Partnerships (ORW)
Partnerships, The Office of Rural Water partners with many statewide organizations and agencies along with other internal SCDES divisions to provide assistance to small and underserved communities. Below are some of the partnerships. Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) Financial and technical assistance (COMMUNITY/INDIVIDUALS) South Carolina Rural Water Association (SCRWA) Financial and…, Contact, For more information, please email OfficeofRuralWater@des.sc.gov .Rural Water Technical Assistance (ORW)
SCDES has licensed operators assisting with technical issues related to private wells, small water systems, and community wastewater systems. Private wells, like septic systems, are the homeowner's responsibility. Septic tank information can be found here . SCDES Emergency Well Disinfection: Video SCDES Residential Wells: 1-888-761-5989 On-site Wastewater Treatment System Inspection and…, Contact, For more information, please email OfficeofRuralWater@des.sc.gov .PFAS Drinking Water Sampling Results
From 2020 to 2023, DHEC sampled for PFAS compounds in drinking water at all Community Water Systems in the state. A Community Water System is a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. This may include, but is not limited to, subdivisions, municipalities, mobile home parks, and apartments. We…, Community Drinking Water Systems Using Surface Water, Sampling and analyses for community water systems where drinking water is supplied by surface waters have been completed by BOW staff. The results are presented as follows: Surface Water Treatment Plant Data, Community Drinking Water Systems Using Groundwater, Sampling and analyses for community drinking water systems where water is supplied by groundwater have been completed by BOW staff. The results are presented as follows: Groundwater Well Data, PFAS - Shaw Air Force Base, Please note that data for community water systems impacted by Shaw Air Force Base can be found here. This data is not included as part of the PFAS Drinking Water Strategy and therefore is not included in the Groundwater Well Data. , Some Observations:, Surface Water Plants (56 plants) Analyte # Over MCL Max concentration (ng/L) PFOA 13 12 PFOS 24 16 PFNA 0 Non Detect PFHxS 0 5 HFPO-DA 0 5 Hazard Index 0 0.5 Groundwater Wells (352 systems with 870 wells) Analyte # Over MCL Max concentration (ng/L) PFOA 35 220 PFOS 29 33 PFNA 0 5.4 PFHxS 4 380 HFPO-DA 0 2.8 Hazard Index 3 42, *Page last updated 4/17/2024PFAS - Media Briefings
Media Briefings, On Feb. 27, 2023, DHEC's environmental experts began holding briefings every few weeks for the state's press corps. The purpose of these briefings is to share the latest information about PFAS, starting with EPA's proposed drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds. The briefings will cover DHEC Environmental Affairs' actions to help public water systems, private well owners and our state…, PFAS Media Briefing #1 - February 27, 2023, PFAS Media Briefing #2 - March 16, 2023 , PFAS Media Briefing #3 - April 19, 2023 , PFAS Media Briefing #4 - February 9, 2024 , PFAS Media Briefing #5 - April 17, 2024 , Information sheets, February 27, 2023 March 16, 2023 April 19, 2023 February 9, 2024 April 17, 2024Septic Tanks - Licensing for OSWW System Professionals
If you install, clean, or repair septic systems or if you haul and dispose of sewage from septic systems and portable toilets, you must be licensed by SCDES and renew your license each year., Online Application Form, To apply for a License to Construct or Clean Onsite Wastewater Systems and Self-Contained Toilets, you will need to submit an online application through ePermitting. Before an application can be submitted, you will first need to contact your local SCDES office to make arrangements for testing., Exams, The first time you apply for a license to work with septic systems and/or sewage disposal, you must pass an exam that tests your understanding of Regulation 61-56 . To pass, you must score 80% or better. Exams should be scheduled with your local SCDES office. Click the button below for a list of local SCDES offices. Click Here If you do not pass this test, you can retake it in 30 days. If you…, License Fees, The licensure and annual renewal fees for onsite wastewater system installers and pumpers/haulers are listed below: Installer: Tier 1 - $100 Tier 2 - $100 Tier 3 - $200 Pumper/Hauler: $100 Dual License to Construct and Clean: Tier 1 Installer/Pumper/Hauler: $150 Tier 2 Installer/Pumper/Hauler: $150 Tier 3 Installer/Pumper/Hauler: $250 You must pay these fees each year in order to renew your…, To learn more about our septic system licensures, please visit the links below:, Tiered Installer Licensure, Pumper/Hauler LicensurePollution Monitoring Services and Advisories
Wastewater (Sewer) System Overflows Beach Monitoring Ground-level Ozone Monitoring Forecast Monitoring Surrounding Savannah River Nuclear Site Chem-Nuclear Site Barnwell County, South Carolina Particulate Matter Monitoring Shellfish Bed Monitoring Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Historic Superphosphate Fertilizer Industry in S.C. Related Topics Fish Consumption Advisories Underground Storage Tank…Chem-Nuclear Site Barnwell County, South Carolina
Introduction, The Chem-Nuclear Site is a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility located in Barnwell County near the town of Snelling. The facility occupies about 235 acres deeded to the state of South Carolina by Chem-Nuclear Systems (CNS). Disposal of waste began at the facility in 1971 and Chem-Nuclear Systems (CNS), currently owned by Energy Solutions, has been the sole operator since that time. Chem…, Publications and Data, Annual Update Newsletter 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Groundwater Plume Map 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Trend Analysis 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Five Year Trend Graph 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 South Carolina Radioactive Materials License #097 Radioactive Materials License issued to Chem-Nuclear Systems, LLC as operator of the Barnwell Waste Management Facility., Related Topics, Atlantic Compact Commission, Contact Information, For more information or if you have questions about this facility, please contact:, Kimberley Noonan, (803) 898-0493 kimberley.noonan@des.sc.gov , Travis Fuss , (803) 642-1637 Travis.Fuss@des.sc.govHistoric Superphosphate Fertilizer Industry in S.C.
History, Phosphate fertilizers were in use as early as the late 1700's in South Carolina, as deposits of mineable phosphate ore were discovered in many areas in the Low Country. During the mid-1800's, it was discovered that mixing the raw phosphate ore with sulfuric acid produced a "super-phosphate" fertilizer that was water soluble for better absorption by crops. Also, it could be produced in a fine, dry…, Research, In the mid-1990's, DHEC Site Assessment staff began working with USEPA to identify all super-phosphate sites within SC. The initial focus was on the Charleston neck area, which was home to many of the largest super-phosphate producers. However, plants were discovered across the state. A key historical resource is the existence of Sanborn insurance maps. These maps were originally produced for the…, Assessment, DHEC has identified 38 former super phosphate sites to date. Thirty of these sites included sulfuric acid production on-site. Five sites purchased their sulfuric acid and did not make their own. The remaining three sites have no evidence of acid production or use. All of these former sites have received at least initial screening assessments. Thirteen sites have received cleanups under EPA…Particulate Matter Monitoring
SCDES has developed an extensive ambient (outdoor) air quality monitoring network for PM 2.5, PM 10, and other pollutants to determine: highest concentrations of pollutants, representative concentrations in areas of high population density, impact on air quality of significant sources or source categories, general background concentrations, extent of regional pollutant transport, and welfare-…, PM Ambient Air Monitoring Network, The monitors' locations were selected by SCDES in accordance with EPA monitor-siting requirements found in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 40, Part 58, Appendices D and E ., PM 2.5 Monitoring Network Locations, In 2011, there were 14 PM 2.5 monitors strategically located in 10 counties throughout the state., PM 10 Monitoring Network Locations, In 2011, there were 9 PM 10 monitors strategically located throughout the state. , How PM Monitoring is Performed, PM 2.5 Monitoring, The main purpose of PM monitoring is to provide air quality data to local, state and national regulatory programs for determining whether an area has attained the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (standards). To ensure national consistency in air pollution monitoring, a Federal Reference Method (FRM) sampler is used for making comparisons to the standards. The current FRM for measuring PM 2…, PM 10 Monitoring, The PM 10 standards are expressed as a weight of PM 10 particles per volume of air (micrograms per cubic meter). PM 10 mass is collected using a high volume sampler. A high volume PM 10 sampler draws a known volume of ambient air at a constant flow rate through a size selective inlet and a filter. Particles in the PM 10 size range are then collected on the filter during the specified 24-hour…, Minimum Monitoring Requirements, PM 2.5 Minimum Monitoring Requirements, EPA determines the minimum number of PM 2.5 monitors that can adequately represent an area based on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), most recently measured PM 2.5 concentrations, and its population. The MSA may include heavily populated counties and adjacent counties that are closely related economically. The map below shows the minimum monitoring requirements for the MSAs in our state as…, PM 10 Minimum Monitoring Requirements, EPA determines the minimum number of PM 10 monitors that are required for an area is based on the MSA, most recently measured PM 10 concentrations, and the area's population. The MSA may include heavily populated counties and adjacent counties that are closely related economically. As the table below indicates, an MSA with a population of at least 250,000 and High PM 10 concentrations is required…, MSA Population Level of PM 10 Concentration, Category 1 High 2 Medium 3 Low 4,5 > 1,000,000 6 - 10 4 - 8 2 - 4 500,000 - 1,000,000 4 - 8 2 - 4 1 - 2 250,000 - 500,000 3 - 4 1 - 2 0 - 1 100,000 - 250,000 1 - 2 0 - 1 0, 1, Selection of urban areas and actual numbers of stations per area will be jointly determined by EPA and the State agency., 2, High concentration areas are those for which ambient PM 10 data show ambient concentrations exceeding the PM 10 standard by 20 percent or more., 3, Medium concentration areas are those for which ambient PM 10 data show ambient concentrations exceeding 80 percent of the PM 10 standard., 4, Low concentration areas are those for which ambient PM 10 data show ambient concentrations less than 80 percent of the PM 10 standard., 5, These minimum monitoring requirements apply in the absence of a design value. The map below indicates that the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC MSA requires 2-4 monitors. The Greenville-Maudlin-Easley, Columbia, Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville and Richmond County, GA-SC MSAs require 1-2 monitors. The Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway MSAs require 0-1 monitors. The…Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Monitoring
DHEC has developed an ambient (outdoor) air quality monitoring network for sulfur dioxide and other pollutants to: measure maximum expected concentrations measure concentrations in areas where people live, work and play, provide background information in rural areas, help determine the impacts of sulfur dioxide emissions from specific sources, and monitor interstate and intrastate transport of…