The Stormwater Management Division promotes stormwater drainage and water quality enhancement in order to improve public safety, enhance public health, and increase public awareness
Anything other than stormwater that goes down a storm drain is considered an illicit discharge. Report by calling 803-929-6000.
Stormwater is any water that falls on the ground when it rains or snows. On natural surfaces that water infiltrates—or soaks—into the ground; but on impervious surfaces like paved roads, roof tops and parking lots it becomes surface runoff. Surface runoff flows into the nearest municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), also known as a storm drainage system, ultimately discharges into the nearest pond or stream. Any pollution on the ground is carried away by the runoff, and because stormwater runoff and the water flowing into storm drains is not treated, the pollution ends up in our local waterways. That polluted water affects the aquatic life and our ability to use the water for recreational and industrial purposes.
Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles. When the untreated storm water is deposited into nearby waterways through municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) discharges, these pollutants can impair the waterways, thereby discouraging recreational use of the water resources, contaminating drinking water supplies, and interfering with the habitat for fish, other aquatic organisms, and wildlife.
Simple Changes to Improve Water Quality
If you see evidence of runoff pollution or pollutants entering our streams and rivers:
- Call the Water Pollution Reporting Line at 803-929-6000 during normal business hours.
- Note the address, time of day, water color, and odor if possible.
- Take a picture if possible.
Improve the quality of your local stream or river by following these tips:
- Direct your home's gutters onto your lawn or into a rain barrel.
- Install a rain garden to filter runoff from your roof and driveway. Water that doesn't make it to the curb can't carry pollutants to lakes and streams.
- Fertilize established lawns with phosphorous-free fertilizer, and don't allow fertilizer into the street.
- Do not blow leaves and grass clippings into storm drain inlets.
- Keep oil, chemicals, and other pollutants from entering storm drain systems as well.
- When washing your vehicle, direct water onto your lawn to soak up soap. For a charity car wash, learn how to properly plan and implement.
- Manage waterfowl in your neighborhood or corporate stormwater pond. Visit the Clemson Cooperative Extension's Water Resources for more information.
Program
The primary objective of the actions and programs carried out by the Stormwater Management Division are dictated by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). The permit is a part of EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program designed to regulate stormwater discharges with the intent to improve local waterways by reducing pollutants that stormwater runoff picks up and carry into stormwater systems during a storm event.
Through the MS4 general permit, Richland County is required to develop a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)(PDF, 5MB) that incorporates best management practices (BMPs) applicable to our MS4. There are ten program components, known as minimum control measures (MCMs), that must be implemented. They are:
- Public Education and Participation
- Illicit Discharges Detection and Improper Disposal
- Construction Site Runoff
- Structural Controls and Stormwater Collection System Operation
- Areas of New Development and Redevelopment
- Existing Roadways
- Flood Control Projects
- Municipal Facilities
- Industrial Runoff
- Application of Pesticide, Herbicide and fertilizers (PHF)
Managing stormwater and enhancing public safety and health not only involves monitoring and inspecting, but it also involves educating citizens on how stormwater affects them and how they affect stormwater. RCSH2O staff participates in a variety of outreach events annually including festivals, career days, homeowner’s meetings, and workshops. Staff members also use inspection and monitoring reports to develop custom outreach efforts for a specific need.
If you’re interested in an education or outreach event with RCSH2O, please contact Education Program Coordinator, Jaymi Godfrey.
Stream Team
Join our Stream Team
Richland County is seeking college students majoring in environmental science and related fields to help its Stormwater Management team assess river and stream health, remove trash, and report on illicit discharges.
Applicants should:
- be comfortable working in water (up to waist high);
- able to work in hot or rainy conditions;
- able to lift up to 50 pounds regularly;
- have good note-taking skills;
- able to work independently or in a group.
Community service hours will be offered. For information, contact Watershed Coordinator, Julianne Warren.
Storm Drain Markers
Drains Aren't Dumps
The name says it all! Storm drains lead to our local waterways and anything other than rain that goes into a storm drain is considered an illicit discharge and could flow into the nearest creek, stream, pond, or lake.
Those waterways eventually flow into the river, which is our drinking water source. Illicit discharges and illegal dumping impair water quality. If you see anything other than rain go into a storm drain, report it to the Ombudsman’s office by calling 803-929-6000.
Richland County and City of Columbia work together to encourage citizens to place storm drain markers on storm drains in their neighborhoods. These markers are a “friendly reminder” to citizens that stormwater drains to the river and only rain should go into storm drains.
Sign up to mark storm drains in your neighborhood!
Visit Drains Aren't Dumps
Trash the Poop
Trash the Poop
Leaving dog waste on the ground can cause more than messy shoes and dirty looks from your neighbors. It also has a negative impact when rain washes it into our waterways and becomes harmful to your health and your pet’s health, too!
Pet waste contains three times more bacteria than human waste. When it rains, residue and bacteria from the waste are washed into our local waterways where it can cause diseases in humans and animals.
Richland County offers free pet waste stations for neighborhoods that enroll in the Trash the Poop program.
Visit Trash the Poop
Contact Engineering Associate, Albert Little
Stormwater Management conducts inspections of county owned and privately maintained detention ponds, storm drainage infrastructure, industrial facilities, Municipal facilities, and respond to complaints of suspected illicit discharges into the County's drainage system. The section works closely with the Roads and Drainage division to investigate complaints of flooding or maintenance needs of the drainage network.
Richland County Stormwater has a variety of programs that involve inspection of facilities and stormwater BMPs. Many of these programs focus on illicit discharges—the discharge of any type of pollutant into a storm drain—or maintaining stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that control the flow of stormwater runoff.
County-Maintained BMPs, Ponds, and Ditches
Richland County owns over 40 ponds and 20 miles of ditches for the purpose of stormwater control. These structural BMPs are designed to minimize the volume and velocity of runoff to prevent damage to the land and homes.
Detention ponds are maintained by cutting back vegetation and ensuring they are functioning properly, while ditches are maintained by cutting back spraying herbicide to reduce vegetation growth. BMPs also allow pollutants to settle into the grounds instead of directly washing into a nearby waterway.
Private Pond Inspection Program (PPIP)
There are over 60 privately owned ponds in the vicinities covered by the Richland County MS4 permit and those ponds are required to comply with County Code of Ordinance that protects the quality of stormwater. The Private Pond Inspection Program inspects each of these ponds annually to determine if they are complying. Property owners of ponds that do not meet the Code receive a Notice of Violation with instructions on actions the owner should take to become compliant.
Pond Maintenance Checklist:
- Grass to be mowed once a month.
- All stormwater system structures including the catch-basins, pond(s), pond outlet structure(s), energy dissipator(s), emergency spillway(s), and outlet pipe(s) to be inspected quarterly and/or after a major storm (2-inches in 24 hours).
- Trees to be removed from within the pond and on the embankment.
- Trash and sediment to be removed from inside of and around the pond outlet structure.
- Orifices to be cleaned and unclogged.
- Outlet pipe to be cleaned, inspected, and repaired.
- Sediment to be removed from pond upon accumulation of 12 inches.
- Pond bottom to be regraded to provide proper drainage towards the outlet discharge point.
- Energy dissipator to be cleaned and repaired.
- Emergency spillway, if applicable, to be inspected and repaired.
- Erosion on side slopes, if present, to be addressed.
Illicit Discharge and Illegal Dumping (IDID) and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
Illicit discharges are any form of pollution that is draining into a storm drain/inlet. Illegal dumping is the disposal of waste in an area that has the potential for stormwater runoff to enter a storm water drainage. These areas may include a portion of a yard, the edge of a stream bank, or an off-road area. The objective of the IDID/IDDE program is to detect any incidences of an illicit discharge, identify the source or cause, and take measures to eliminating the discharge (and source). Illicit discharges and illegal dumping is a violation of Richland County Code of Ordinances and will be investigated by a Code Enforcement Officer.
Be a part of our team and report illicit discharges to our Stormwater Hotline at 803-929-6000.
RCSH2O responds to reports from citizens or SCDHEC by inspecting the claim and contacting the utility or property owner so they can address the issue. If you detect any substance flowing into a storm drain other than stormwater, it is considered an illicit discharge and should be reported by calling 803-929-6000.
Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO)
Sanitary sewer overflows occur when untreated sewage from pipes discharges into the environment and potential becomes stormwater pollution. SSOs can contaminate our waters, causing serious water quality problems, and back-up into homes, causing property damage and threatening public health.
Possible causes of SSOs include:
blockages,
line breaks,
sewer defects that allow stormwater and groundwater to overload the system,
power failures,
improper sewer design, and
vandalism.
RCSH2O responds to reports from citizens or SCDHEC by inspecting the claim and contacting the utility or property owner so they can address the issue.
If you detect any substance flowing into a storm drain other than stormwater, it is considered an illicit discharge and should be reported by calling 803-929-6000.
Pollution Prevention & Good House Keeping (Municipal Facilities)
County-maintained facilities undergo pollution prevention inspections through the Municipal Facilities inspection program. These plans set forth requirements for good housekeeping, prevention, and response to spills for County-maintained facilities as well as identifying structural and non-structural best management practices that can be put in place to reduce erosion and run-off of pollutants and sediment.
Industrial and High-Risk Runoff (IHR)
Discharges from industrial sites may contain pollutants that could affect the quality of streams and rivers nearby. The purpose Richland County’s Industrial and High-Risk Runoff Control program is to reduce pollutant loading and improve the quality of storm water runoff discharging from industrial and high-risk facilities within the county. During the permit cycle we inspect a variety of facilities, including electronics manufacturers, wood treatment plants, and industrial solvent manufacturers.
There are eleven different categories of stormwater discharge(PDF, 79KB) that are associated with industrial activity and require SWPPPs.
Richland County inspects implementation of post-construction SWPPPs in unincorporated County areas.
Pesticide, Herbicide, and Fertilizer (PHF) Control
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 25% of the pollutants found in rivers and streams originate from residential use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. These materials can enter into the storm water system through illegal dumping, run-off from excess lawn irrigation, and heavy rains. As a result, the PHF program is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants related to the storage and application of PHFs applied by County employees or contractors to public rights-of-way, parks, and other public property.
Roadway Runoff Management Program (RRMP)
The Richland County Roadway Runoff Management Program aids in reducing the amount of runoff from paved and unpaved roads, and improving the quality of the stormwater runoff from County owned highways. The program includes BMPs utilized by the County to manage the quantity and control the quality of stormwater runoff from County owned highways as well as standard practices utilized to reduce pollutants in stormwater.
The Land Development Division of the Department of Public Works is responsible for regulating new commercial & residential development in unincorporated Richland County, and some incorporated municipalities per intergovernmental agreements. This Division provides ‘plan review’ and ‘inspections’ services to assure that projects comply with local, state and federal regulations. Other responsibilities of the Division includes overseeing the construction bond process for the County. The Division tracks and in possession of $1,000,000-3,0000,000 in bonds in an annual construction cycle.
This Division implements the construction and post-construction components of the NPDES permit. The Land Development Division is committed to protecting, maintaining and enhancing the environment through responsible stewardship and creative site planning of the natural and economic resources that make up our unique community. We also operate in the best interest of the business community encouraging smart development throughout Richland County and assisting stakeholders in permitting new projects.
The Land Development Division of the Department of Public Works operates under the direction of the County Engineer and is part of a Development Services Department located at 400 Powell Road Columbia, SC 29202. The Development Services Department (“One Stop Shop”) is comprised of Engineering, Floodplain Management, Planning & Zoning, Building Services and Fire Marshal representatives, and is located on the same floor as the Business License Department.
The monitoring section is responsible for taking samples along county waterways. The Stormwater Management Division's water quality monitoring plan focuses on samples along impaired waterways, waters with a Total Maximum Daily Load, and sensitive waters within the County.
Water quality includes maintaining the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of water. Our monitoring programs use a comprehensive approach to identify local pollutants, monitor their levels, and use the data to target the development of Education and Public Involvement programs. By monitoring the stormwater we are able to learn which pollutants are contributing to the impairment of local waterbodies and how we can help keep stormwater clean.
As of 2020, the top five water quality issues of concern observed in our monitoring data are:
- E. Coli
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Total Phosphorus
- Lead
- Copper
Learn more about these pollutants and their sources in the Richland County Stormwater Monitoring: Pollutants, Sources, and Solutions(PDF, 339KB) report.
Wet Weather Monitoring
Wet weather samples of stormwater are collected within 12 hours of a rain event and can tell us what pollutants are being washed into waterbodies when it rains. Currently, there are 13 wet weather monitoring stations and samples are tested for 14 different pollutants.
In-Stream Water Quality Monitoring
In-stream water quality samples are a method for determining relatively constant pollutant levels in a waterbody. Samples are collected quarterly from 23 locations from a variety of sites, including impaired waterways. We are currently testing for 18 pollutants and 2 physical parameters.
Sediment Monitoring
Instead of remaining suspended in the water column or being dissolved, some pollutants settle into the substrate—or the sediment at the bottom of a waterbody. Sediment samples are collected annually from 25 waterbodies to monitor pollutants at the bottom of waterbodies. The program currently tests for 9 pollutants and 2 physical parameters.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Benthic macroinvertebrates are organisms that live at the bottom of waterbodies and in the riparian vegetation. Many of these organisms are very sensitive to pollution and monitoring this aspect of the water can give us an indication of the aquatic environment's biological health. Macroinvertebrate monitoring includes biodiversity (how many different species) and species richness (how many of each species).
The Stormwater Management Division oversees a variety of capital improvement projects on the county's drainage network. Richland County has undertaken several large projects intended to improve and preserve water quality throughout the county. Many of these projects originate from a watershed management plan that identifies pollutants of concern and actions to address those pollutants.
Stormwater Management has facilitated in the creation and implementation of watershed improvement plans for the following areas:
- Crane Creek Watershed
- Gills Creek Watershed
- Hollingshed Creek Watershed
- Nicholas Creek Watershed
Should you have any questions, please contact Adika Cross, Stormwater Engineering Associate, at 803-576-2489 or email cross.adika@richlandcountysc.gov.
Knollwood and Planters Drive Drainage Improvements Project
The Stormwater Management Division solicited a study in 2016 to identify the cause and solutions to the flooding of to homes along the drainage channel between Knollwood Drive and Planters Drive. The study recommended property acquisition to remove homes from the floodplain as the best option to mitigate flooding. Using Hazard Mitigation Block Grant (HMGP) funds, the Stormwater Management Division acquired and demolished nine homes along the drainage channel.
To follow up the demolition, the Stormwater Management Division solicited proposals to stabilize and repair the drainage channel while restoring as much of the floodplain as possible to further mitigate downstream flooding. The project area extends between Knollwood and Planters Drive. The goal for the project is to reduce flooding in the existing channel during routine storm events and meet the 10-year level of service.
Danbury Basin Area Improvements Project
This project consists of the design and installation of measures to improve drainage and flooding issues in the Danbury Drive drainage basin. The project area extends from the North 21 Terrace development above Mason Road down to the regional detention pond on the Full Gospel Word & Worship church property at 6015 N. Main Street. Design for drainage projects include pond improvements, pipe replacements, pipe rehabilitation, and channel rehabilitation.