Saluda River NPDES Permits - Renewal
DHEC has updated a water quality model for the Saluda, Broad and Congaree Rivers. This will require changes to discharges into these midlands rivers. Because of the high public interest in the Lower Saluda River, DHEC is working on the domestic NPDES renewal applications for the Lower Saluda at the same time. We welcome your input and would also like to give you information about the Midlands Rivers Coalition (past and future).
This page is a supplement to the NPDES public notice: 18-021-H
NPDES PERMITS
The following NPDES domestic wastewater permits renewal applications are currently in review and are the subject of the meeting and hearing described below:
- Draft Permit - Palmetto Wastewater Reclamation/Alpine (SC0029483) - (PDF)
- Draft Permit - Synergy Utilities/Bush River (SC0032743) - (PDF)
- Draft Permit - Palmetto Wastewater Reclamation/Woodlands (SC0029475) - (PDF)
PUBLIC MEETING with MIDLANDS RIVERS COALITION
This is an informal meeting to update the public on the Coalition, the summer monitoring program, the 208 Plan and the issues DHEC is evaluating in the renewal of the NPDES permits. This will allow for a Q/A session.
- Date/Time: April 3, 2018, 6:30pm
- Place: DHEC Peeples Auditorium (2600 Bull Street, Columbia)
DHEC PUBLIC HEARING
This is a formal event to receive oral comments from stakeholders for the permit renewal process. This is to complement the opportunity for written comments. Written comments must be received no later than April 13, 2018 (via letter or e-mail). A hearing is not an interactive meeting (e.g., not a Q/A session).
- Date/Time: April 10, 2018, 6:30pm
- Place: DHEC Peeples Auditorium (2600 Bull Street, Columbia)
NEXT STEPS
DHEC will review all written comments received during the comment period and oral comments from the hearing and then make final permitting decisions individually for the 3 subject permits. For more information and/or to make comments, contact Drew Edwards/DHEC-Bureau of Water/2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 -- edwardaj@dhec.sc.gov. Other info can be found at: www.scdhec.gov/water.
CWS/FRIARSGATE
While this permit (SC0036137) is also up for renewal, DHEC is not planning to renew the permit because Carolina Water Service is pursuing a path to eliminate the discharge by connection to a separate sewer system. This will require PSC approval.
Midlands Rivers Coalition: One Scenic River - One Goal - Many Partners
A variety of stakeholders came together to start an enhanced monitoring program for the Lower Saluda Scenic River during the 2017 recreational season. We want to encourage safe recreational use of the river. We are excited to announce that weekly water quality data will be accessible from www.howsmyscriver.org.
The Coalition (formerly Lower Saluda River Coalition) is made up of river related businesses, environmental groups, local and state government, property owners, industry and other users of the river. The goal/purpose is to ensure the safety of individuals while recreating on the river and to educate the public on issues related to natural waters. One goal is to make more frequent data available to river users so they can make informed decisions on when to recreate in the rivers. The enhanced monitoring program for 2018 is targeted from May through September. It involves extra monitoring locations that will be sampled weekly. http://howsmyscriver.org/