Surface Water Withdrawals
Surface Water Withdrawal Overview, The Surface Water Quantity Permitting Program was established under Title 49 Chapter 4: South Carolina Surface Water Withdrawal, Permitting Use, and Reporting Act in 2011. The implementing regulation R.61-119 establishes a system and rules for permitting and registering the withdrawal and use of surface water from within the state of South Carolina and those surface waters shared with adjacent…, Surface Water Regulation Stakeholder Work Group, In August of 2021, DHEC published the Notice of Drafting for Regulation 61-119 and formed a workgroup of stakeholders to improve the regulation and management of surface water in SC by maximizing resource availability, promoting sustainability, and serving as a regulatory framework to support basin planning. Meeting materials are located on the Stakeholder Work Group Page ., Surface Water Withdrawal Permitting, Registration and Use, Annual Water Use Reports Interbasin Transfer (IBT) Information Laws and Regulations Surface Water Withdrawal Forms Safe Yield Workgroup, Contact, Alex Floyd at (803)-898-1256 Leigh Anne Monroe at (803)-898-2415Water Regulations & Standards
This is a comprehensive compilation of the S.C. Department of Environmental Service's water regulations. Copies of these regulations are provided by SCDES for the convenience of the public. Every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy and completeness; however, it is not the official text. SCDES reserves the right to withdraw or correct this text if deviations from the official text as…, Permits for Construction in Navigable Waters, R.61-9, Water Pollution Control Permits, R.61-43, Standards for the Permitting of Agricultural Animal Facilities, R.61-44, Individual Residential Well & Irrigation Well Permitting, R.61-47 , Shellfish, R.61-50, Natural Public Swimming Areas, R.61-51, Public Swimming Pools, R.61-58, State Primary Drinking Water Regulations, R.61-67, Standards for Wastewater Facility Construction, R.61-68, Water Classifications and Standards, R.61-69, Classified Waters, R.61-71, Well Standards, R.61-82, Proper Closeout of Wastewater Treatment Facilities, R.61-87, Underground Injection Control Regulations, R.61-101, Water Quality Certification, R.61-110, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Pollutants in Water, R.61-113, Groundwater Use and Reporting, R.61-119, Surface Water Withdrawal, Permitting, Use and Reporting, R.72-1 through 72-9, Dams and Reservoirs Safety Act Regulations, R.72-101 through 72-108, Erosion and Sediment Reduction and Stormwater Management, R.72-300 through 72-316 R.72-405 through 72-445, Standards for Stormwater Management and Sediment ReductionResidential Wells
Overview: Private Drinking Water Wells, Drilling, Disinfecting, and Maintaining Your Well, Forms, Need Assistance or Technical Support?, Laws and Regulations, Well Water Quality Testing ServicesWastewater
Overview - Satellite Sewer Systems, Satellite Sewer Permitting, Satellite Sewer Forms, Pretreatment Program, Sludge Program, Land Application of Effluent, Sewage, 208 (Wastewater) Water Quality Management Plans, Wastewater Construction, Related Topics, Septic Tanks, NPDES Discharges (except Stormwater), Recent Wastewater Overflows List, Laws and RegulationsMidlands Rivers Coalition
Midlands Rivers Coalition Header-Graphic, Created in 2016, the Midlands Rivers Coalition brings together outfitters, recreation providers, environmental organizations, state and local government, academia, industry, property owners, and other users of the rivers. The Coalition monitors bacteria levels at eleven sites in the Broad, Lower Saluda, and Congaree Rivers, and shares the results on their webpage so you can see if the water…, BOW_AdvisorySigns, For more information, including a comprehensive list of sampling locations, visit, HowsMySCRiver.orgSource Water Protection
The 1996 amendments to the federal, Safe Drinking Water Act, provide for a greater focus on pollution prevention to protect surface water and groundwater from pollution. The 1996 amendments required DHEC to provide Source Water Assessment Reports (SWAR) to federally defined public-water-supply systems. The U.S. EPA approved South Carolina's Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Plan on November 6, 1999. In May 2003, the DHEC provided an…, Video about Source-Water Protection, This 10-minute video covers concepts such as the water cycle, surface water, groundwater, point-source pollution, nonpoint-source pollution (runoff), and the fundamental elements of source-water protection., Streaming Video, What is a Source-Water Assessment Report?, A SWAR provides basic information to the public-water system and the general public about its drinking-water source(s) and potential threats to it. The Assessments include the following:, Source-Water-Protection Area(s), - The SWARs include a description of the drinking-water source such as a well(s) or surface-water intake(s) and the land area that contributes water to that source (Source Water Protection Area or SWPA). Maps showing the boundaries of the SWPA are included., Potential Contaminant Source Inventory, - This is a listing of the land uses and activities within the SWPA in 2003 that could potentially have been releasing contaminants to the source water. Maps showing the locations of the potential contaminant sources within the SWPA were included., Susceptibility Analysis, - This is an evaluation of the contaminant inventory to determine how likely it is that a potential contaminant source will affect a nearby drinking-water source. Susceptibility is the combination of natural vulnerability of the water source to an impact and the physical and chemical properties of the potential contaminants., What do I do with the Assessments?, The SWAR contains important information that can be used to initiate activities to better manage potential sources of contamination near a well or intake. This information can be used to develop a community-based plan to prevent pollution of the groundwater, lakes, rivers and streams that serve as sources of drinking water to your community. These efforts should include:, Formation of a local team, - A team of volunteers periodically assembled to select and refine protection measures and guide the process in a cohesive, efficient manner. The team's decisions and plans should be continually and clearly documented., Management Measures, - Management of contaminant sources that have been identified and inventoried through a source-water-assessment program. The goal of management strategies is to reduce or eliminate the potential threat to drinking-water supplies. This may be accomplished either through federal, state, or local regulatory controls and/or by using non-regulatory measures such as education centering around an…, Contingency Planning, - The development and implementation of both long and short-term drinking-water-supply-replacement strategies for supplying safe drinking water to the consumer in the event of accidental contamination or physical disruption., What are the Benefits of Source-Water Protection?, A more secure and safe drinking-water supply for the community and for a better quality of life for its future generations. Possible reduction in the costs of treating and distributing drinking water. This cost may be decreased through items such as reduced monitoring initiatives. A general cost savings through contamination prevention measures versus the much higher expense of cleanup once…Land Application Permit Program
Land Application Permit Program, (Also Known As the No Discharge Permit Program), Land application of effluent from wastewater treatment facilities began in South Carolina in the early 1970s. Over the years the program evolved to include the permitting of sludge and, septage, land application. At first, a wastewater construction permit was the only permit required for a land application system. In 1985, SC Regulation 61-68, Water Classifications and Standards, was amended to include, groundwater, as waters of the State. Also, standards for the quality of groundwater were established at that time. In accordance with Section 48-1-100 of the SC Pollution Control Act and Section 67.300 of SC Regulation 61-67, Standards for Wastewater Facility Construction, a proposed wastewater treatment facility with effluent disposal by land application is required to obtain a discharge permit before a…, Land Application permit, . These permits are also known as ND, , permits since there is no direct discharge (ND) to surface waters. Today, the Land Application Permit Program addresses land application of wastewater treatment plant effluent, nonhazardous sludge, and septage. The Bureau of Water is responsible for the permitting, compliance, monitoring, and enforcement activities of the program. Sludge that is characterized as hazardous is regulated by SCDES's…, spray fields, ,, tile fields, , rapid infiltration basins,, percolation ponds, , and, evaporation basins, . If a wastewater facility that generates waste sludge discharges to surface waters, the method of sludge disposal or use is normally addressed in the, NPDES, permit rather than a separate Land Application Permit. Facilities that land apply both their effluent and sludge are normally issued one Land Application Permit for both activities. For more information on the use or disposal of sludge from wastewater treatment facilities with surface or groundwater discharges, please visit our, Sludge Program, WEB page. Industrial pretreatment facilities that land apply waste sludge are required to have State Land Application Permits for the sludge land disposal. These facilities must receive a State Land Application Permit for sludge disposal before a construction permit can be issued on the wastewater pretreatment system. Agricultural facilities land apply manure and litter as fertilizer for growing…, Agricultural Program, . Also, all facilities that use injection for emplacement of fluid into the subsurface or groundwater by means of a well are regulated by the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program rather than the Land Application Permit Program. The UIC program issues Permits to Construct and Permits to Operate to these facilities. For more information on the UIC Program, please visit our WEB page on the ", Underground Injection Control Program, ." While General Permits are allowed under this program, presently no Land Application General Permits have been issued. Groundwater dischargers are, therefore, issued individual Land Application permits. All draft permits are public noticed. When there is sufficient public interest or significant issues, a public hearing will be held prior to a final permit decision. SC has about 170 active…, Wastewater Construction Permit Program, , the, NPDES Permit Program, , the, Pretreatment Program, , the, Satellite Sewer System Program, , and the, Sludge Program, are integrated into a comprehensive water pollution control program on transportation, treatment, and disposal or use of wastewater and sludge. Wastewater facilities and land application sites are routinely monitored by the, EA Regional Offices, for compliance with their Land Application permits. Dischargers are assisted by the Bureau and EA Regional Offices in achieving and maintaining compliance with their permits. Enforcement actions are used by the Bureau when necessary to attain compliance with permits, water quality standards, and State and Federal Laws and Regulations. Bureau and Regional Staff are available to give talks and…, Contacts, Local Offices, Compliance -, Chuck Williams, ,, (803) 898-4233, Related Topics, NPDES Permit Program, Wastewater Construction Permit Program, Sludge Program, Pretreatment Program, Satellite Sewer System Program, Underground Injection Control Program, Agricultural FacilitiesDrinking Water
Bureau of Water Permitting Information
Actions Your Community Can Take
SCDES has no authority to implement land use planning or include zoning requirements in air permitting reviews. However, as a service, we've compiled this list of model ordinances, policies, resolutions and best management practices to help your community in its efforts to better manage air pollution emissions and develop more sustainable practices. (Please read our disclaimer) You can find…, Assessing Environmental Impact , Worksheet: Assess the Environmental Impact of Your Local Codes and Ordinances and 'Disclaimer' (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) Central Midlands Council of Governments, Indoor Energy Efficiency , Guide to Buying and Benefiting From Green Power (EPA) Building and Energy Codes in South Carolina (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) Design for the Environment (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Green Power in South Carolina (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) High Performance Building (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Local Government Energy Plan (…, Land Use Planning , Land use planning is a comprehensive approach meant to reduce urban sprawl, use land in efficient and ethical ways, and prevent land use conflicts. If done correctly, it can also: Reduce traffic congestion Reduce travel/commuter times Reduce emissions that contribute to air pollution Increase green spaces Improve energy efficiency Help create more sustainable communities. Typically involves…, Model Ordinances: Land Use Planning , Cultivated Agricultural Lands at Risk from Potential Urbanization in the Tri-County Area (SC Water Resources Center and Strom Thurmond Institute) Belmont NC - Traditional Neighborhood Ordinance (General Statutes of North Carolina) South Carolina Conservation Incentives Act: An Innovative Approach to Conservation Conservation Easements (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Georgia…, Academic Journals: Land Use Planning, Environment and Planning (Pion) Journal of Land Use Science (Taylor & Francis Online) Land Use Policy (Elsevier) Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law (Florida State University) Landscape and Urban Planning (Elsevier) Soil Use and Management (Wiley Online Library) Planning Theory (SAGE) Urban Policy and Research (Taylor & Francis Online) Urban Studies (University of Glasgow)…, Other Land Use Planning Websites , Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities (EPA) EPA's land use planning page The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute The 'Smart Growth' Network Spatial Decision Support Knowledge Portal Sustainable Urban Development Resource Guide American Planning Association annual conference page , Mobile Sources of Air Pollution and Transportation Planning , Mobile sources of pollution include on-road vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, etc.) and non-road equipment (boats, airplanes, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, agricultural and construction equipment, etc.). Mobile source emissions contribute to formation of ground-level ozone and contain: Carbon monoxide (EPA) Particulate matter Nitrogen dioxide (EPA) Volatile Organic Compounds - also known as…, Here is information that may help your community implement policies to reduce mobile emissions., Lawnmower, Gas Can Exchanges , Lawnmower and Gas Can Trade-Out (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) , Reducing Vehicle Idling , Idle Reduction Policy (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Lexington County Anti-Idling Policy SC School Bus Idling Law (Section 59-67-190, SC Code of Laws) Engine Idling Control (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) , Alternative Fuel/Transportation , Alternative Fuel Vehicles (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) Carpool/Vanpool (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Diesel Fleet Emission Reduction Program (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Green Fleet Policies (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) Clean Cities Program (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Truckstop Electrification (Sustainable…, Reducing Commuter Traffic (Staggered Work Hours, Telecommuting) , Tax Free Commuter Benefits (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Employee Commute Options-Baseline Survey (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) Flexible Work Schedules (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life), Transportation Planning , Connectivity for Multi Modal Transit (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Pervious Surface (Catawba Regional Council of Governments) North Myrtle Beach Complete Streets Ordinance City of Charlotte NC - Numbering of Buildings for Navigation and Congestion Mitigation MPO/RPO Coordination (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) Shared Parking Ordinance (Catawba Regional…, Open Burning , South Carolina Model Ordinance for Outdoor Hydronic Heaters Lexington County Open Burning Ordinance SCDES Open Burning Web Page , Increasing Environmental Awareness , Education Workshops (Sustainable Environment for the Quality of Life) , Model Ordinance Disclaimer and Background Info , The intent of these model ordinances, policies, resolutions and best management practices is to produce samples that offer local government officials a great deal of operational and fiscal flexibility. However, these model ordinances, policies, resolutions and best managements practices are provided here only for review, reference, and example purposes. No document contained on this site…, Contact, Amy Curran , (803) 898-1644