South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

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

• Program Index
• Advisories
• Applications & Forms
• Drinking Water
• Grants & Loans
• Groundwater
• Laws & Regulations
• Outreach & Education
• Permit Programs & Certifications
• Public Notices & Notice of Proposed Decision
• Publications
• Recreational Waters
• Stormwater
• Water Monitoring
• Water Pollution Control
• Watersheds
• 303(d) & TMDLs
• Water Staff
• Organizational Chart

NPDES Stormwater Program

Stormwater runoff is unfiltered water that reaches streams, lakes, sounds, and oceans by means of flowing across various surfaces. These surfaces include roads, parking lots, driveways, and roofs. Stormwater runoff from construction or industrial activities can have a significant impact on water quality. As stormwater flows over these sites, it picks up pollutants like sediment, debris, and chemicals. Polluted stormwater runoff can lower water quality, harm or kill fish and other wildlife. Sedimentation can destroy aquatic habitat and high volumes of runoff can cause stream bank erosion.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is responsible for managing the states Stormwater Program. The program requires all construction sites of one acre or more, many industrial sites, and all regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to obtain stormwater permit coverage. Some sites will be able to obtain coverage under the state general permit, but sites that pose considerable risk to contaminate water may be required to obtain an individual permit. For more information on the programs, visit the links below.

Construction | Industrial Stormwater | MS4s

Industrial Stormwater Reissuance Presentation
Attention: Industrial Storm Water Permit Expiration - August 31, 2008