Water Quality
The Town has partnered with the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium and the Carolina Clear program to provide additional educational resources and participation opportunities for our residents.
The Town’s Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) was developed in compliance with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s stormwater permit. The plan identifies six minimum control measures including public education, public involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction and post-construction activities, and municipal activities.
Our operations are designed to target specific audiences, including:
Residential
Commercial Properties
Construction Projects
Healthy Habits For Healthy Waterways
Healthy habits are small measures that everyone can do to protect water quality. Each small measure taken at every property can make a big impact on reducing water pollution. Listed below and throughout our water quality pages are healthy habit tips and information for actions that can be adopted at home or your business!
Yard Care
- Limit or eliminate fertilizer use – always use a soils test and follow application rates- Use organic fertilizers or amend soils with compost
- Use native plants; they require less to no fertilization and less irrigation
- Plant and maintain buffers along waterways
- Install rain barrels to capture rain water for re-use
- Install a rain garden to manage ponding water instead of piping
- Use pervious pavers and surfaces for driveways and pathways
Waste Disposal
- Never pour anything down the storm drain or into a ditch- Use Charleston County’s recycling centers to dispose of hazardous waste and household chemicals or call for a neighborhood collection date with their special waste truck
- Bag your yard debris for collection
- Compost yard debris
- Keep trash and debris out of ditches and drains
- Keep garbage containers and dumpster areas free of debris
Pet Care
- Pick up pet waste every day, especially from your yard- Put pet waste in your garbage can for disposal
Car Washing
- Wash your car at a car wash – their wastes are recycled and go to sewer systems- Wash your car on a grassy area that absorbs the run-off
Municipal Housekeeping
Town employees work every day to help prevent pollution. Many of our daily operations help to reduce and keep pollution out of the storm drainage and our waterways. For instance: - Enforce stormwater construction standards
- Curbside garbage collection
- Use organic turf care products for fields whenever possible
- Provide pet waste pick up stations at Town parks
- Inspections for construction site compliance
- Illegal dumping response
- Using good housekeeping practices at Town properties
- Installing water quality stormwater systems new projects
- Cleaning ditches and storm drains
- Sponsoring local education programs such as the Carolina Clear – Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium
- Offering participation programs for residents to actively help with pollution clean-up and awareness such as:
- Sponsoring a recycling station for oyster shells and used oil at the Town’s maintenance facility at 1135 Sweetgrass Basket Parkway
- Adopt A Highway programs (partnership)
- Providing supplies and locations for small group roadside or creek clean-ups
- Neighborhood storm drain marking projects
- Sponsoring the Carolina Clear Education Program and other projects
WATER QUALITY TIPS!
Please don't feed the storm drain - minimize fertilizer and pesticides use!Spring is almost here along with the quest for yard of the month! Fertilizer and pesticides may be necessary to maintain a healthy yard. Excessive and improperly applied fertilizers can run off of your yard and into the drainage system. This polluted run off can cause health problems for local waterways and estuaries, contribute to excessive algae blooms in ponds, and push excessive nutrients into our wetlands. Here are some best practices to follow to have a Carolina Yard!
1. Always get a soil test before you apply anything. Soil tests can tell you what your yard really needs and how much.
2. Try to use organic and natural products - use compost (make your own or get it from Charleston County cheap!)
3. Only apply what you need - follow label directions.
4. Water in your applications - never apply before a rain storm. The rainfall may be more water than you need to soak in the application.
5. Use native plants in your landscape, they require less nutrients and watering.
When Dooty Calls, Trash It!
Yikes! According to SCDHEC, over 10,000 pounds of dog waste are produced in the Tri-County per day. Dog waste that is not properly disposed of is not only a stinky nuisance, but can be a significant contributor of bacteria and pathogens to our favorite creeks, rivers and beaches. Keep your yard and sidewalk tidy by picking up and properly disposing of pet waste. Your waterways (and shoes) will thank you!Follow the following tips to dispose of Fido's waste and keep our water healthy:
1. Throw it in the trash. Carry a bag with you on doggy walks so your ready to pick up any waste to dispose of in your trash for pickup. Don't compost pet waste and never dispose of down the storm drain.
2. Create or purchase an in-ground waste digester. This acts like a mini septic system, allowing the waste to safely break down without contaminating local waterways. If you pick up after your pet with corn starch biodegradable bags, these can be thrown right into the digester together!
3. Flush it. This is likely not an option for many, but it does take care of the problem. Flushing dog waste ensures that it will be treated at the sewage treatment plant, or treated by your home septic system. If on a septic tank system, make sure the system can handle the additional input and is regularly inspected and properly maintained.
Ripple Effect Newsletter
Ripple Effect Newsletter