South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

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Groundwater - Water Use and Reporting Program (Capacity Use)

The Groundwater Use and Reporting Program issues Groundwater Use Withdrawal Permits to all groundwater systems located in a designated Capacity Use Area (Map of Capacity Use Areas). Current Capacity Use Areas are; Low Country (Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper counties), Pee Dee (Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marboro, Williamsburg counties), Trident (Berkeley,Charleston, and Dorchester) and Waccamaw (Georgetown, Horry counties). Groundwater Withdrawal permits are required to withdraw and use groundwater equal to or greater than three million gallons in any month in the counties in these areas.

Beginning January 1, 2001, the intention to install any well that will withdraw 3 million gallons or more of groundwater in any month or increase the rated capacity of an existing well in the Coastal Plain, but outside of a Capacity Use Area, must have a Notice of Intent provided to the Department at least 30 days prior to drilling or initiating the action. Coastal Plain counties currently outside of a Capacity Use Area (Map of NOI counties) include all of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg, Sumter and those portions of Chesterfield, Edgefield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, and Saluda counties located in the Coastal Plain east or southeast of the fall line (as identified on best available geologic maps or contact the Department at the phone numbers below).

Groundwater withdrawers who withdraw and use groundwater equal to or greater than three million gallons in any month in the remaining counties of the State shall register their groundwater withdrawal and subsequent use with the Department (Map of Registration counties).

Compliance

Each permit or permit application must comply with the construction, operation, and special conditions as set forth in R.61-113, Groundwater Use and Reporting Regulations.

Guidance Document and Reports

Guidance Document

• Capacity Use Program Permitting (PDF - 230 KB)A guide for permitting groundwater withdrawal in designated Capacity Use Areas.

Reports

Capacity Use Designations

• A Preliminary Assessment of the Groundwater Conditions in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties, South Carolina (July 2001)
• Fact Sheet - Trident Area Capacity Use Designation (May 2002)
• A Preliminary Assessment of the Groundwater Conditions in Part of the Pee Dee Region, South Carolina (August 2003)
• Fact Sheet - Pee Dee Region Capacity Use Designation (August 2003)
• An Assessment Of Groundwater Conditions In Hampton County For Capacity Use Designation (June 2007)
• Fact Sheet - Hampton County Capacity Use Designation (July 2007)
  

  Water Use Reports

• South Carolina Savannah River Basin Facilities Water Use Report 2004 (PDF)
• South Carolina Catawba/Wateree River Facilities Water Use Report 2004 (PDF)
• Evaluation of the Downward Migration of Saltwater to the Upper Floridan Aquifer in the Savannah, Georgia, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, areas
• South Carolina Water Use Report 1999 and 2000 Summary Data Compilation (June 2002) (PDF)
• South Carolina Water Use Report 2001 Summary (PDF)
• South Carolina Water Use Report 2002 Summary (PDF)
• South Carolina Water Use Report 2003 Summary (PDF)
• South Carolina Water Use Report 2004 Summary (PDF)
• South Carolina Water Use Report 2005 Summary (PDF)
• South Carolina Water Use Report 2006 Summary (PDF)
  

Law(s)

Groudwater

• The Groundwater Use And Reporting Act (Chapter 5 of Title 49, Section 49-5-10 et. seq.of the 1976 Code as amended)

Surface Water

• South Carolina Surface Water Withdrawal and Reporting Act (Chapter 4 of Title 49, Section 49-4-10 et. seq.of the 1976 Code as amended)

Regulations

• Regulations for Groundwater Use
  For copies of regulations contact Paul Bristol at (803) 898-3559.

Permitting

• Groundwater Withdrawal Permit Application and Directions (PDF-191 KB)
• Groundwater Withdrawal Renewal Permit Application and Directions (PDF-193 KB)
• Notice Of Intent (NOI) and Directions (PDF-125 KB)
• Water Use Registration (PDF-86 KB)

Maps

• Capacity Use Areas
• Notice of Intent Counties
• Registration Counties

• Paul Bristol, at (803) 898-3559, Alex Butler at (803) 898-3575.