Summary of South Carolina's Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Landscaping

This page is part of the EPA’s REUSExplorer tool, which summarizes the different state level regulations or guidelines for water reuse for a variety of sources and end-uses.

The source water for this summary is Treated Municipal Wastewater.

On this page:

• Technical basis
• Water reuse for landscaping approved for use in South Carolina
• Water reuse treatment category for landscaping
• Additional context and definitions
• Water reuse for landscaping specifications (table)
• Upcoming state law or policy
• References
• Disclaimer

---

This page is a summary of the state’s water reuse law or policy and is provided for informational purposes only. Please always refer to the state for the most accurate and updated information. 

In South Carolina, water reuse for landscaping water reuse for landscapingThe use of recycled water on land to assist in the irrigation of vegetation in residential and non-residential areas. Includes impoundments to store water for irrigation , ornamental vegetation, parks, school yards, sporting facilities (including golf courses), private gardens, roadsides and greenbelts, and cemeteries. Excludes irrigation of areas used for agriculture, commercial reuse applications, or any centralized non-potable reuse. includes land application of reclaimed water in areas with a high potential for contact. The source of water (treated municipal wastewater) treated municipal wastewater Treated wastewater effluent discharged from a centralized wastewater treatment plant of any size. Other terms referring to this source of water include domestic wastewater, treated wastewater effluent, reclaimed water, and treated sewage. is specified by the state as treated effluent . This write-up uses state terms when discussing sources or uses of water that may differ from the Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer's (REUSExplorer's) terms.

Technical basis

South Carolina permits the land application of reclaimed water in areas with a high potential for contact (e.g., residential irrigation systems, multifamily irrigation systems, commercial irrigation systems in common residential areas, public parks and open spaces) (S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42). All applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.), including its implementing regulations, must be met in addition to any relevant rule requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (124 Stat. 3885). Treatment requirements and performance standards are applied for the removal of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators for water reuse for landscaping are summarized in the table. Turbidity limits may be established in terms of Turbidity Units, or other means similar to the protection of Drinking Water (S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.12261-9.122). Coliform limitations (for those activities covered under the reclaimed water description) similar to the standards in State Primary Regulations (S.C. Code Regs. 61-5861-58) shall be met in the effluent and the distribution system. Additional information on the technical basis for developing the specifications and/or removals of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators is not explicitly specified.

Water reuse for landscaping approved for use in South Carolina

S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42 defines the following approved water reuse for landscaping:

• The land application of reclaimed water in areas with a high potential for contact (e.g., residential irrigation systems, multifamily irrigation systems, commercial irrigation systems in common residential areas, public parks and open spaces) (Reclaimed wastewater system)

Water reuse treatment category for landscaping

South Carolina does not provide specific categories or classes for recycled water. However, the state defines a “reclaimed wastewater system” as a method of advanced wastewater treatment designed to produce an effluent of such a high quality to be suitable for irrigation in areas with public contact such as yard irrigation and public open spaces (S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42). Secondary treatment and advanced treatment (definition not provided) are required in these systems.

Additional context and definitions

Piping shall be clearly marked to identify reclaimed water lines and the Department may establish specific guidelines for use of reclaimed water systems (S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42). Reclaimed wastewater systems may be required to provide covered storage systems (or other alternative methods) to maintain effluent quality prior to distribution (S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42). 

Water reuse for landscaping specifications

Summary of South Carolina's Water Reuse for Landscaping Specifications

Source= S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42

* Information about sampling and monitoring requirements such as frequency, site and quantification methods not specifically listed in the table was not explicitly specified in the State-specific regulations.

Upcoming state law or policy

No upcoming regulations pertaining to water reuse for landscaping were found for South Carolina.

References

Additional Conditions Applicable to Specified Categories of Land Application Permits and State Permits, S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.42.

Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), 124 Stat. 3885.

Land Application Permits and State Permits, S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.505.

State Primary Drinking Water Regulations, S.C. Code Regs. 61-58.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, S.C. Code Regs. 61-9.122.

---

Disclaimers

Please contact us at waterreuse@epa.gov if the information on this page needs updating or if this state is updating or planning to update its laws and policies and we have not included that information on the news page.