South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-68 - Water Classifications and Standards
Section 61-68.A - PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-68.A

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

1. This regulation, promulgated pursuant to authority in the S.C. Pollution Control Act, S.C. Code Sections 48-1-10 et seq., establishes a system and rules for managing and protecting the quality of South Carolina's surface and ground water. They establish the State's official classified water uses for all waters of the State, establish general rules and specific numeric and narrative criteria for protecting classified and existing water uses, and establish procedures for classifying waters of the State. The water quality standards include the uses of the waters, the numeric and narrative criteria, and the antidegradation rules contained in this regulation.

a. The uses of the waters of the State are defined and described in Sections B, C, E, F, G, and H of this regulation.

b. Numeric criteria for aquatic life and human health are numeric values for specific parameters and pollutants or water quality levels which have been assigned for the protection of the existing and classified uses for each of the classifications in South Carolina and are listed in Sections D, E, G, H, and the Appendix. Narrative criteria for aquatic life and human health are general goals and statements of attainable or attained conditions of biological integrity and water quality of the waterbody. These narrative criteria rely upon the use of standardized measures and data analyses to make qualitative determinations of the water quality and use attainment. The Department uses scientifically sound and, where applicable, EPA-approved methods in making these determinations. Narrative criteria are listed in Sections C, D, E, F, G, and H.

c. Antidegradation rules provide a minimum level of protection to all waters of the State and also include provisions and requirements necessary to determine when and if water quality degradation is allowed. Antidegradation rules are described in Section D of this regulation.

2. Waters which meet standards shall be maintained. Waters which do not meet standards shall be improved, wherever attainable, to achieve those standards. However, the Department cannot assure that classified waters shall at all times meet the numeric water quality standards for such uses.

3. Recognizing the technical and economic difficulty in restoring water quality, the Department shall emphasize a preventive approach in protecting waters of the State.

4. It is a goal of the Department to maintain and improve all surface waters to a level to provide for the survival and propagation of a balanced indigenous aquatic community of flora and fauna and to provide for recreation in and on the water. It is also a goal to provide, where appropriate and desirable, for drinking water after conventional treatment, shellfish harvesting, and industrial and agricultural uses.

5. It is a goal of the Department to maintain or restore ground water quality so it is suitable as a drinking water source without any treatment.

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