Wastewater Construction Permitting: Intro, Contacts

South Carolina requires submission of plans and specifications and a written permit before a wastewater system may be constructed or modified. Wastewater systems regulated by DHEC include:

• Sewer lines
• Wastewater pretreatment facilities
• Wastewater treatment facilities
• Sludge handling and treatment facilities.

We issue approximately 1,000 permits each year.

The Water Facilities Permitting Division, part of DHEC's Bureau of Water, administers the wastewater construction permit program. The Wastewater Construction Permit Program, the NPDES Permit Program , the Land Application System Permit Program , the Pretreatment Program , the Satellite Sewer System Program , and the Sludge Program are integrated into a comprehensive water pollution control program on transportation, treatment, and disposal or use of wastewater and sludge.

DHEC's regional offices handle field work associated with the wastewater construction permit program. This includes construction inspections and final inspections to ensure all work is performed according to approved plans and specifications. Before wastewater facilities can be placed into operation, a written authorization to begin operations must be granted by the regional office. DHEC uses enforcement actions when necessary to ensure proper construction permits are obtained and to ensure compliance with permit rules.