The BMP Handbook is provided below in either one complete download or in individual sections. This handbook evaluates numerous Best Management Practices (BMPs) by explaining where and when to use the BMP, how to install, inspect and maintain the BMP, and if the BMP is used to meet water quality requirements. The handbook also provides design aids that outline how to determine trapping.
BMPs are important in the control of nonpoint pollution including stormwater runoff. These practices are implemented in site specific SWPPPs that identify and promote the most efficient BMPs based on site conditions. Examples of these BMPs include retention ponds, detention and extended detention ponds, vegetative filter strips or buffers, and infiltration BMPs, such as infiltration trenches, medians and swales. All of which are explained in detail in the BMP Handbook.
Stormwater Documents
Click here to download the most recent documents that will help you obtain, maintain, or terminate coverage under the General Permits.
Applications & Forms
Click here to download any of the applications or forms that will help you obtain or terminate coverage under the General Permits.
Final Stabilization
Click here to learn more about how to reach final stabilization during land disturbing activities.
South Carolina’s Complete Stormwater Management BMP Handbook (18.7 MB) |
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SC's BMP Field Manual for Contractors (19.4 MB) |
Commonly Used Stormwater Acronyms |
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Overview of Types of BMPs |
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Information on Settling Velocity and Eroded Particle Sizes (Sedimentology) |
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Information on what to submit when using BMPs not covered in this handbook. |
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Information on “innovative” BMP use |
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Calculating Pollutant Loads with IDEAL Model |
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Information on Post Construction Water Quality Control. |
General Information on Erosion Prevention Measures. |
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Information on horizontal grooves, depressions, or steps that run parallel to the contour of the land. Commonly referred to as Tracking. |
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Information on seed selection, nutrient application, inspection and maintenance of temporary vegetated cover. |
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A temporary soil stabilization practice using materials such as grass, hay, wood chips, wood fibers, or straw. |
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Erosion Prevention BMP that composed primarily of biologically, photchemically or otherwise degradable constituents with a longevity of 1- and 3- years. |
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Composed of nondegradable products that enchance the ability of living plants to stablize soil. Greater longevity and velocity capacity than ECBs. |
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FGM combines both chemical and mechanical bonding techniques to lock a soil matrix in place. |
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A continuous layer of non-toxic, degradable, elongated fiber materials held together by water insoluble bonding agents. |
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Information on seed selection, nutrient application, inspection and maintenance of permanent vegetated cover. |
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Information on transplanting vegetative sections of plant materials to promptly stabilize areas that is subject to erosion. |
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Permanent, erosion-resistant aggregate consisting of large, loose, angular sonte with a filter fabric underlining. |
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Riprap, ECB, or TCM protection that dissipates the energy of concentrated stormwater flows reducing erosion or scouring at storm water outlets. |
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Information on how to control soil erosion that is a direct result of Wind. |
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A non-toxic chemical material used for controlling soil erosion and sedimentation through coagulation. |
General Information on Sediment Control BMPs. |
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Temporary collection basin used to trap sediment laden runoff and to slow down the flow so that soil particules fall from suspension before discharging. |
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A temporary excavated depression equipped with an earthen embankment with a spillway or outlet constucted used to collect and suspend sediment laden runoff. |
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Temporary sediment control BMP that ponds sediment laden runoff and slowly releases through geotextile fabric. |
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A small, temporary or permanent rock fill dam constructed across a drainage ditch, swale or channel to lower the speed of concentrated flows. |
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Elongated tubes of compacted geotextiles, curled excelsior wood, natural coconut fiber or hardwood mulch installed in drainage conveyance swales. |
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A required temporary stone-stabilized pad located at any point where vehicular ingress and egress may occur on a land disturbance site. |
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Information on the types of devices that filter sediment laden runoff before entering any type of inlet. |
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Inlet Protection that uses silt fence technology. |
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Inlet Protection that makes use of sediment tubes. |
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Inlet Protection that uses hardware fabric/wire mesh and stone. |
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Inlet Protection that uses concrete blocks and gravel. |
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Inlet Protection that uses prefabricated filters. |
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Inlet Protection that uses inlet filter tubes placed in front of curb side, catch basin inlets. |
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Additional information on inlet tubes that are placed around inlet structures. |
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Semi-circular sediment control structures constructed across drainage ditches, swales, low areas or other areast that receive concentrated flows. |
General Information on Runoff Control and Conveyance Measures. |
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A temporary or permanent drain pipe that transports concentrated runoff from the top to the bottom of a slope. |
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A bridge or colvert across a stream or watercourse for short-term use by construction vehicles and heavy equipment. |
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Dikes and/or Berms that are used to divert upslope runoff from crossing areas where there is a high risk of erosion. |
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A permanent outlet for dikes and diversions consisting of an excavated channel constructed at zero grade across a slope that converts concentrated runoff to sheet flow and realeases it onto stabilized existing vegetation. |
A perforated pipe or conduit placed beneath the surface of the ground that collects and transports runoff filtered through the surrounding soils. |
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The removal of storm water from bore pits, trenches and other excavations in a manner to prevent sediment laden discharge to downstream areas. |
Improve water quality by providing partial pollutant removal as water is filtered through vegetation or infiltration into the underlaying soil. |
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Area along a shoreline, wetland or stream where development is restricted or prohibited in order to provide a natural buffer that will filter runoff. |
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Directing rooftop runoff into pervious areas where it is allowed to filter through vegetation and/or allowed to infiltrate into the soil. |
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Concentrated devlopment away from environmentally sensitive areas to reduce the amount of impervious land cover. |
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An area of undisturbed land with natural vegetation that accepts runoff from new development and infiltrates it into the soil. |
General Information on Sturtural Water Quality Control Structures. |
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Wet or permanent pool detention that improve storm water quality by detaining runoff for an extended period of time to allow pollutants suspendeded in the runoff to settle out. |
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Detention that provides temporary storage for storm water runoff and detains runoff inflows in order to promotes the settlement of pollutants. |
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Detention tanks or vaults located underground to attenuate peak stormwater flows. |
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Consctructed wetlands that remove pollutants primarily through physical filtration and settling, by biological processes of wetland plants, and bacteria in substrate. |
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Infiltration Areas that are designed to mimic natural forest ecosystems with a combination of soil filtration, plant nutrient uptake, and biological utilization. |
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Excavations typically filled with stone to create an underground reservoir for stormwater runoff. |
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Conveyance Channels engineered to capture, treat, and release stormwater quality runoff volume from a designated area. |
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Information on various prefabricated water quality control structures. |
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Zones of vegetation where pollutant-laden runoff is introduced as sheet flow. |
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Information of the use of grass or porous paving surfacing in leiu of impervious areas. |
BMPs tables that display when to use certain BMPs, water quality characteristics, and water quality treaments ratings. |
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A Flowchart that can be used to select proper BMPs for either sediment control, runoff flow control and erosion prevention. |
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Temporary and Permanent Seeding Charts for various types of seed. |
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Specifications on wetland vegetation that may improve water quality and flood control, may enhance the wildlife habitat and provide, and may be provided as education and recreational resources. |
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Soil Distribution Tables for all South Carolina Soils. |
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A table of various 24 Hour Storm Events with respective to counties, used to determine precipitation depth (inches). |
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Construction details for various erosion control BMPs. |
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Construction details for varius sediment control BMPs. |
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Construction details for runoff control BMPs. |
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Construction details for water quality BMPs. |
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Trapping Efficiency Figures referenced for all sediment control BMPs. |
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-3795 .