Triennial Review of
S.C. Regulation 61-68 (Water Classifications Standards)
&
Amendment of S.C. Regulation 61-69 (Classified Waters)
S.C. Regulation 61-68 is South Carolina’s water quality standards regulation. This regulation provides a system and rules for managing and protecting the quality of South Carolina’s surface and ground waters. It establishes the State’s official classified water uses for all waters of the State, its general rules and specific narrative and numeric criteria for protecting those classified and existing beneficial water uses, and antidegradation rules for protecting and maintaining water quality. Section 303(c)(2)(B) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that the State review and amend, as necessary, its water quality standards at least once every three years in order to incorporate the latest Federal criteria recommendations and policies. Therefore, this water quality standards review process is referred to as the triennial review. R.61-68 was last amended on April 25, 2008.
In accordance with the S.C. Administrative Procedures Act (APA), the Department has begun the promulgation process for review and potential revision of S.C. Regulation 61-68. The Department has also made the decision to amend S.C. Regulation 61-69, Classified Waters. This regulation is a compilation of the State’s listed waters, their counties and site description of their locations, classifications and designations, and any applicable site-specific criteria for that listed waterbody. The Department intends to correct errors which have occurred over time and also to list any recent Department and EPA approved recalculations for site-specific criteria to listed waterbodies which were performed utilizing codified methodologies as noted in R.61-68.E.14.c.7.
Notice of Drafting
The Notice of Drafting for both regulations was published in the State Register on Friday, March 26, 2010. Please note the closing date for the public comment period is April 26, 2010
- Notice of Drafting
- This second Notice of Drafting was published in the State Register on Friday, April 23, 2010. Please note the closing date for the public comment period has been extended to May 28, 2010.
Comments Received from Notice of Drafting (2)
- American Rivers and SCCCL Comments on Triennial Review NOD
- Catawba Riverkeeper and SCCCL Comments on Triennial Review NOD
- Chamber & SCMA letter to SCDHEC on Source Water portion of NOD
- Conservation Groups Comments on Triennial Review NOD
- ReWa Comments on Triennial Review NOD
- Sansbury Comments on Triennial Review NOD
- SCWQA Comments on Triennial Review NOD
- SRNS Comments on Trienial Review NOD
- SRS COMMENTS REGARDING PATHOGEN INDICATOR STUDY
- Comments received from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
Additional Comments and Suggestions
- American Rivers and SCCCL suggested language via email
- Beaufort Group Comments on Triennial Review
- Catawba Riverkeeper Additional Comments - Arsenic
- SCCCL Additional Commments
- Comments received from Friends of the Congaree Swamp
EPA Comments
Notice of Proposed Regulation for S.C. Regulation 61-68,
Water Classifications and Standards
- Notice for the November 26, 2010 State Register Publication
- Department Response to Comments Received thus far in the Triennial
- Notice of Cancellation and Rescheduling of Public Hearing
Document No. 4161
- Automatic approval by S.C. Legislature on January 24, 2012. See State Register on February 24, 2012.
Federal Criterion Documents and Information
- Notice of Availability of National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for Acrolein and Phenol | Federal Register Environmental Documents | USEPA
- Acrolein Aquatic Life Criteria | Water Quality Criteria | US EPA
- Phenol (CASRN 108-95-2) | IRIS | US EPA
Other information
SCDHEC link to pathogen study data
Evaluation of Freshwater Recreational Uses and Bacteria
Contact
Water Quality Standards Coordinator: Gina L. Kirkland (803) 898-4330
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-3795 . Contact Us