Bureau of Water Documents

The Bureau of Water at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control publishes a variety of documents on the health of water in the state, including the annual safe drinking water report, technical reports, and a newsletter on recreational waters.

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Recent Submissions

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    South Carolina’s Comprehensive Priority List of CWSRF Projects
    (South Carolina State Library, 2024-06-24) South Carolina Department of Environmental Control, Bureau of Water
    The Clean Water Act requires that the State maintain a comprehensive list of (infrastructure) projects eligible to be funded from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and rank them in priority order. States have the flexibility to fund a range of projects that address their highest priority water quality needs. The document, South Carolina’s Priority Ranking System for Wastewater and Nonpoint Source Projects, sets forth the water quality criteria used rank potential Clean Water projects. The Priority Ranking System is posted to the SRF Reports and Publications webpage at scdhec.gov/srfreports.
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    Federal FY 2024 CWSRF Base Capitalization Grant Intended Use Plan For State FY 2025
    (South Carolina State Lirbary, 2024-06-24) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water
    In 1987, Congress amended the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), a low interest loan program, to assist public entities with the financing of publicly owned treatment facilities (Section 212) and non-point source management activities (Section 319). The 1987 CWA Amendments authorized the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award capitalization grants to states to provide seed money for the low interest loan program. While the 1987 Amendments only authorized funding for the first several years of the loan program, Congress continues to provide funding as part of its annual appropriations. This Intended Use Plan (IUP), required under the CWA, describes how South Carolina intends to use available SRF funds for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) including federal funds allocated to South Carolina from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. South Carolina’s allotment from the federal appropriations for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024 is $8,364,000. Eligibility for CWSRF loans and CWSRF program requirements, including any requirements of the applicable appropriations legislation are included in the IUP.
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    Uranium and fluoride in fish from the Congaree River
    (2020-05) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water, Aquatic Science Programs; Shearer, Taylor; Rabon, Bryan
    Fish were collected from the Congaree River for targeted chemical analyses of tissue in response to community concerns with the Westinghouse Nuclear Fuels (WNF) facility located in Hopkins, South Carolina. The WNF facility fabricates nuclear fuel assemblies that contain natural and low-enriched uranium oxide fuel for light water commercial nuclear power reactors. The fabrication process comprises chemical and mechanical phases. In the chemical phase the uranium complex of uranium hexafluoride (UF6), produced by treatment of low-level U235 with hydrofluoric acid, is converted to uranium dioxide (UO2) by the ammonium diuranate process. The UO2 is then processed by being pressed into fuel pellets; heated to form a ceramic material; and, passed through a grinding operation. The ensuing fuel pellets are loaded into metal fuel rods that are then sealed and bundled into the final nuclear fuel assembly. Specimens of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and redbreast (Lepomis auratus) sunfish were collected and analyzed for uranium and fluoride. The target analytes were selected based on their presence in normal WNF operations. Although both analytes are present as production chemicals at the facility, uranium is considered to be closer to a signature analyte of the WNF facility than fluoride because fluoride is present in the aquatic environment from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. Ambient natural levels of uranium and fluoride (as fluorine) in the general Eastover area of the State soil are estimated to be 1.0 to 2.0 milligrams per kilogram (mg/Kg) (USGS 2014) and non-detect (<10 mg/Kg) to 47 mg/Kg (USGS 1984), respectively. Filet and whole fish samples were analyzed to evaluate the potential exposure upon human consumption from recreational fishing (filet) and as a sentinel monitor for general biological uptake (whole). Technical Report No. 007-2020.
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    Update regarding lead (Pb) waters of concern re: a review of lead in surface waters
    (2020-11-17) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water, Aquatic Science Programs; Chestnut, David; Rabon, Bryan
    The Addendum to the initial Draft 2018 State of South Carolina Integrated Report Part I (SCDHEC, 2020, IR Part I) identified a total of 169 Waters of Concern (WOC) due to total recoverable Lead. From the results presented herein, 156 of those WOC are currently meeting the lead standard with only 13 requiring ongoing monitoring, either due to 2 or more lead (Pb) standards exceedances or insufficient samples to make a determination. It is clear that concurrent measurements of metals, TSS, and hardness for the calculation of sample specific standards are crucial for the proper assessment of standards compliance and instream conditions. This information for receiving streams is also important for the development of reasonable and protective NPDES permit limits. Accordingly, all freshwater stream metals samples will now be accompanied by concurrent TSS and hardness analyses. Technical Report No. 1019-2020.
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    Synopsis : development and adoption of the Escherichia coli freshwater water quality standard - volumes 1 & 2
    (2020-08-19) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water, Aquatic Science Programs; Chestnut, David; Rabon, Bryan
    This document is a synopsis of the activities undertaken that led the Department (DHEC) to the adoption of Escherichia coli (E. coli) as the new freshwater fecal pathogen indicator in Regulation 61-68 Water Classifications and Standards, replacing fecal coliform bacteria. This report is primarily a collection of the documentation presented to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 to support the change to R.61-68, with additional original material to connect the various attachments. Technical Report No. 015-2020. Volume 2 contains the raw data.
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    Okatee River environmental condition assesment : volumes 1 & 2
    (2020-06) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water, Aquatic Science Programs; Chestnut, David; Rabon, Bryan; Lachenmyer, Lindsey; Lewandowski, Justin; Pangborn, Nicholas; Shearer, Taylor
    In order to respond to local citizens’ concerns over and questions about potential water quality impacts in the Okatee River due to operations of and events at the Able Contracting facility, the Department commissioned the multi-media sampling and analysis assessment reported herein. The Okatee River, which was the ultimate receiving stream for the runoff from the firefighting water, is utilized by nearby residents for shellfish harvesting, fishing, crabbing, and other recreational activities. Questions from local residents about the potential environmental impacts of pollutants from the fire and concerns about the safety of locally-collected shellfish for human consumption led the Bureau of Water (BOW) to develop this Okatee River Environmental Condition Assessment. This project collected a wide range of data on both volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, metals (including arsenic and mercury), pesticides, and PCBs in water, sediment, and oyster and blue crab tissues. Most of the analytes have no numeric standards related to human consumption of oysters and blue crabs, or water quality or sediment standards or criteria. Consequently, the acquired data will be used to begin to establish the baseline for environmental media chemical quality and linkage to hard substrate (via the oyster population) integrity in the assessment area. Technical Report No. 011-2020.
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    Lower Catawba River Basin - stream and lake nutrient water quality study
    (2020-02) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water; Baumann, Ph.D., Matthew S.
    During 2019, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) collected water quality data from six stream sites and 11 lake sites in the Lower Catawba River Basin located in north-central South Carolina. The field sampling program spanned 29 weeks from mid-April through the end of October and builds on studies conducted in previous years by stakeholder partners. Bolstered by years of data collected as part of DHEC’s ambient monitoring program, the comprehensive data set will assist in calibrating new watershed, lake hydrodynamic, and lake water quality models. The models will be used to inform the development of site-specific numeric nutrient criteria and a total maximum daily load aimed at addressing water quality impairments in the basin. Broadly, the objectives of the 2019 field study were to quantify nutrient loadings from the prevalent land use types in the basin and to resolve the relationship between physical and chemical conditions and ecological responses in Fishing Creek Reservoir and Lake Wateree, two hydroelectric reservoirs in the system.
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    An investigation into the potential impacts of coal tar contamination on the invertebrate community of the Congaree River near the city of Columbia, Richland County, SC
    (2017-07) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water; Glover, James B.
    On 15 June 2017, staff of the Aquatic Biology Section within the Bureau of Water of DHEC conducted an aquatic macroinvertebrate bioassessment of the Congaree River near Columbia, SC. The goal of the study was to determine if sediment contaminated with coal tar in the Congaree River was having an adverse impact to the indigenous invertebrate fauna near the sediment plume. The contamination was a waste by-product of a former manufactured gas plant, which was in operation during the first half of the 20th century.
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    Big Wateree Creek study
    (2020-01-31) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water; Chestnut, David; Lewandowski, Justin; Matsuzuru, Yoichi; Pangborn, Nicholas
    During 2019 sample collection was conducted at 11 locations in the Big Wateree Creek, Little Wateree Creek, and Dutchmans Creek watersheds in Fairfield County, SC. Samples were collected for turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and total solids, along with the measurement of streamflow (discharge), under a range of different rain amounts to evaluate the total loading of solids as an estimate of sedimentation. This effort was an expansion of a previous study conducted in this area in 2016 and 2017. Technical Report No. 006‐2020.
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    A bacteriological assessment of surface water quality in a small sub-watershed of the Okatee River Basin
    (2021-06) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water; Pangborn, Nicholas; Lachenmyer, Lindsey; Wilson, Kay; Carter, Lindsey
    Able Contracting Inc. was a Recovered Material Processing Facility located in Jasper County that collected construction and demolition debris for recycling. The facility had a mound of debris estimated to be 45 feet tall and covered approximately four (4) acres. In June 2019, the accumulated debris caught fire and smoldered, with periodic fire breakouts for several months. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began cleanup efforts in August 2019 to address the ongoing smolder by removing the debris material for proper off-site disposal. The last of the debris pile was cleared on January 6, 2020. This response event became the catalyst for significant interest in the potential effects of the Able Contracting site on the Okatee River. Three (3) principal observations coalesced around the Able site response event that led to the bacteriological assessment reported in this document. Technical Report No. 004-2021.
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    Drinking Water State Revolving Fund major financial policies FY 2024
    (2023-09-27) South Carolina Bureau of Water
    This gives loan requirement information for water quality projects designated according to the DHEC Priority List procedures. It includes information on eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, loan fees, security provisions disbursement and repayment policies.
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    Clean Water State Revolving Fund major financial policies FY 2024
    (2023-09-27) South Carolina Bureau of Water; South Carolina State Revolving Fund
    This gives loan requirement information for water quality projects designated according to the DHEC Priority List procedures. It includes information on eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, loan fees, security provisions disbursement and repayment policies.
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    Waccamaw capacity use area : groundwater evaluation report
    (2023-09) Kemmer, Courtney; Wyant, Pamela; South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
    This explains the groundwater management plan for the Waccamaw Region which includes Horry and Georgetown counties and provides an evaluation of current groundwater use and recommendations for its management going forward.
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    Bureau of Water [organizational chart]
    (2023-06) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water
    The organizational charts for the Bureau of Water are released quarterly.
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    Western capacity use area groundwater evaluation report : permitting year 2024
    (2023-09) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Water
    The Western Capacity Use Area (Western Area), which includes the whole of Aiken County, Allendale County, Bamberg County, Barnwell County, Calhoun County, Orangeburg County, and the portion of Lexington County that lies south of the fall line, was the fifth of six currently designated areas of South Carolina’s Coastal Plain to be incorporated into the Capacity Use Program. In the parts of the state designated as a Capacity Use Area, a groundwater withdrawer is defined as, “a person withdrawing groundwater in excess of three million gallons during any one month from a single well or from multiple wells under common ownership within a one-mile radius from any one existing or proposed well” (Groundwater Use and Reporting Act, 2000).
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    Clean water act section 319 grant
    (2022-02-15) Department of Health and Environmental Control Bureau of Water Division of Water Quality
    The Clean Water Act Section 319 grant invites proposals for the execution of a watershed-based plan through best management practice (BMP) implementation. Implementation projects must incorporate BMPs for a waterbody that is included on the most recent 303(d) list or has an approved TMDL, and may include, as a portion of the project, a protection focus for high-quality or threatened waters.
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    Calculating bacterial load reductions in South Carolina for GRTS reporting
    (2023-02) Department of Health and Environmental Control Bureau of Water Division of Water Quality
    This summary provides a demonstration of how bacterial load reductions are calculated for Section 319 implementation grant-funded projects within South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) for reporting to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via the Grants Reporting and Tracking System (GRTS).
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    Watershed water quality assessment : Savannah River Basin
    (2010-08) Lacy, Cynthia M.; South Carolina Bureau of Water
    The Watershed Water Quality Assessment (WWQA) is a geographically based document that describes, at the watershed level, water quality related activities that may potentially have an adverse impact on water quality. The Watershed Implementation Staff investigates the impaired streams mentioned in the WWQA to determine, where possible, the source of the impairment and recommends solutions to correct the problems.
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    Watershed water quality assessment : Santee River Basin
    (2005-12) Lacy, Cynthia M.; South Carolina Bureau of Water
    The Watershed Water Quality Assessment (WWQA) is a geographically based document that describes, at the watershed level, water quality related activities that may potentially have an adverse impact on water quality. The Watershed Implementation Staff investigates the impaired streams mentioned in the WWQA to determine, where possible, the source of the impairment and recommends solutions to correct the problems.
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    Watershed water quality assessment : Saluda River Basin
    (2004-10) South Carolina Bureau of Water
    The Watershed Water Quality Assessment (WWQA) is a geographically based document that describes, at the watershed level, water quality related activities that may potentially have an adverse impact on water quality. The Watershed Implementation Staff investigates the impaired streams mentioned in the WWQA to determine, where possible, the source of the impairment and recommends solutions to correct the problems.