Homeowner Resources
What is a Septic System?, A septic system is made up of a tank and a drain field. It is designed to treat and dispose of domestic wastewater through a combination of natural processes. When properly installed and maintained, a septic system can render wastewater ecologically safe., Why are Septic Systems Necessary?, Safe treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater protects public health and the environment while preventing drinking water pollution and the spread of disease. Connection to a wastewater treatment facility is not always available (i.e. rural areas, small communities)., How Does a Septic System Work?, Household wastewater is flushed. Wastewater flows into the septic tank. Heavy and light solids are broken down by bacteria that reside in the septic tank and form the scum and sludge layer. Wastewater flows out of the tank into the drain field (the scum and sludge layers remain in the tank). In the drain field, wastewater is absorbed by the soil and is broken down by natural processes. Septic…, The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) has developed resources for homeowners to learn more on the basics of septic systems and how to manage septic systems effectively. , NOWRA, How to Apply for a Septic System Permit?, For information on how to apply for a septic system permit, please visit our, Permits, Licenses, and Reports, page., South Carolina's Challenge, Some septic systems fail to work properly, usually because of poor maintenance. Don't let yours be one of them — learn how your septic system works and how to care for it., How a Septic Tank System Works, Parts of a Septic Tank System The most common type of septic system has four main parts: drainfield under construction An exit pipe that carries wastewater from the home to the septic tank and vents noxious gases up and out of the house A buried, watertight septic tank made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene, usually installed about 6 feet from a home The drain field, which consists of one…Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Programs
Waste Tire Haulers
REMINDER: WASTE TIRE HAULER REGISTRATION RENEWALS ARE DUE BEFORE MARCH 1ST., A waste tire hauler is a person who transports more than fifteen (15) waste tires at any one time. Waste tire haulers in SC must obtain a registration prior to hauling. Waste tire means a whole tire that is no longer suitable for its originally intended purpose because of wear, damage, or defect.Be Battery Smart
Be Battery Smart, , Be Battery Smart, Often overlooked, batteries can be a hidden household hazard. If improperly installed, charged, stored, used, damaged, or disposed of, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode, putting your family and others at risk. If swallowed, button or coin batteries can cause injuries and death. Take advantage of battery recycling opportunities – particularly for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries…, Tips to Take Charge!, Here are four essentials that you should know to keep yourself, your family and pets, and your home safe, as well as protect other people, property, and the environment.WIIN Grant - Child Care Remediation Resources
Fish Consumption Advisories
SCDES to Begin Seasonal Water Quality Monitoring at S.C. Beaches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — To help keep South Carolina beaches a favorite destination during the summer months, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is beginning its seasonal monitoring of water quality along the coast. Every state with ocean-facing beaches performs beach water monitoring to help detect instances of elevated bacteria levels that have…, Enterococci, bacteria. If elevated levels of the bacteria are detected, the agency issues public notices at that beach location and on SCDES’s Beach Monitoring webpage and the S.C. Beach Access Guide web app because high levels of, Enterococci, bacteria could negatively impact some people’s health. Beach monitor collects a water sample “If levels of Enterococci bacteria exceed the state standard, we quickly issue a short-term swimming advisory for that area of the beach to help notify beachgoers,”, said Umi Hermann, Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator for SCDES’s Aquatic Science Division, . “A swimming advisory does not mean the beach is closed — it simply means that portion of ocean water should be avoided until bacteria levels return to normal. Most short-term swimming advisories are lifted within a day.” SCDES tests ocean water for, Enterococci, bacteria, which are naturally found in warm-blooded animals, including humans. However, high levels of Enterococci in water indicate the potential risk for other organisms that may cause disease in humans, such as gastrointestinal illness or skin infections. The current advisory status for all 122 sampling sites is available on the online S.C. Beach Access Guide . SCDES issues two types of…, Short-term swimming advisories, typically last one to two days and are issued when two consecutive water samples exceed the state water quality standard of 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters (104 CFU/100mL). Often, short-term swim advisories due to elevated bacteria levels are issued after heavy rains when rainwater washes pollutants into the ocean. , Long-term swimming advisories, are issued year-round for areas that have an increased possibility of high bacteria levels, typically where stormwater from pipes or small creeks flows across the beach and into the ocean. Signs posted at these locations provide information about the potential of high bacteria levels. Locations with long-term advisories are reevaluated at the beginning of each year. “While we may not always…, Hermann said., “It’s important to remember that ocean water is a natural environment and not chemically treated like a swimming pool, so there is always some level of risk associated with swimming in natural bodies of water.” SCDES partners with the City of Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Edisto, and other organizations on the Check My Beach program, which is designed to…State and Local Officials Provide Update on Lake Greenwood Fish Kill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2026 GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. — State and local authorities are working together to investigate a recent fish kill in an area of Lake Greenwood in Greenwood County. Greenwood County officials, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) were notified of several dead fish in the Cross Hill area of Lake…Contact SCDES Media Relations
SCDES Media Relations, How to Contact Us, All media requests should be made to Media Relations by email so we can respond to reporters’ questions as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Please do not contact staff directly. media@des.sc.gov 803-622-1208 Main POC Laura Renwick, Public Information Officer , How We Can Help You, SCDES Media Relations provides information to members of the press about the agency’s services, roles, and goals with protecting South Carolina’s environment. Media Relations works closely with SCDES’s environmental experts to provide clear, accurate and timely responses to media requests. Information Requests To request information, email media@des.sc.gov . We strive to meet deadlines as…State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program
The State Revolving Fund (SRF) program provides low-interest rate loans for building or repairing wastewater and drinking water plants, collection and distribution systems, and stormwater quality improvement projects. The program is run by the SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA), Office of Local Government (OLG)., Who Can Apply?, Municipalities, counties, and special purpose districts can apply for an SRF loan., What Funding is Available?, The money available for SRF loans depends on repayments from current loans and the yearly capitalization grant that comes from the EPA. Information on current SC SRF interest rates and loan policies can be found on the , SC Rural Infrastructure Authority website, . If a project includes a qualified water or energy reduction component, low-impact development, or other environmentally innovative "green" practices, an incentive loan rate may apply. The following drinking water and clean water projects are funded by the SRF Program:, Drinking Water Projects, Upgrade of a Surface Water Treatment Plant Looping of Distribution Lines Interconnecting Systems Addition of New Wells Adding Treatment or Storage Components Relocation of Waterlines due to Road Widening Projects Lead Service Line Replacements Projects to Address Emerging Contaminants, Clean Water Projects, Upgrade and Expansion of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewer Line Rehab and Replacement New Pump Stations and Force Mains Collection Systems for Areas on Septic Tanks New Interceptor Non-point Source Projects Relocation of Wastewater Lines due to Road Widening Projects Projects to Address Emerging Contaminants, Contact us, to find out if your project qualifies for SRF funding., Financing Alternatives Comparison Tool (FACT), FACT is an EPA financial analysis tool, that compares the costs of different financing options for water infrastructure projects. FACT can help borrowers compare their financing options.