South Carolina State Overview
The state of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is responsible for managing the state's Stormwater Program. The permitting program requires all construction sites of one (1) acre or more, many industrial sites, and all regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to obtain stormwater general permit coverage. Depending on whether a construction site’s attributes meets the requirements and specifications of the general permit, some construction sites are able to obtain coverage under the State General Permit. However, project sites that pose considerable risk to contaminate waters of the state of South Carolina may be required to obtain an individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
The NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) authorizes stormwater discharges from “large” and “small” construction activities where any discharges enter surface waters of the State or a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) leading to South Carolina surface waters. Those discharges and those discharging are subject to the conditions set forth in NPDES CGP. The Construction General Permit also authorizes stormwater discharges from any other construction activity designated by South Carolina DHEC based on the potential for contribution to a violation of a Water Quality Standard (WQS) or for significant contribution of pollutants to surface waters of the state of South Carolina.
Project owners or operators of sites where stormwater discharges from construction activities (clearing, grading ,filling, demolition) that (1) results in soil exposure, excavating and other land disturbing activities of one (1) acre or more; or (2) comes from projects or developments of less than one (1) acre of land disturbance are required to obtain authorization under this permit if the construction activities at the site are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that comprise of at least one (1) acre of land disturbance are required to apply for an NPDES Construction General Permit. Owners or operators can apply for permit coverage by filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) and developing and submitting a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). While under review, the SWPPP must be labeled as the "Comprehensive SWPPP" (C-SWPPP).
DISCLAIMER: This program has not yet been approved by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control.
The state of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is responsible for managing the state's Stormwater Program. The permitting program requires all construction sites of one (1) acre or more, many industrial sites, and all regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to obtain stormwater general permit coverage. Depending on whether a construction site’s attributes meets the requirements and specifications of the general permit, some construction sites are able to obtain coverage under the State General Permit. However, project sites that pose considerable risk to contaminate waters of the state of South Carolina may be required to obtain an individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
