In South Carolina, efforts to require the management of septic systems are being initiated by local governments who have recognized the need to manage all wastewater, not just public sewers. It is our hope that the information and resources contained in this Septic System Management Tool Kit will encourage and assist in the development of many septic system management programs. It is our belief that a management program designed by and for a particular community will have a greater chance of success. This tool kit is designed to provide local governments with both information and tools: information to educate decision makers and the public on the benefits of managing septic systems, and tools to develop and implement a management program.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (DHEC-OCRM) has taken the lead role in promoting the voluntary adoption of septic system management programs at the local level in the coastal zone. This task is necessary for us to gain federal approval of our Coastal Nonpoint Program (CNP) for the management of nonpoint source pollution, or polluted runoff. The potential for impacting groundwater and surface waters has put septic systems into the category of nonpoint source pollution.
Since showing is better than telling, DHEC-OCRM has conducted several pilot projects aimed at informing homeowners and local governments about the benefits of properly managed septic systems. A lot of the impetus and background that went into creating this tool kit comes from these pilot projects. Much of this work could not have been done without the cooperation and participation of county and regional DHEC offices, and of course, that of local governments.