South Carolina CWSRF Priority Ranking System

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is the designated state agency to apply for and administer the capitalization grant for South Carolina’s CWSRF. The South Carolina Budget and Control Board (BCB) Office of Local Governments conducts financial functions of the CWSRF, establishes financial policies and executes loans to project sponsors. DHEC and the BCB distribute funds through low-interest loans and principal forgiveness loans. The following priority ranking system shares the first question that DHEC will ask: “how will the project help enhance water quality?” followed by everything else you’ll need to know about the SCCWSRF. EPA has identified seven priority watersheds in South Carolina. Both EPA and DHEC will prioritize the use of discretionary resources in these areas: Saluda, Middle Savannah, Black Creek, Sewee-Santee, May River, Okatie River, and Lower Edisto. The Priority Ranking Criteria is split into sections that show the state’s and nation’s priorities (Will the project address a water quality impairment of a waterbody that is identified on the current 303(d) list?)