Engineering Department | Stormwater

On January 30, 2006, the South Carolina Department of Health And Environmental Control (SCDHEC) issued the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Regulated Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). Berkeley County is a Regulated MS4 operator and must comply with the NPDES General Permit (Permit) requirements. The Permit requires the County to develop, implement and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to reduce the discharge of pollutants from our MS4 to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.

On July 1, 2008, the County was granted permission to discharge stormwater to receiving waters in the State of South Carolina from its regulated area subject to the Permit requirements.

The mission of the Department is to develop and implement a SWMP to comply with the regulatory requirements of the Permit as well as to protect, maintain, and enhance water quality and the environment of Berkeley County and the short-term and long-term public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Berkeley County.

Following are the components of Berkeley County’s SWMP:

Public Education & Outreach
Public Involvement/Participation
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
Post-Construction Stormwater Management
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Discharges to Impaired Water Bodies

Berkeley County Council is considering establishing a Stormwater Management Utililty (Utility) which will implement and fund the SWMP and satisfy the regulatory requirements of the Permit. The Utility will carry out the purposes, functions, and responsibilities as set forth in the Stormwater Management Utility Ordinance. To fund the SWMP, fees will be established and collected as set forth in the Ordinance.

A Draft Stormwater Management Utility Ordinance along with interim fees and classifications has been developed and submitted to County Council for adoption.

Related Information:
Berkeley County Stormwater Utility Fee Presentation
MS4 Regulated Area

Stormwater Documents:
Stormwater Management Ordinance
Stormwater Design Standards Manual
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Manual
Stormwater Fee Resolution
Stormwater Fees

Stormwater Applications:
Construction Activity Application (CAA)
Covenants for Permanent Maintenance of Stormwater Systems
Checklist for CAA
Approval Process for CAA
Transfer of Ownership Application