WaterWise

Welcome to WaterWise, your one-stop shop for all things water in the City of Charleston.
Select one of the topics below to begin exploring. Discover a wide range of City resources and programs.

Contact Us

Office of Resilience & Sustainability
Physical Address
80 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401

Kaylan Koszela

Director of Resilience

koszelak@charleston-sc.gov

Phone: (843) 371-9643

Page Sections:

Resident Tools & Education — Get Involved — Projects — Hurricanes — Stormwater — Resilience & Sustainability — Policy & Strategy — Development & Floodplain Management — Partners

WATERWISE Spotlight

Winter

Winter Weather Resilience

This month, we’re spotlighting winter weather resilience! It may snow rarely in Charleston, but cold weather still has impacts on water. It’s harder for cold and frozen earth to absorb water. This can cause more runoff and puddling during winter months. Ice can also clog drains, gutters, and ditches. These impacts can hinder drainage and prevent our systems from working as intended. Explore WaterWise to learn about water safety preparedness!

WATERWISE Spotlight

November 2025: Fall Yard Care & Water Education

As leaves accumulate this fall, tidying your yard will help build resilience against water. Clearing gutters, trimming branches, and raking leaves away from drains ensures water can flow freely. Want to lend a hand? Join the “AdoptaDrain” program on WaterWise to help keep local drains clear. Or, join “Charleston Rainproof” to help turn yard care into climate resilience. During this season, small habits can pay off when heavy rains arrive.
Every month this year, we’re highlighting great content found on the new WaterWise website. This November, we’re featuring our water and flooding education resources! Dive in to enhance your understanding of water’s importance in Charleston. WaterWise hosts entire pages dedicated to explaining key issues. It offers a range of useful handouts that explain best practices for managing water. The site is also home to interactive maps and data which help you learn about the geography of water in the city. Start learning today, because preparing for Water is always Wise!

WATERWISE Spotlight
October 2025: King Tides & Coastal Flood Awareness This month brings a valuable opportunity to better understand our coastal environment. The term “king tide” describes the highest seasonal tides that occur each year. From October 7–11, Charleston expects to experience one of these naturally-occurring tides. During this window, residents should be mindful of coastal water levels and drive safely! Every month this year, we’re highlighting great content found on the new WaterWise website. This October, we’re featuring our flood detection and real-time alert resources! WaterWise features a range of tools that keep us informed, connected, and proactive. Our TIDEeye tool offers forecasts like the king tide dates shown above. The “Report Issues & Request Maintenance” page helps you request drain cleaning and maintenance. We have tons of cool maps and news feeds, because preparing for Water is always Wise!

WATERWISE Spotlight

October 2025: King Tides & Coastal Flood Awareness

This month brings a valuable opportunity to better understand our coastal environment. The term “king tide” describes the highest seasonal tides that occur each year. From October 7–11, Charleston expects to experience one of these naturally-occurring tides. During this window, residents should be mindful of coastal water levels and drive safely!
Every month this year, we’re highlighting great content found on the new WaterWise website. This October, we’re featuring our flood detection and real-time alert resources! WaterWise features a range of tools that keep us informed, connected, and proactive. Our TIDEeye tool offers forecasts like the king tide dates shown above. The “Report Issues & Request Maintenance” page helps you request drain cleaning and maintenance. We have tons of cool maps and news feeds, because preparing for Water is always Wise!

WATERWISE Spotlight

September: Flood Protection Projects

This month, we encourage learning more about projects underway and planned to help provide flooding relief city-wide. From neighborhood drainage projects to large scale infrastructure projects that will protect the city for decades to come, learn more about efforts to help reduce impacts of flooding.
The "Projects" section on WaterWise outlines all active water management efforts across Charleston. You'll find everything from interactive maps to detailed project descriptions and updates. Start exploring to see how and when critical measures are being implemented. That's WaterWise in action!

WATERWISE Spotlight

July 2025: New Website & Hurricane Season

We are excited to announce the launch of WaterWise, the City of Charleston’s new one-stop website for all things water. WaterWise was built as a follow-up to the City’s recent open houses. The site reflects what we heard from residents: a desire for clear, accessible, and centralized information. The site will grow over time, receiving updates and a new data dashboard. This rollout is part of a broader commitment to keep our community informed, prepared, and connected when it comes to Charleston’s water future.
As we enter the second month of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, WaterWise is also your hub for storm readiness. Under the "Hurricanes" page section, you will find a variety of essential resources. These include evacuation zone maps and tips on flood insurance and preparedness. You’ll also find links to local emergency alerts and newsfeeds. While we hope for a calm season, staying informed and prepared for Water is always Wise!

Resident Tools & Education

Get Involved

Projects

Hurricanes

Stormwater

Resilience & Sustainability

Policy & Strategy

Development & Floodplain Management

WaterWise Partners

Nature-Based Exchange ^{The Nature-Based Exchange is a joint effort. It is run by The Nature Conservancy, Clemson’s Urban Design Program, and the City of Charleston. The Exchange joins these partners to discuss and develop nature-based solutions. They fight sea level rise and flooding by protecting and restoring ecosystems.}	Preservation Society of Charleston ^{The Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC) is an advocacy organization founded in 1920. It's dedicated to preserving Charleston’s unique character, quality of life, and neighborhoods. The PSC encourages property owners to adapt buildings to be more resilient. Through this, the PSC seeks to help preserve the city.}	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District ^{The Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District is the City’s federal partner in working on large scale projects to address flooding across the City. The City is actively engaged with the Army Corps on the Battery Extension project, the Brick Arches restoration on the Peninsula, infrastructure improvements in the Medical District, and developing Tidal & Inland flooding solutions city-wide, including nature-based solutions on James Island and in West Ashley.}	Charleston County ^{The City of Charleston is located in Charleston County and Berkeley County. The City shares jurisdiction for services with these counties in the greater Charleston area. They also collaborate with the City of Charleston's flood planning and emergency response.}
Berkeley County ^{The City of Charleston is located in Charleston County and Berkeley County. The City shares jurisdiction for services with these counties in the greater Charleston area. They also collaborate with the City of Charleston's flood planning and emergency response.}	South Carolina Office of Resilience ^{The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is a key state partner to the City of Charleston. SCOR provides data, funding, and long-term planning support. SCOR's plans and coordination guide local priorities. The City works with SCOR to pursue grants and develop new infrastructure.}	James Island Public Service District ^{The James Island Public Service District is an independent body. They provide some water, fire, and trash services on James Island. They collaborate with the City of Charleston's flood planning and emergency response.}	Coastal Conservation League ^{The Coastal Conservation League (CCL) collaborates with the City to protect coastal environments. The CCL advocates for sustainable land use, marsh protection, and green infrastructure.}
Charleston Waterkeeper ^{Charleston Waterkeeper monitors pollution in local waterways. They advocate and partner with the City to improve water quality.}	The Nature Conservancy ^{The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit that works in South Carolina. They promote natural solutions to protect our coasts.}	South Carolina Aquarium ^{The Aquarium runs the SeaRise project. Through this project, the City has partnered with the Aquarium to install signs throughout Charleston showing residents how to document flooding.}	South Carolina Sea Grant ^{The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is a state agency that manages the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program. They partner with the City to promote resilience initiatives at the intersection of water management and heat awareness.}
Historic Charleston Foundation ^{The Historic Charleston Foundation advocates for historic preservation. They help the City develop standards for adapting historic buildings for flooding. They also engage the community on this issue and help propose sustainable solutions.}	Carolina Ocean Alliance ^{The Carolina Ocean Alliance organizes local events like The Hope Summit. The Hope Summit brings together community leaders, government, and youth to work on water resilience. This community organizing helps spread awareness and build grassroots support for adaptation work.}	Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities ^{The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities partners with the City on resilience projects. They are especially engaged in specific neighborhoods such as Rosemont and Bridgeview.}	Natural Resources Defense Council ^{The City partners with NRDP to help improve programs for flood-damaged properties and improve the efficiency of FEMA programs.}