversees the state’s Drought Response Program.
- South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES): SCDES focuses heavily on structural water resources. They maintain the Groundwater Drought Monitoring Network—a system of real-time telemetry wells across the state—to track underground water table levels. SCDES also works directly with municipal water systems to ensure their localized drought response plans and infrastructure remain resilient.
When water tables drop, these agencies monitor everything from streamflow to underground aquifers to ensure public safety.
Impacts on South Carolina Residents
Drought is not just about a brown lawn; it has a cascading effect on our infrastructure, economy, and environment.
- Water Supply and Restrictions: As ground and surface water levels drop, municipal water systems may be required to implement local drought ordinances. During “Severe” or “Extreme” phases, the reduction or curtailment of non-essential water uses (like filling pools or washing cars).
- Private Well Strain: For residents relying on groundwater, dropping water tables can cause shallow residential wells to struggle or go completely dry.
- Wildfire Risks: Dry brush and low humidity create a powder keg environment. Major historic events remind us how quickly a spark can consume thousands of net acres of South Carolina forest during dry spells.
- Agricultural Stress: Drought stresses livestock, depletes essential forage, and destroys row crops, which ripples into the local economy.
Water-Wise Conservation: Insights from Clemson Cooperative Extension
Inside the Home
- Fix the Drips: A leaky faucet or a running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a week. Check your fixtures regularly.
- Load it Up: Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are completely full.
- Shorten Showers: Cutting just two minutes off your daily shower can save up to five gallons of water per shower.
Around the Yard
Clemson Extension advises utilizing “Water-Wise” landscaping principles to drastically lower your outdoor water footprint:
- Water Deeply but Infrequently: Rather than light daily sprinkling, water your lawn deeply (applying about one inch of water) early in the morning. Then, allow the turf to dry thoroughly between waterings. This encourages grass to grow deeper, more drought-resilient root systems.
- Embrace Native and Adapted Plants: Group plants with similar water needs together. Utilizing native South Carolina flora reduces the overall water demand and improves pest resistance.
- Let Grass Go “Off-Color”: Popular South Carolina turfgrasses like Bermudagrass are highly drought tolerant. Allowing them to go dormant and lose color during dry periods saves immense amounts of water; they will naturally green up again when rain returns.
- Transition to Drip Irrigation and Mulch: Swap out inefficient overhead sprinklers for drip irrigation systems that deliver water directly to the soil, minimizing evaporation. Apply a heavy layer of organic mulch around trees and flower beds to lock in soil moisture.
What Every Resident Should Keep in Mind
Before you turn on the hose or light a backyard fire pit, remember these three rules of thumb:
- Check Your Zip Code: Because local water systems manage their own triggers, conservation mandates vary. Check your local utility provider’s website to see what restrictions apply to you.
- Space Out Your Water Use: If you are on a private well, avoid running the washing machine, the dishwasher, and the shower all at once. Give your well time to naturally recharge.
- Respect the Burn Bans: Always check with the South Carolina Forestry Commission before doing any outdoor burning. When a drought hits, a simple backyard bonfire can easily turn catastrophic.
Stay Up to Date!
Drought management is a community effort. For the latest county-by-county updates, resources, and map breakdowns, keep an eye on the official South Carolina Drought Portal.
By making a few small adjustments today, we can protect South Carolina’s beautiful natural resources for tomorrow!
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
