South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-9 - Water Pollution Control Permits
Subchapter 61-9.122 - THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
Part B - PERMIT APPLICATION AND SPECIAL NPDES PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Section 61-9.122.B.30 - What are the objectives of the storm water regulations for small MS4s?

(a) Sections122.30 through 122.36 are written in a "readable regulation" format.

(b) Under the statutory mandate in section402(p)(6)(p)(6) of the Clean Water Act, the purpose of this portion of the storm water program is to designate additional sources that need to be regulated to protect water quality and to establish a comprehensive storm water program to regulate these sources. (Because the storm water program is part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program, you should also refer to section122.1 which addresses the broader purpose of the NPDES program.)

(c) Storm water runoff continues to harm the nation's waters. Runoff from lands modified by human activities can harm surface water resources in several ways including changing natural hydrologic patterns and elevating pollutant concentrations and loadings. Storm water runoff may contain or mobilize high levels of contaminants, such as sediment, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, toxins, oxygen-demanding substances, and floatables.

(d) EPA and the Department strongly encourage partnerships and the watershed approach as the management framework for efficiently, effectively, and consistently protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and protecting public health.