UST Owner/Operator Information
UST Owner/Operator Information When conducting site rehabilitation activities at their site, the tank owner selects a contractor to conduct the work for the release. The contractor must be certified in South Carolina to conduct site rehabilitation work . The tank owner will sign the invoices when a scope of work has been completed. Please ensure that the Information Form is on file with the UST…UST Regulation
SC UST Regulation Revision Effective May 26, 2017, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised their Underground Storage Tank regulations in July 2015. The regulation became effective October 13, 2015. In response to the EPA's regulation revision, the South Carolina Underground Storage Tank Management Division revised its regulation R. 61-92, Part 280., The regulation became effective May 26, 2017, . You may view the revised regulation . Furthermore, there are some changes that are effective immediately and there are other changes that will not be effective until May 26, 2020., The second deadline, , May 26, 2023 is quickly approaching, please check your three year testing documents (overfill prevention, spill bucket, & containment sumps) to ensure the testing is completed on time. , Please view, An Owner/Operator's Implementation Guide for the South Carolina Underground Storage Tank Control Regulations 61-92, Part 280, for specific information about the regulation revision., Regulation Revision Guidance Material, Frequently Asked Questions UST - 2018 Fall Workshop - (PDF) UST - Operator's Implementation Guide - R.61-92 Part 280 - (PDF)New Regulations FAQ
Why were the regulations revised?, South Carolina is required by the Federal Regulation to submit an application for state program approval. As part of the state program approval process, the state is required to revise the SC UST Control Regulations to be at least as stringent as the Federal. If SC failed to update the UST regulations as necessary and failed to obtain state program approval, EPA would have direct oversight over…, Does this impact how much I pay in fees?, No, there is no impact on registration fees., Will I have to apply for a new permit?, No, the regulation revisions do not impact your permit status., If I sell my gas station, is there paperwork that has to be turned in? Who is responsible?, The regulation requires the new owner to notify the Department within 30 days after purchase; however until we receive the appropriate paperwork and can confirm the change in ownership, all correspondence will continue to be provided to the tank owner that is listed in our database., If I want to install tanks for a new gas station, are there any changes to what equipment can be installed?, Yes, the regulation will no longer allow the installation of one type of overfill prevention, the ball float vent valve (flow restrictor). Please refer to Section 280.20(c) of the regulation., If I am a B operator, is there new training that I have to take?, The regulation requires that all B operators that became certified operators in SC prior to May 26, 2017, complete supplemental training no later than May 26, 2020. The supplemental training is free of charge. The link to the training is located on the SC DES website at https://des.sc.gov/ . If you are unable to take the online training, please call 803-898-0589 for assistance. New B operators…, How does the regulation revision impact inspections? Are there new things I have to provide to the inspector?, Please visit our Compliance Inspection page here for more detailed information. There are new requirements for periodic testing/functionality checks for various equipment, as well as periodic walkthrough inspections. The regulation now requires all testing and equipment functionality checks, as well as walkthrough inspections to be documented using a Department form or a Department approved form…, Does the regulation require anything different with financial responsibility?, The Certificate of Financial Responsibility is no longer required to be provided to the inspector; however, it is still required to be submitted with financial responsibility documentation to the Department. If you are using a Letter of Credit as your financial responsibility mechanism, the bank is now required to notify the Department if the Letter of Credit will not be renewed., I've heard that I'm going to be required to have someone do "walkthrough" inspections. What is this? And, who can do them?, Walkthrough inspections are required by Section 280.36 of the UST Control Regulations. The owner can select someone to complete the walkthrough inspections. The individual that completes the walkthrough inspections must be qualified, familiar with operation and maintenance of the equipment. The person completing the walkthrough inspections does not have to be a designated A/B operator; however,…, Spill bucket testing is required every three years; can I do this test myself? Or, do I have to hire someone to do it?, The regulation does not require 3rd party testing companies to conduct this testing. You may do the hydrostatic testing yourself. Forms are available on our website or call 803-898-0589 to request a form., Where can I find out what is required?, The following link ( link to SC UST Regulation Revision Effective May 26, 2017 page ) will take you to a general information website where you can find a brochure which outlines the general requirements and provides specific deadlines for different requirements. Another good source of information is the B operator supplemental training which can be found here ., Where do I find forms?, Forms are located on our website or, you may call 803-898-0589 to request forms, or if you need any additional guidance. Remember, if you or your 3rd party testing company wishes to use their own form(s) to document walkthrough inspection activities, periodic equipment checks or testing, they must get pre-approval from the program to do so., How do I get a copy of the regulation? Is there one on the DHEC website that I can print out?, The regulation can be found here. If you would like to request a paper copy, please feel free to call 803-898-0589 for assistance., With the requirements for documenting testing results and other compliance activities, are there forms available on the website? Or, can I use my own form to document the activities?, The Department has all forms available on our website ;, however, if you wish to use your own form, please feel free to submit the form(s) for approval. At a minimum, the forms should include all of the information that is listed on the related Department form.Capacity Development Strategy for Public Water Systems
In 1996 the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was amended to include a new program called "Capacity Development". Capacity Development is meant to ensure a safe water supply for customers served by public water systems. The SDWA has provisions that require states to develop and implement strategies to make sure that both existing water systems and new water systems get and keep technical,…, Contact, APPENDIX A: State Safe Drinking Water Act APPENDIX B: State Primary Drinking Water Regulations APPENDIX C: Water Supply Permitting Guide (PDF - 604K) APPENDIX D: Water Distribution System Permitting Guide APPENDIX E: Sanitary Survey Evaluation Forms Surface Water Sanitary Survey Checklist (PDF - 38K) Groundwater Sanitary Survey Checklist (PDF - 38K) APPENDIX F: Water System Viability Guidance: A…Complying with Drinking Water Laws
The Drinking Water and Recreational Waters Compliance Section performs sanitary surveys and provides technical assistance to drinking water facilities throughout the State. The Section's goal is to help systems remain in compliance with the State Primary Drinking Water Regulations. This is accomplished by providing regulation information, educating systems on new and upcoming regulations, and…, Laws and Regulations, R.44-55 State Safe Drinking Water Act Regulation 61-58, State Primary Drinking Water Regulations, Sanitary Surveys, A main tool of the Drinking Water Protection Division is the sanitary survey. Sanitary surveys are performed on all public water systems every one to five years depending on system classification . Based on survey results, the system is rated Satisfactory, Needs Improvement, or Unsatisfactory. Surface Water Sanitary Survey Evaluation Form Groundwater Sanitary Survey Manual, Forms, Sample Groundwater DBP Monitoring Plan Surface Water System Monthly Operation Report Desktop Evaluation Short Form for Small and Medium Public Water Systems, Optimum Corrosion Control Treatment (OCCT) Recommendation Controlled Fluoridation Monthly Report Revised Total Coliform Rule - Level 1 Assessment Form Revised Total Coliform Rule - Level 2 Assessment Form If you would like any of these forms…, Guidance Documents, Operator Certification Requirements Boil Water Notices and Advisories Filter Assessment Manual (PDF-1.1MB) Guidelines for High Rate Filtration Study (PDF-22KB) Inspection and Cleaning of Storage Tanks (PDF-8KB), Links, Drinking Water Watch American Water Works Association EPA's Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water South Carolina Rural Water Association Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Contacts, Richard Welch, Jr. P.E , Manager, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance, (803) 898-3546 Wendi Smith , Manager, Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring, (803) 898-2382 Local SCDES Regional Offices 24-HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT: (888) 481-0125Drinking Water Permitting
Application Forms Information on Expedited Review Program for Water Distribution Systems (lines, storage tanks, pump stations) and Wastewater Collection Systems (lines, pump stations) Guidance Documents Water System Viability Guidance (PDF - 179K) Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) Delineation Guidance (PDF - 507K) Dispensing Stations and Vending Machines (PDF - 100K) Top Ten Reasons Permitting…, Contact Information Permitting Contacts, Richard Welch, Jr. , P.E., Manager, (803) 898-3546 , Water Supply & Recreational Waters Section Matt Hauser , Manager, (803) 898-4306 , Construction Permitting Section, Compliance/Inspection Contact, Richard Welch, Jr. , P.E., Manager, (803) 898-3546 , Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance Section Wendi Smith , Program Manager, (803) 898-2382 Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section, Emergency Contact, To report emergency, Please call: SC DES toll-free 24-hour emergency response line at 1-888-481-0125 In Columbia, call 698-0486 .Drinking Water Permitting and Monitoring - Overview
Safe public drinking water in South Carolina is accomplished through a "multiple barrier" approach. Tools utilized in this approach include source water protection, certified water treatment plant operators, routine sanitary surveys, monitoring, treatment design and plan review. A cooperative partnership of the SCDES Drinking Water Program staff, the U.S. EPA and drinking water professionals…, Newsletters, SCDES routinely provides articles for use in the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) and American Water Works Association (AWWA) publication,, The Journal, . The articles submitted to WEASC and AWWA are listed below., Contacts, Richard Welch, Jr. P.E., Manager, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance, (803) 898-3546 Wendi Smith , Program Manager, Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section, (803) 898-2382 Matt Hauser Manager, Construction Permitting, (803) 898-4306Drinking Water & Recreational Water Regulations, Laws
R.61-58 State Primary Drinking Water Regulations R.61-71 South Carolina Well Standards and Regulations R.61-44 SC Individual Residential Well & Irrigation Well Permitting R.61-51 Public Swimming Pools R. 61-50 Natural Swimming Areas R. 44-55 State Safe Drinking Water Act, Contacts, Richard Welch, Jr. P.E., Manager, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance, (803) 898-3546 Wendi Smith , Program Manager, Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section, (803) 898-2382Enforcement and Violations - Drinking Water, Well Drilling
The Drinking Water Enforcement Section functions to carry out enforcement actions involving all aspects of public water system compliance, public swimming pool/spa compliance, and well drilling activities compliance. The functions of this section, combined with the efforts of the Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section and other sections of this Bureau, the Environmental Affairs Regional…, Violations, There are various forms of non-compliance which will result in formal violations that require action on the part of a regulated entity. The following are some general violation categories: Public Water Systems Public Swimming Pools/Spas Well Drilling Activities, Public Water Systems, Permitted Activities - Failure to get a Construction Permit prior to beginning construction on a new water system, or an expansion/modification of an existing water system will result in a violation. Failure to get Operational Approval prior to beginning operation of a new water system, or an expansion/modification of an existing water system will result in a violation. General Operation/…, Well Drilling Activities, Monitoring Well Approval - Failure to acquire Monitoring Well Approval prior to the installation of a monitoring well (a well designed to obtain water samples for water quality analysis or to measure groundwater levels) will result in violation(s). Potable and Irrigation Well Approval - Failure to submit a Notice of Intent and obtain a Permit to Construct prior to the installation of either an…, Contacts, Karen Ramos , (803) 898-4271 - Drinking Water Enforcement Section Manager For Complaints, please contact your Local SCDES Regional Office E-mail to the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline, Links, US EPA Center for Environmental Information and StatisticsFees: Public Water Systems
In order to comply with the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, SCDES is authorized to collect a fee from each public water system based on the number of taps through which the system provides water to its customers., Law, State Safe Drinking Water Act - [Section 44-55-120 (A) and (B)], General Information, The fees collected must be returned to SC DES for the purposes of implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act Regulatory Program. The fees are used to provide for engineering plan review, compliance inspections, and enforcement activities. Additionally, technical assistance, water quality monitoring and laboratory analytical services are also provided for public water systems., Billing Information, Summary of SDWA Fee Services FY2026 Drinking Water Fee Calculation Sheet - For use with community systems and non-transient non-community systems, Penalty Information, All fees remaining unpaid thirty (30) days after billing will be issued a late notice with no penalty due, however, it will contain advisement of penalty for non-payment after sixty (60) days. Fees remaining unpaid after sixty days will be assessed a ten percent (10%) penalty. Fees remaining unpaid at the end of ninety (90) days will be assessed a twenty-five percent (25%) penalty in addition to…, Contact Information, Dmitri Najim , Drinking Water Fees, (803)898-3001