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 offering on-site technical assistance.
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, managerial, and financial capacity. Additionally, the SDWA requires that a report on the effectiveness of a State's Capacity Development Strategy be submitted to the Governor every three years.
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.
The General Inspector provides the service of testing backflow prevention assemblies to the general public.
Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program Submittal Package and Where to Apply Submittal Package complete submittal package for a new dam consists of the following:
for a high or significant hazard dam, an emergency action plan.
The requirement to obtain a permit applies to construction of new dams that meet the size to be regulated, as well as to alterations, repairs, and removals of existing dams that are regulated.
The following types of dams are exempt from the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Act and the regulations pertaining thereto:
Alteration - any change to a dam or reservoir which affects the physical parameters and safety of the dam or reservoir which may include but is not limited to changing the height of a dam, increasing the normal pool or principal spillway elevation or changing the elevation or physical dimensions of an emergency spillway.
Appurtenant works - include but are not limited to such structures as spillways, either in the dam or separate therefrom, low level outlet works and water conduits.
During Emergency Situations call the
Dam Safety Program
Staff are available 24/7 at:
803-898-1939
Section 12-6-3370 of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws provides for a state tax credit for the construction, installation or restoration of water impoundments and water control structures used for certain purposes. That Section of the 1976 Code is printed here:
Section 12-6-3370. Tax credits for construction, installation or restoration of water impoundments and water control structures.
Regulatory Authority Overview
