The SC Pollution Control Act (PCA) is the basis of South Carolina's water pollution control and water quality protection programs. It establishes the Department of Health and Environmental Control (Department) as the state agency responsible for environmental matters. The law empowers the Department to hold hearings, promulgate regulations, require permits, conduct monitoring, and take enforcement actions among other things.
All publicly owned and privately owned treatment facilities treating domestic wastewater are regulated by federal regulations 40 CFR 503 deals with use and disposal of domestic sludge. This federal regulation has been adopted by the Bureau and is included in Regulation 61-9 under Section 503. Also, the Bureau has state regulations for use and disposal of industrial sludge not regulated either under R.61-9.503 or as a hazardous waste. The industrial sludge regulations are in Section 504 of Regulation 61-9.
Background. Sludge is a by-product of water and wastewater treatment operations. Sludge from biological treatment operations is sometimes referred to as wastewater biosolids. Before sludge can be disposed, it needs to be treated to a certain degree. The type of treatment needed depends on the disposal method proposed. The two most common disposal methods are landfilling and land application. SCDES regulates the disposal of sludge via its various permitting programs.
The 1977 amendments to the Federal Clean Water Act and the Federal Pretreatment Regulations in 40 CFR Part 403 require Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) that have significant industrial users to administer a local pretreatment program.
Regulation 61-9.610outlines a rule for operation and maintenance of satellite sewer systems. This rule set up a operating permit program as a means to implement these requirements. SCDES reissued a General Permit for Satellite Systemson January 4, 2012. Upon notification of coverage under this general permit owners of satellite sewer systems are required to:
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States. The statute employs a variety of regulatory and nonregulatory tools to sharply reduce direct pollutant discharges into waterways, finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and manage polluted runoff.
