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  • Manure Broker & Land Applicator Information
    Manure Brokers, A manure broker is defined as a person who accepts or purchases animal manure from agricultural facilities and transfers this product to a third party for land application. The manure broker may either spread the manure themselves or simply transfer the manure to the third party for land application. In either case, the manure broker and the third party are bound by the same land application…, Record Keeping Requirements for Brokers, Land Applicators, The land applicator accepts or purchases animal manure from agricultural facilities; however, the land applicator does not transfer the manure to a third party for land application. The land applicator utilizes the manure on farmland that he/she actually farms without the involvement of a third party. The land applicator can accept or purchase manure from any agricultural facility. Similar to the…, SCDES Land Application Requirements for Poultry Manure
  • Summaries for Agriculture Laws and Regulations
    Summary of Agricultural Laws, SC Pollution Control Act, The SC Pollution Control Act (PCA) is the basis of South Carolina's water pollution control and water quality protection programs. It establishes the Department of Environmental Services (Department) as the state agency responsible for environmental matters. The law empowers the Department to hold hearings, promulgate regulations, require permits, conduct monitoring, and take enforcement actions…, SC Environmental Protection Fund Act, The SC Environmental Protection Fund Act authorizes the Department to collect application and annual operating fees for any facility permitted under the SC Pollution Control Act. This law requires that fees for any program be identified in a regulation before they can assessed. Regulation 61-30 addresses fees for most environmental programs including the agricultural program. All fees collected…, Summary of Agricultural Regulations, Regulation 61-43: Standards for the Permitting of Agricultural Animal Facilities, The regulations were initially adopted on June 26, 1998. These regulations give permitting procedures and criteria for animal growing operations. They were updated in 2002 to include new requirements for large swine facilities over 1,000,000 pounds, permitting requirements for manure broker operations, an integrator registration program, and other miscellaneous corrections and clarifications.…, SC Regulation 61-82, Proper Closeout of Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Regulation 61-43 requires any facility that has been closed for five or more years to properly close out the facility in accordance with Regulation 61-82. This regulation requires that a closeout report be prepared and submitted to the Department for review and approval when a facility has closed. The regulation does not prescribe specific methods for closures but it does contain some information…, SC Regulation 61-30, Environmental Protection Fees, This regulation gives the specific fee amounts for both application and annual operating fees for agricultural facilities as well as other types of facilities. The regulation addresses assessment of penalties for late payment of fees and also authorizes the Department to deny any environmental permit to a permit applicant if any fees are not paid. The regulation also allows the Department to…
  • What Do I Do If My Well Goes Dry?
    Map of South Carolina showing county-level drought conditions, color‑coded from light orange to dark red. Most counties are in severe drought, with some in moderate drought. A status chart on the right lists drought categories with counts: 0 normal, 0 incipient, 10 moderate, 36 severe, and 0 extreme. Text below provides links to the latest drought committee meeting and additional drought…, licensed well driller, to evaluate your well and discuss potential solutions. What Are My Options? Depending on the condition and depth of your existing well, a licensed well driller may recommend one of several options:, Lower the pump, . If there is still enough water deeper in your well, the pump may be lowered to access it., Deepen your existing well, . If there is little or no water in a drilled rock well, it may be possible to deepen the existing well., Drill a new well., If deepening the existing well isn't physically possible or cost-effective, a well driller may recommend drilling a new, deeper well on your property., Consider a community well, . If an entire neighborhood or community is experiencing dry wells, residents may consider having a new community public well-constructed. Contact your local SCDES office for permitting information., Connect to a public water system, . If public water service is available in your area, connecting your home to the system may be an option. Know the Rules for New Wells All new individual residential wells in South Carolina must be, permitted by SCDES, under Regulation 61-44 and constructed according to the state's, Well Standards, Regulation 61-71, . Well drillers must also be licensed by the, S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation., Before making changes to your well or having a new well drilled, be sure to work with the appropriate licensed professionals and follow state requirements. Stay Informed During the Drought Drought conditions can change, so staying informed is important. The latest drought conditions in South Carolina are available through the, S.C. Department of Natural Resources Office of Climatology, at scdrought.com . Some public water systems have also implemented mandatory or voluntary water restrictions. Contact your water supplier for the latest information about restrictions in your area. SCDES will continue to provide updates on additional drought-related information and resources. Need Help?, For questions about residential wells, contact SCDES:, Toll Free, : 1-888-761-5989 , Toll Free Fax, : 1-888-761-6681 , Greg Withycombe, : 803-898-3232 A dry well can be stressful, especially during an extended drought. If your well stops producing water, don't wait to seek assistance. A licensed well driller can help determine what options may be available for your home and property.
  • Potentiometric Mapping
  • 2026 Waste Tires Stakeholder Group
  • Drinking Water Protection Program Overview
    Access to safe drinking water is essential to human health. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) administers and enforces drinking water quality standards and regulations - working with public water systems to keep our drinking water safe. South Carolina's water systems have a very high overall compliance with all chemical and biological drinking water standards and…, In the News, Lead exposure and drinking water quality has been an important topic in the news recently. For more information about protecting drinking water in South Carolina from lead, visit our Lead and Drinking Water page.
  • Stormwater Pollution
    What is Stormwater?, When it rains it drains logo Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal…, EPA's CU After the Storm Brochure, . Learn more about stormwater pollution via the following links:, Preventing Stormwater Pollution, Waters of the State, Educational Resources, Low Impact Development, Stormwater (NPDES) Permits
  • Preventing Stormwater Pollution
    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…, 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."
  • Stormwater: Low Impact Development
    Low Impact Development, (LID) refers to a set of stormwater management approaches that are implemented to reduce runoff and pollutant loadings as close to their source(s) as possible. Through these approaches, permanent water quality can be micromanaged at various locations around the site in lieu of larger BMPs near the outfall of the drainage area. LID is designed to mimic, as close as possible, the naturally…, Low Impact Development, is to both reduce the volume of runoff and to divert stormwater flows away from a common collection point. There are various practices that can be used in conjunction with one another to accomplish this goal. Some examples of these practices include open space preservation, infiltration basins/trenches, rain gardens, rain barrels/cisterns, eliminating curves/gutters, bioretention, vegetated…, Bioretention, Infiltration areas designed to mimic natural, predevelopment hydrology and address water quality., Bioswales, Drainage swales equipped with native vegetation to slow down conveyance, improving infiltration., Open/Green Spaces, Green spaces provide wildlife, recreational, hydrologic, aesthetic and educational benefits. The majority of, Low Impact Development, practices can be assigned to one of six categories: Conservation Design, Infiltration, Runoff Storage, Runoff Conveyance, Filtration, and Low Impact Landscaping. For more information please visit the EPA's LID website via the link below., EPA Information on LID, Common LID Practices, Rain Barrels and Cisterns - Runoff Storage Practices., Runoff off from impervious surfaces such as roofs and parking lots can be diverted into small storage tanks to be later gradually infiltrated, evaporated, used in irrigation systems or in other rainwater reuse systems. Collecting runoff in this manner may help reduce peak flow discharges and may reduce the amount of runoff volume released into downstream areas that may be prone to flooding. These…, Cluster Development - Conservation Designs., The premises behind cluster development is to minimize the amount of impervious area by slightly reducing the proposed land disturbance, and to preserve open space that could then be used for recreation, visual aesthetics, wildlife habitats, or as an area to place additional LID practices. Residential developers have been able to provide residents with recreational areas or undisturbed natural…, Permeable Pavement - Infiltration Practices., Asphalt, concrete, and other traditional pavement materials can be engineered to allow for runoff to infiltrate through the pavement into the underlying soils. Not only will permeable pavement help reduce the volume of runoff discharged offsite but may also help recharge groundwater, maintain stream temperatures, or even provide additional aesthetic benefits., Grass Swales - Runoff Conveyance Practices., Typically installed as an alternative to curb-and-gutter systems, these permeable, vegetated swales are used to route runoff from large impervious surfaces through the site in a manner that either slows the runoff's velocity, lengthen the runoff time of concentration or delays the peak flow. Certain vegetation can be added to theses swales that will enhance the performance of these swales…, Bioretention Area - Filtration Practices., These areas, often described as rain gardens, are designed to treat runoff by filtering through grass buffers, sand beds, and organic layers of planting soil and vegetation in order to capture pollutants before releasing the runoff from the site. Typically these areas consist of a ponding area, landscaped with native plants and grasses, that collect runoff allowing it to filter through the soil…, Xeriscaping - Low Impact Landscaping., This is a style of landscaping in which plants, native to the area, can be used within other LID practices such as Bioretention and swales, along with proper soil conditions, to take full advantage of rainfall. The proper utilization and placement of indigenous flora can reduce runoff volumes, increase visual aesthetics, and could even reduce maintenance requirements.
  • Educational Resources
    Despite all the regulatory requirements, general permit coverage reviews/approvals, site-specific SWPPPs and mandated site inspections; contaminated stormwater runoff still reaches and pollutes a high percentage of waterways located within South Carolina. The majority of this results from everyday activities in and around urban communities or from the improper/lack of maintenance of approved…, Educational Resources, have been provided below to help educate and inform residents, developers, and designers of the sources of contaminated stormwater originating beyond construction and industrial activities, how they impact downstream locations, and how they can be prevented., Green Initiatives, cover many innovative ideas promoting the environment including many stormwater BMPs that prevent the discharge of stormwater from residential yards and surrounding communities. These devices can generally be implemented post-construction and are usually current landowners or community associations., Educational Resources, also provides many classroom activities that promote the importance of proper stormwater management. These activities range from in-class worksheets to guest presentations conducted by a current S.C. DHEC employee., "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.", Public Outreach, Managing Stormwater In Your Community  A guide for building an effective post-construction program. Developed by the Center for Watershed Protection.  Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management  Learn what you can do on your property and in your community to improve the health of your watershed. Developed by the Philadelphia Water Department.   After The Storm  A publication that provides a broad…, Green Initiatives, Raingarden Handbook  An informative rain garden handbook that covers the basic principles and benefits of these "green" practices. Developed by Washington State University.   Grey To Green  An informative document developed by the City of Portland that addresses various stormwater practices that involve the implementation of green infrastructure within urbanized areas.  Raingardern Brochure  A…, In The Classroom, Stormwater Crossword  A crossword puzzle promoting common stormwater and stormwater management terms.  Stormwater Activity Book  An activity booklet developed by Utah State University directed to elementary students through stormwater word searches and other challenging puzzles.  Water Cycle Worksheet  A worksheet that challenges students on their knowledge of the natural water cycle.  Stormwater…