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Chapter Twelve State and Territory Summaries
For a copy of the South Carolina1998 305(b) report, contact:
Gina Kirkland
South Carolina Department ofHealth and Environmental ControlBureau of Water Pollution Control2600 Bull StreetColumbia, SC 29201(803) 898-4250e-mail: kirklagl@columb35.dhec.state.sc.usclosed as a precaution due topotential pollution from nearbymarinas or point source discharges.Bacteria are the most frequentcause of impairment (i.e., partial ornonsupport of designated uses) inrivers and streams; metals are themost frequent cause of impairmentin lakes, but only 9% of lakes do notfully support all uses; and low dis-solved oxygen is the most frequentcause of impairment in estuaries.Toxic contaminants do not appearto be a widespread problem inSouth Carolina surface waters.South Carolina did not reporton the condition of wetlands.
Ground Water Quality
Overall ground water qualityremains excellent, although thenumber of reported ground watercontamination cases rose from 60cases in 1980 to 3,350 cases in1998. The increase in the numberof contaminated sites is primarilydue to expanded monitoring atunderground storage tank sites.Leaking underground storage tanksare the most common source ofcontamination, impacting 2,650sites. Other major sources includespills, landfills, hazardous wastesites, and land application of waste.
Programs to RestoreWater Quality
The South Carolina Departmentof Health and EnvironmentalControl (DHEC) initiated a Water-shed Water Quality Management
Surface Water Quality
Eighty-seven percent of sur-veyed rivers, 92% of surveyed lakes,and 68% of estuaries have goodwater quality that fully supportsaquatic life uses. Fifty-three percentof rivers, more than 99% of lakes,and 89% of estuaries fully supportswimming. Unsuitable water qualityis responsible for shellfish harvestingprohibitions in only 2% of thestate’s coastal shellfish waters.Another 11% of shellfish waters are
South Carolina
80% - 100% Meeting All Uses50% - 79% Meeting All Uses20% - 49% Meeting All Uses0% - 19% Meeting All UsesInsufficient Assessment CoverageBasin Boundaries(USGS 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit)Percent of Assessed Rivers, Lakes, andEstuaries Meeting All Designated Uses
of 00
Environmental Protection Agency: sc
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| Upload Date: | 01/27/2008 |
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