Septic Tank Safety Warnings
A person kneels on grass and looks into an open septic tank beside a “Danger: Septic Tank Stay Away” sign. Disclaimer: AI‑generated image., Please follow these safety rules at all times.,Site Inspections
General Process, Apply for a septic system permit through SCDES' ePermitting System . An SCDES inspector will visit your property to determine whether the land is suitable for a septic system by performing a site evaluation by identifying:, Soil type, - only certain types work well for septic systems, Landscape, - to see whether a septic system can function and how the drainfield will be positioned, Bedrooms, - number of bedrooms in a home are used to calculate septic system size requirements., Adequate setbacks, -The location of private wells on or near the site, property lines, surface waters, buildings, drainage ditches, etc. The SCDES inspector will measure distances and ensure there is enough room for the septic system while maintaining the required setbacks. For a list of setbacks, see section 200 of Regulation 61-56 . There must also be adequate area for a repair area (sized to half of the square…, Soil: Most Important Factor, Person comparing a soil sample to a color chart in a grassy outdoor area. The SCDES inspector will take a minimum of two soil samples (borings) in the area where the septic system will most likely be located. We classify the soil by its characteristics: Color shows how high the water table gets at the wettest time of year (this is visible regardless of the month). We match your soil to a soil…, Drainfield Size, Rows of black drainage chambers installed in a dug-out field with trucks and equipment nearby. Another problem we sometimes see is that there simply is not enough suitable land to build an adequately sized septic drainfield on a particular lot. We use this standard formula to calculate the size of the drainfield needed: The average South Carolinian generates about 60 gallons of wastewater daily (…, Never Underestimate Number of Occupants, When applying for a permit to construct a septic tank, never underestimate or misrepresent the number of bedrooms or intended occupants. If you do, you are setting your septic system up for failure and yourself up for major expenses in the future.Septic Tanks - Preventative Routine Maintenance
An illustrated worker holding a large wrench stands beside a house with a pipe system shown below., Septic Tank Maintenance Tips, Follow these tips to keep your septic tank system running smoothly and save yourself money on repairs.Before You Buy Land
Know before you buy!, A “Land for Sale” sign stands in a grassy field with hills and trees in the background., Looking to purchase land for your new home? Call your local government to determine water and sewer availability., If there is no public sewer, you're going to need a, septic system, If there is no public water, you're going to need a, residential well, Make Sure There is Space to Meet Required Separation Distances, Depending on soil characteristics and house size, the amount of space needed for a septic system varies. For example, sandy soils require less area for your septic system than clay soils. The same is true for a 3 bedroom home versus a 6 bedroom home-the septic system for the 6 bedroom home is going to require more space than that of the 3 bedroom home. Consider the following separation distances…, Potential Problem Signs, As you search for property, pay particular attention to any feature that could affect the installation or operation of a septic system. Are any parts of the land rocky? Bedrock near the ground surface could make the land unsuitable for a septic system. Are there gullies, ravines, excessively steep slopes or other severe topographical conditions? Is the land prone to flooding? Are there rivers or…, What happens if a conventional or alternative standard system can't be issued?, If the property does not meet conventional or alternative standards for a septic system as outlined within Regulation 61-56, you will be provided options to pursue. One of these options is to work with a professional engineer and soil scientist to evaluate the property to determine if the property can support a specialized/engineered system (referred to as the 610 standard). These systems can…,Septic Tanks
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 - 07/2026, 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, FULL, FULL, Columbia, SC Civil Air Patrol, 3901 CAP Wing Drive, West Columbia, SC 29710 October 20-23, 2026 Tester Certification, FULL, FULL, Charleston, SC (PAI Class) N. Charleston Convention Center, 5000 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston, SC 29418 November 3-6, 2026 Tester Certification OPEN Tester Certification Registration - Charleston Nov 2026 Columbia, SC Civil Air Patrol, 3901 CAP Wing Drive, West Columbia, SC 29710 December 8-11, 2026 Tester Certification OPEN Tester Certification Registration - Columbia Dec 2026, 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 Pageland, SC Pageland Community Center, 1113 W McGregor St, Pageland, SC 29728 October 1, 2026 Administration Class OPEN Admin Control Program…, 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.govB2 Breathe Better Program
Breathe Better (B2) is an anti-idling-clean air campaign/program focused on protecting public health on school campuses and at local businesses in South Carolina. Idling means that a vehicle's engine is turned on and creating pollution, but the vehicle is not in motion. An idling vehicle wastes gas and produces harmful emissions that negatively affect air quality. Mobile sources such as…, Learn more about the B2 Breathe Better ProgramTelfair Community
UST Publications
Newsletters, Biannual publication of compliance, technical, and financial information to supply outreach to tank owners, contractors, and the general public. Summer 2026 (pdf) Fall 2024 (pdf) Fall 2022 (pdf) Winter 2018 (pdf) Summer 2016 (pdf) Spring 2015 (pdf) Summer 2014 (pdf) Summer 2013 (pdf) Summer 2012 (pdf) , UST Public Record of Compliance and Releases, Section 1526 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires states receiving federal funds under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to maintain, update at least annually, and make available to the public a record of underground storage tanks regulated under this subtitle. The public record shall include (to the maximum extent practicable, for each year) the number, sources, and causes of…, SUPERB Quarterly Financial Report, The SUPERB Act establishes the SUPERB Account to ensure the availability of funds for the rehabilitation of petroleum and petroleum product releases from underground storage tanks and for administration of the underground storage tank program. The SUPERB Act also establishes the Financial Responsibility Fund which must be used for compensating third parties for actual costs for bodily injury and…, SUPERB Advisory Committee Report, 2024 (pdf) 2023 (pdf) 2022 (pdf) 2021 (pdf) 2020 (pdf) 2019 (pdf) 2018 (pdf) 2017 (pdf) 2016 (pdf) 2015 (pdf) 2014 (pdf) 2013 (pdf) 2012 (pdf) 2011 (pdf) 2010 (pdf) 2009 (pdf) 2008 (pdf) 2007 (pdf) 2006 pdf) , Proposed Federal UST Regulations, The revised federal UST Regulations 40 CFR 280 and 40 CFR 281 went into effect October 13, 2015.Beachfront Notification Acknowledgments