PFAS - Bureau of Water
Long-term Monitoring (LTM) project surface water PFAS data from February 2024 – September 2024 are available on the Ambient Surface Water PFAS Monitoring, online tool, . The online tool also includes all data collected as part of the Ambient Surface Water (ASW) PFAS project from July 2022 – October 2023. Please refer to the PFAS Analytes link at the top of the webpage for a comparison list of analytes measured in the ASW and LTM projects. Project descriptions, project plans, and the, Ambient Surface Water Final Report, may be accessed through the Info and Document Links on the top right of the webpage., Recommendations for Reducing Potential Exposure to PFAS from Eating Fish (October 2023), As part of SCDES's strategy of determining the fate and transport of PFAS chemicals in South Carolina, samples of several aquatic species, including freshwater fish, oysters and blue crabs, were collected. This sampling was only a snapshot in time and this data, along with the ambient water data, public drinking water well data and private drinking water well initiatives, will help to inform our…, What BOW is doing to address PFAS in waters of the State, SCDES continues to implement the three strategies for assessing PFAS in the state's waters. Contact information for each strategy is provided below. Please visit the associated pages for additional information. Community Drinking Water Strategy Richard Welch, PE Richard.Welch@des.sc.gov 803-898-3546 Ambient Surface Water Strategy Matthew Baumann, PhD Matthew.Baumann@des.sc.gov 803-898-4249…, UCMR5 – Drinking Water, Consistent with EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, UCMR 5 will provide new data that EPA has determined are critically needed to improve their understanding of the frequency and level at which 29 PFAS (and lithium) are found in the nation’s drinking water systems. Once per calendar quarter for four consecutive quarters, BOW will sample and analyze all public water systems that serve more than 10,000…, What EPA is Doing About Drinking Water, EPA is addressing PFAS nationally from different perspectives (e.g., drinking water, ambient surface water, wastewater, solid waste management, remedial cleanup/corrective action, and product manufacturing information) as discussed here and in the links presented below. In February 2019, EPA published their PFAS Action Plan ; it was updated in February 2020. On April 27, 2021, EPA…, Additional Resources, Environmental Protection Agency: Basic Information about PFAS Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Food and Drug Administration Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council Environmental Council of the States Environmental Protection Agency: Drinking Water PFOA and PFAS Health AdvisoryDesign Aids and Technical Documents
SC BMP Handbook, A detailed description of most Best Management Practices and how to maintain them., No Exposure Guide, EPA's Guidance Manual for Conditional Exclusion from Stormwater Permitting Based On "No Exposure" of Industrial Activities. Below are tables providing downloadable pdfs of important, Design Aid and Technical Documents, that may be helpful when applying for coverage under one of SC's NPDES Stormwater Permit Programs. Each section, separated by the type of activity the documents are associated with, contains a table listing each document and its respective description. All current General Permits (GPs) are available for download below, along with many checklist, worksheets and fact sheets that will help you…, Links for the Notice of Intents, Monthly Reports, and Notice of Terminations can be found on the, Applications and Forms, Page., Construction Activities, 2026 Construction General Permit (CGP) 2026 CGP SWPPP Template 2021 Construction General Permit (CGP) NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities SCR100000 (PDF) (Effective 3/1/2021) 2012 CGP SWPPPs Template A SWPPP Template that may be used to create both the Comprehensive and On-site SWPPP as required by the 2012 CGP. 2006 CGP SWPPP Update Template A SWPPP…, Industrial Activities, Industrial General Permit NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity SCR000000 (Effective 1/1/2011) No Exposure Certification Guidance A link to EPA's Guidance Manual for Conditional Exclusion from Stormwater Permitting Based On "No Exposure" of Industrial Activities to Stormwater. Public Comment Response 2010 The responses to public comments received for…, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), MS4 General Permit NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Regulated Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) SCR030000 (Effective 1/1/2014) Regulated Small MS4s A list of Regulated Small MS4s by municipality and the associated Urbanized Areas. (07/2007) MS4 Improvement Guide This guide contains examples of permit conditions and supporting rationale that could be used in "…Per– and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Programs
Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention
The Cross Connection Control/Backflow Prevention program is a state-mandated program designed to protect the public's drinking water from contamination by identifying and eliminating cross connections., Looking to Get Your Backflow Tested/Inspected? Listing of Certified Backflow Testers, The General Inspector provides the service of testing backflow prevention assemblies to the general public. General - Backflow Prevention Equipment Certified Testers - 06/2026, Law, R.44-55-20 (6) and 44-55-40 (6) State Safe Drinking Water Act, Regulation, Cross Connection Control Entire State Primary Drinking Water Regulations - See Section R.61-58.7 (F) Lawn irrigation sprinkler - Policy Letter Vertical Tube Test Procedure No Longer Allowed - Policy Letter, Program, Every public water system must initiate and maintain a viable cross connection control program. This is accomplished by surveying the distribution system for unprotected cross connections. Once identified, these connections can be controlled through the proper use of backflow prevention assemblies. The public water system must maintain accurate records pertaining to the location of existing…, Certification, The Backflow Assembly Tester Certification course is a rigorous four-day* course that meets SCDES standards for certification in backflow assembly prevention testing. Time is spent in the classroom and Wet Lab environments with experienced instructors. This course will educate students on how backflow may occur and how cross-connections should be protected or eliminated using approved assemblies…, *Reciprocation:, SCDES must be the certifying agency for all testers in SC. Currently, there is not a direct reciprocation with any training providers. Current Testers requesting reciprocation after completion of an approved training class will be required to attend and pass a SCDES sponsored one-day event with a written & practical exam. This ensures access to state specific regulations, laws and practices…, Recertification, A certified backflow prevention tester's license will expire every three years. In order to become re-certified, the tester will be required to take a 25-question, written exam and test a double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, and a reduced pressure principle assembly in the wet lab. The tester's differential gauge must be accurate to within 2% of full gauge scale or +/- 0.3 psi…, Upcoming Workshops, To join our waiting list, please fill out the electronic form in the link below. If an opening becomes available, you will be notified by email, and/or phone call. You will receive a link to register for the available class. Cross Connection Control/Backflow Prevention Waiting List, Tester Certification Classes, Location Address Date Class Type Class Availability Registration Form Columbia, SC Civil Air Patrol, 3901 CAP Wing Drive, West Columbia, SC 29710 May 12-15, 2026 Tester Certification, FULL, FULL, Charleston, SC (PAI Class) N. Charleston Convention Center, 5000 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston, SC 29418 June 9-12, 2026 Tester Certification, FULL, FULL, Columbia, SC Civil Air Patrol, 3901 CAP Wing Drive, West Columbia, SC 29710 July 28-31, 2026 Tester Certification, FULL, FULL, Columbia, SC Civil Air Patrol, 3901 CAP Wing Drive, West Columbia, SC 29710 August 11-14, 2026 Tester Certification, FULL, FULL, Seneca, SC (PAI Class) Gignilliat Community Center, 621 N. Townville St, Seneca, SC 29678 September 22-25, 2026 Tester Certification OPEN Tester Certification Registration - Seneca Sept 2026 Columbia, SC Civil Air Patrol, 3901 CAP Wing Drive, West Columbia, SC 29710 October 20-23, 2026 Tester Certification OPEN Tester Certification Registration - Columbia Oct 2026 Charleston, SC (PAI Class) N.…, Other Training Opportunities, Location Address Date Class Type Class Availability Registration Form Newberry, SC Newberry Firehouse Conference Center (3rd Floor), 1227 McKibben St, Newberry, SC 29108 July 8, 2026 Administration Class OPEN Admin Control Program Certification - Newberry, Contact, Steve Fox, Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention: (803) 898-4426 , Steve.Fox@des.sc.gov Maria Johnson, Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention: (803) 898-0027 , Maria.Johnson@des.sc.govState Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines
Beachfront Jurisdictional Area, South Carolina’s beachfront jurisdictional area is made up of three Beachfront critical areas , Beach/Dune System, Beaches, and Coastal Waters, which are defined in South Carolina Code of Laws §48-39-10 . SCDES BCM has authority to review activities within all of these critical areas. Proposed activities within any of the state’s beachfront critical areas should be coordinated with SCDES BCM to…, Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines, S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-280 requires the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Bureau of Coastal Management (SCDES BCM or Department) to establish and periodically review two beachfront jurisdictional lines, the baseline and the setback line. The baseline is the more seaward (towards the ocean) line, while the setback line is the more landward (towards the land) line. The setback…, Please be aware that there may be critical areas landward of the jurisdictional setback line that may also require authorization and coordination with SCDES BCM, . For questions, please reach out to SCDES BCM’s Beachfront Management section at (843) 953-0200 , or visit the Project Manager Finder Application to find contact information for SCDES BCM project managers by geographic area., Jurisdictional Lines Review Process, South Carolina law requires SCDES BCM to establish and review the position of these beachfront jurisdictional lines every 7 to 10 years. The average annual erosion rate for all oceanfront land that is developed or potentially could be developed is also reviewed during this time frame. Using historical and present-day shoreline and beach profile information, SCDES BCM designates a baseline and…Stormwater
Stormwater runoff can have a significant impact on waterways and the surrounding environment. As stormwater flows across the landscape, it can pick up, pollutants, like sediment, debris, and chemicals and transport these to a nearby storm sewer system or directly to a river, lake, or coastal waterways. Polluted stormwater runoff can harm or kill fish and other wildlife. SCDES oversees stormwater permitting in South Carolina. Certain activities and sources of stormwater pollution are regulated under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (…Stormwater - Water Quality Tool
Fish Kills
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 Rad Waste 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)-898-0422