Preventing Stormwater Pollution | South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

Pollution Prevention begins with properly identifying stormwater pollution and how to prevent its release. Homeowners and community organizations can properly excel at preventing stormwater runoff pollution through lawn maintenance, pet waste removal and even maintaining existing stormwater BMPs.

The majority of Urbanized Areas are provided with storm sewer infrastructure that collects stormwater runoff as a fast and effective way to alleviate flooding issues caused by the increase of runoff associated with these communities' impervious footprint. Unfortunately, these systems also provide a quick route for pollution to reach downstream waterways. Simple devices or actions can be implemented to keep polluted stormwater from reaching downstream waters in this manner.

Another practice that can aid in reducing the release of polluted stormwater is the implementation of Silviculture. Silviculture entails the re-establishment of forest areas in or around urbanized areas to help aid in the absorption of excess water and nutrients before being released into storm sewer systems. Many aspects of Silviculture work toward establishing vegetative growth to a past or beneficial condition usually in the way directed by the surrounding community.

Various Pollution Prevention techniques have been provided as additional resources below, in an attempt to aid in the establishment of proper stormwater management within all communities of South Carolina.

"Stormwater management is not solely the responsibility of engineers, developers, or regulators; its responsibility rests upon each and every individual who resides, labors, and interacts within the state of South Carolina. It is time to learn how to do your part in the effort to reestablish the pristine waterways that once flourished in South Carolina."

Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.
Don't overwater your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
Compost or mulch yard waste. Don't leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by stormwater and discharged into nearby waterbodies. Pathogens can cause public health problems and environmental concerns.
Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3 to 5 years).
Don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a waterbody.
Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters.
When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Wrap pet waste in a plastic bag and put it in the trashcan. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are broadly defined by the South Carolina Department Environmental Services as stormwater management and conservation practices that have been demonstrated to effectively control the movement of pollutants, prevent degradation of soil and water resources, and that are compatible with the land use. Simply put, BMPs help us manage and lessen the adverse impacts typically associated with stormwater runoff. BMPs can be divided into two categories: structural and nonstructural.

Structural BMPs can be thought of as engineering solutions to stormwater management. Structural BMPs are used to treat stormwater at the point of generation, the point of discharge, or at any point along the stormwater "treatment train." Structural BMPs can serve many different functions based on their design. Some structural BMPs are designed particularly for urban areas, whereas others may be designed for agriculture, forestry, or mining areas. Common examples of structural BMPs usually found within urban areas include stormwater ponds and open channels (swales).

Nonstructural BMPs are just that – nonstructural. There are no physical structures associated with these types of BMPs. Nonstructural BMPs are designed to limit the amount of pollutants available in the environment that would potentially end up in stormwater runoff. Nonstructural BMPs typically lessen the need for the more costly structural BMPs. Nonstructural BMPs can be achieved through such things as education, management, and development practices. Some examples include ordinances and practices associated with land use and comprehensive site planning.

Low Impact Development (LID) is an innovative stormwater management approach with a basic principle that is modeled after nature. LID's goal is to mimic a site's predevelopment hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source. Examples of LID include vegetated buffers, swales, and permeable pavers.

Techniques are based on the premise that stormwater management should not be seen as stormwater disposal. Instead of conveying and managing stormwater in large, costly end-of-pipe facilities located at the bottom of drainage areas, LID addresses stormwater through small, cost-effective landscape features located at the lot level.

LID allows for greater development potential with less environmental impacts through the use of smarter designs and advanced technologies that achieve a better balance between conservation, growth, ecosystem protection, and public health. LID has numerous benefits and advantages over conventional stormwater management approaches. In short, it is a more environmentally sound technology and a more economically sustainable approach to addressing the adverse impacts of urbanization. By managing runoff close to its source through intelligent site design, LID can enhance the local environment, protect public health, and improve community livability - all while saving developers and local governments money.