Permit Central
Radioactive Waste
SCDES's Radioactive Waste program:, Carries out the responsibilities delegated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as an Agreement State Regulates the Barnwell low-level radioactive waste disposal facility (also known as the Chem-Nuclear Site) Regulates the transportation of radioactive waste into and within South Carolina Licenses facilities that process and transport radioactive waste Provides technical assistance to other…, Related Topics, Forms for Radioactive Waste BLWM Notice To Employees Radioactive Waste Transport Permit Application D-0800 Radioactive Waste Shipment Prior Notification Form D-0802 Radioactive Waste Shipment Certifications D-0803 Application For Radioactive Material License D-0813 Chem-Nuclear Site Monitoring Savannah River Nuclear Site Monitoring, Contacts, Kimberley Noonan Manager, (803) 898-0493 Radioactive Waste Staff , (803)-898-0422X-Ray Vendors Registered in South Carolina
The following businesses are registered with SCDES:, Class I - Direct Sale and Transfer of Radiation Machines and Machine Components, Class II - Installation, Assembly, Service, and Testing of Radiation Machines and Associated Components, Class II-A - Installation of Radiation Machines and Associated Machine Components, Class II-B - Servicing of Radiation Machines and Associated Machine Components, Class II-C - Perform "Equipment Performance Tests" as Outlined in RHB 4.2.16, Class III - Diagnostic Radiographic Facility and Shielding Design, Class IV - Non-Healing Arts Facility and Shielding Design and Area Radiation Survey, Class VI - Radiation Instrument Calibration, Class VII - Therapeutic Facility and Shielding Design, Area Radiation Surveys, or Calibration, Class VIII - General Health Physics Consulting, Non-Healing Arts, Class IX - General Health Physics Consulting, Healing ArtsUST Testing Companies, Contractors & Recyclers Lists
Testing Companies, Cathodic Protection Testing Vendors List SIR Vendors List Underground Storage Tank Testing Vendors List , Recyclers, Tank Sludge RecyclersWhere to Apply
Effective June 1, 2021, the Town of Moncks Corner located in Berkeley County will begin implementation of the South Carolina Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Program for land disturbance activities. The Town of Moncks Corner has received delegation under S.C. Regulation 72-300 to develop, implement, and enforce a program that includes the plan review and approval/disapproval, site…Fact Sheet: Getting a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit
Print a Copy of this Fact Sheet (pdf), What is the purpose of this permit?, When we talk about NPDES permits, we're really talking about a family of permits. One branch is designed to deal with stormwater runoff. A second branch - the subject of this fact sheet - focuses on discharges from city (domestic) and industrial wastewater treatment systems. Essentially, all NPDES permits allow discharges within acceptable limits. The limits are designed to protect streams and…, Who issues this permit?, The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) administers NPDES permits within South Carolina. DHEC has been authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage the NPDES permitting process to satisfy both state and federal laws., What types of businesses need to obtain this permit?, Manufacturing operations, car washes, auto salvage yards, wastewater treatment plants, utility companies, mining operations, petroleum storage facilities, aquaculture operations, and hydrostatic testing operations are just a few of the businesses that need NPDES permits to operate. There are two sub-categories of NPDES permits: General NPDES permit: Each general permit applies to a particular…, How much will it cost to get an NPDES permit?, There is no application fee for an NPDES permit, but DHEC does assess yearly operational fees. A general NPDES permit costs $75-$100 each year. An individual NPDES permit costs from $530 to a couple of thousand dollars yearly, depending on the design flow, the volume of discharge, the number of discharge pipes, and other factors., Where can I get the application form(s) for this permit?, You can download permit application forms from our website . Depending on the characteristics of waste your business will discharge and other factors, you may need to complete more than one form as part of your application packet. To make sure you complete all the necessary forms the first time around, we urge you to speak to a DHEC permitting expert by phone or in person in the earliest stages…, What, if anything, do I need to include with my application form(s)?, Each situation is different. Some applicants will need to submit an engineering report. Some will need to submit an 'alternatives analysis' demonstrating that discharging pollutants into surface water is the only option realistically available (part of an anti-degradation analysis). We strongly urge you to discuss your specific situation with a DHEC permitting expert early in your planning…, What factors will come into play in DHEC's decision about whether to grant my business/facility a permit?, There are so many variables that can affect whether or not DHEC will grant an individual NPDES permit that two similar industries may apply for the same permit but get different outcomes depending on the discharge location. Each applicant for an individual permit must undergo a case-specific review. Factors affecting the timing of the permit process that may come into play include public…, How long will it take to review and approve my application?, This is a tough question to answer without knowing the project details. General NPDES permits take much less time than individual NPDES permits. For general NPDES permits, we usually complete our staff review process within a couple of weeks once we receive the completed paperwork and documentation that allows us to grant coverage to your business under the general permit. Of course, if you fail…, Where do I submit my application?, Mail your application to: DHEC Bureau of Water Water Facilities Permitting Division Columbia, South Carolina 29201, How long is my permit valid?, An NPDES permit is good for 5 years. As for renewals, as long as you file a complete application to renew your permit at least 180 days in advance of the expiration date, state law allows you to continue operations without disruption., What is the appeal process for being turned down for a permit or having my permit revoked?, For information on the permit appeals process, visit our website . Be aware that third parties also have the right to file an appeal and challenge DHEC's permit decision., Who can I contact if I have questions about this permit or the application process?, Mail your application to: Municipal/domestic systems : Call Mike Montebello at (803) 898-4228 or email him at Mike.Montebello@dhec.sc.gov . Industry systems : Call Crystal Rippy at (803) 898-3964 or email her at Crystal.Rippy@dhec.sc.gov ., Where does the legal authority for this permit come from?, The authority for NPDES permits stems from federal and state laws. Our state environmental laws are written to be consistent with at least the standards set by federal laws. DHEC's fee structure is authorized by a separate law. Federal Clean Water Act S.C. Pollution Control Act S.C. Environmental Protection Fund ActHelp Document King Tides: How Your Photos Support Coastal Science
If you live along South Carolina’s coast: The last of 2025’s King Tides are predicted to occur this weekend. While this marks the end of this year’s events, it does not mean communities and individuals should ease up on their preparedness. These exceptionally high-water levels could present challenges to public safety and property. A serene landscape featuring a reflective marsh, a wooden walkway…Solid Waste Landfills and Structural Fill Regulation
How can I find out whether a landfill in my area is meeting the regulation requirements?, Your local environmental quality control office has an inspector who routinely inspects landfills in your area. The inspector has the most current knowledge of a landfill's compliance status. Every 5 years staff from the central office in Columbia review a landfill's file to include these inspection reports, as well as the facility's operation plan. Permits may be modified to accommodate needed…, Laws and Regulations, Regulation 61-107.19, Solid Waste Management: Solid Waste Landfills and Structural Fill, Contact, Marty Lindler , Director, (803) 898-0456SCDES Encourages Residents to Reduce Household Waste and Recycle Right this Holiday Season
Household waste can increase by 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 8, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) encourages residents to give the gift of sustainability this holiday season by making the effort to reduce waste through recycling, reuse, smart planning, and more. The holidays mean presents and food along with decorations, gift wrapping, parties, meals with family and friends –…, said Richard Chesley, Section Manager with the SCDES Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling, . “It doesn’t have to be that way. By making small changes, each of us can minimize our environmental footprints during the holidays to ensure a sustainable South Carolina." SCDES helps make recycling as easy as possible with several easy-to-use online resources, including the Recycle Here SC mobile phone app. This free app consolidates information for residents on what, where, and how to…, Be sure to recycle right. , Items placed in the recycling bin that can't be recycled in your local program are called “contamination.” If a load of recyclables has too much contamination, it gets thrown away instead of being recycled. Download the free Recycle Here SC phone app to get rid of the confusion about what to recycle. , Be mindful of hard-to-manage items., Some common items like lithium-ion batteries, electronics, and household hazardous waste can be recycled but should not go into your recycling bin. These items require special handling to make sure they don’t hurt people or the environment. Visit SCDES's webpage about recycling hard-to-manage items or call 1-800-768-7348. Learn about the safe handling and recycling of batteries at …, Keep it clean., Items you recycle are empty and relatively clean; no liquids, food or residue should go in your recycling bin. , Reduce and reuse. , Recycling is supported by reducing the amount of household waste that’s generated and by reusing or repurposing items. The Don’t Waste Food SC public education campaign, which is coordinated by SCDES, provides helpful resources to prevent food waste and save you money. The campaign encourages residents to prevent food waste and donate perishable food and non-perishable food to local food…, Meal planning., Only buying the amount of ingredients you need for each dish helps reduce food waste. , Do a head count., Knowing how many people to prepare food for helps reduce the amount of prepared but unneeded food. , Reusable containers for leftovers., Send your guests home with leftovers in a reusable container. This helps eliminate single-use materials like plastic wrap and keeps large quantities of food from going unused and spoiling in your fridge. , Composting., If you can’t donate or reuse your leftovers, another option is composting. Sending food waste to a composting facility or composting at home can improve soil health and structure, increase water retention, support native plants, and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. “We can all take steps to reduce the amount of household waste that’s created during the holiday season, and doing…, Chesley said. , “Proper recycling and food waste reduction also supports SCDES in its everyday mission of protecting and preserving our state’s air, land, water and coastal resources now and for future generations.” More information about local recycling programs, proper recycling tips, and food waste reduction efforts are all available at des.sc.gov/recycling. ###Infectious Waste Generators FAQs
What is the purpose of this registration?, The Infectious Waste Generator Registration notifies SCDES that your facility is generating infectious waste. SCDES uses the registration information to perform inspections at your facility to verify that it is complying with regulations., Who issues this registration?, The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control issues this registration., What activities require this registration?, Generating infectious waste that meets the definition in the South Carolina Infectious Waste Management Regulations, R. 61-105 requires a facility to register with SCDES. In general, to be considered regulated waste, the waste must be generated in the healthcare community and includes items such as sharps, blood, bodily fluids, pathological waste, etc. The regulatory definition can be found in…, How much will this registration cost?, The amount of the fee depends on how much regulated infectious waste your facility generates. SCDES does not charge a fee for small quantity generators (those that produce less than 50 pounds of infectious waste per month). For large quantity generators (those that produce 50 pounds or greater in any one calendar month) the fee is $150 annually. For extra large quantity generators (those that…, Where can I get the application for this registration?, You can download the registration form from our website . Applicants can also request a copy by calling (803) 898-0239 or (803) 898-0493 or email: infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov ., What, if anything, do I need to include with my application?, If your facility generates enough infectious waste to warrant a fee, you must submit a check along with the application for the appropriate amount. Make the check payable to S.C. SCDES., Is the decision on my permit application dependent on anything besides the information I provide in my application?, Since this is a registration, there is no permit decision to be made. We register each applicant once we receive the required information and the appropriate fee., How long will it take to review and approve my application?, It typically takes about 3 business days to process an application once we receive it. If you require a faster turnaround, please contact our office at (803) 898-0239 or (803) 898-0493 , or at infectiouswaste@des.sc.gov and we will do our best to accommodate your request., Where do I submit my application?, The application should be submitted by mail to: Infectious Waste Management Program Bureau of Land and Waste Management S.C. SCDES 2600 Bull Street Columbia SC 29201 You can also fax your application to SCDES's Infectious Waste Management Program at (803) 898-0391 ., How long is my coverage valid?, It depends on the volume of infectious waste your facility produces each month. Small quantity generators (those that produce less than 50 pounds of infectious waste per month): Registration is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. Large and extra-large generators: Registration is valid for up to 3 years, expiring on April 30 of the third successive calendar year. (For example, a…, What is the appeal process for being turned down for a permit or having my registration revoked?, There is not an appeal process since this is not a permit. However, registration may be withheld due to an incomplete or inaccurate form. If this occurs, we will attempt to contact you by email, phone and/or postal service to straighten out discrepancies. Who can I contact if I have questions about this registration or the application process? • Call Kimberley Noonan at (803) 898-0493 ., Legal authority for this permit:, The authority for this registration stems from this state law: S.C. Infectious Waste Management Act