S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-50.C

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 61-50.C - APPLICATION FOR INITIAL OPERATING CERTIFICATE:

1. Applicability. This section is applicable to all new construction of a natural swimming area.

2. Initial Operating Certificate. No newly constructed facility may begin operation without receiving an initial operating certificate issued by the Department. Application for the certificate must be made utilizing a form supplied by the Department. Application will include submittal of a facility site map.

a. An initial operating certificate may be issued by the Department if all requirements listed in paragraphs three (3) through seven (7) below have been met and are deemed satisfactory.

b. If sample results show a bacteriological level that exceeds the set standard, a certificate may be issued only if additional facility sampling and lab analysis indicates that the water quality meets requirements as listed in paragraph seven (7) below.

3. Swimming Area Delineation. All Natural Swimming Areas shall be required to define the perimeter of the swimming area by rope and buoy, natural barrier or other distinguishable method.

4. Restroom Facilities. Functional restrooms must be provided within two-hundred (200) feet of the swimming area. Restroom facilities must be built in accordance with the local building codes.

5. Signs. Facilities that do not utilize lifeguard protection during operating hours are required to post a sign(s) at entrances to the swimming area. The sign(s) must state as a minimum that "No lifeguards are on duty at this swimming area."

6. Sanitary Survey. The Department shall conduct a sanitary survey to evaluate potential sources of pollution. The survey may include the collection of bacteriological samples. Pollution sources may include, but are not limited to:

a. Discharges from sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations, storm drain outfalls, municipal waste and failing on-site sewage disposal systems

b. Natural storm water discharges

c. Industrial, municipal, and commercial site discharges

d. Agricultural runoff

e. Discharges at marinas

f. Concentrated domestic or wild animal populations

g. Runoff from nearby landfills

h. Urban runoff

i. Other nonpoint source runoff

7.Initial Monitoring. The facility owner or his/her designated agent shall conduct initial bacteriological sampling of the swimming area. All samples collected must be analyzed by a certified laboratory in accordance with an EPA approved methodology resulting in the enumeration of E. coli bacteria using most probable number (MPN) methodology. Samples shall be collected in a location representative of the swimming area and a minimum of one (1) of the samples shall be collected following a rainfall event. Based on a statistically sufficient number of samples (generally not less than five (5) samples equally spaced over a 30-day period), the geometric mean of the indicated bacterial densities shall not exceed the following:

E. coli sample: 126 MPN per 100 ml;

nor shall more than 10% of the total samples exceed 349 MPN per 100 ml.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-50.C

Amended by State Register Volume 40, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/27/2016.