OCRM: Onsite Septic System - Expert Help
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
- DHEC County Environmental Health Offices (pdf) - Essentially all of the site evaluation, permitting, and enforcement activities related to onsite septic systems are conducted through the county or district offices. The statewide program is managed through the Columbia office which also assists in local matters as needed. If you are considering implementing a septic management program, make sure to include your local DHEC office in these efforts. They are a wealth of resources and they should be able to coordinate their permitting efforts with your needs for a management program.
- DHEC Onsite Wastewater Division - Visit DHEC's Division of Onsite Wastewater Management's website for information on septic systems, permit and license application forms, and regulations.
- Septic System Inspector Training Workshops -
Now that you're getting all geared up to develop a management program you are probably wondering who will do the inspections. DHEC-OCRM developed a septic system inspector training program so that local governments would have a pool of qualified inspectors (from the private sector) to conduct effective, thorough inspections. In 2003, DHEC-OCRM partnered with Clemson Extension and the S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program and offered three Septic System Inspector Training workshops. These 2-day workshops were held in Charleston, Conway, and Beaufort. They were attended by 30 non-DHEC people that included professions such as home inspectors, septic installers, septic pumpers, educators, and local government officials [see Inspector list (pdf)]. Day one involved classroom instruction and day two included two hands-on septic system inspections. Check our workshop web page, OCRM Workshops, for notice of future inspector training workshops. They will be offered as the demand requires.
- DHEC-OCRM Planning Division -
Visit OCRM Planning Division's website for septic system maintenance information, funding opportunities, and additional information. Not in My Septic System! magnets may also be requested from the Planning Division for distribution to beach rental houses or any individual or property. Also, as the creator of this Onsite Septic System Management Tool Kit, DHEC-OCRM is available to assist local governments in coastal South Carolina with their efforts toward developing and implementing a septic system management program/ordinance. Contact Lisa Hajjar to request assistance.
- DHEC-OCRM Realtor Workshops -
DHEC-OCRM has developed a Realtor Workshop which gives four hours of continuing education units to realtors. In addition to presentations on septic systems and wells, the workshop covers the topics of oceanfront property disclosure information, dock permitting, freshwater wetlands, and cultural resources as they relate to DHEC rules and regulations. The PowerPoint presentations on those topics can be found at the web link here Realtor Workshop Presentations. Check our workshop web page for updated information on workshop offerings and locations for future realtor workshops OCRM Workshops.