The 1977 Federal Water Pollution Control Act established a comprehensive federal-state-local framework to prevent, reduce and eliminate water pollution.  Section 208 of the legislation, now known as the Clean Water Act, gave states the authority to appoint area wide planning agencies for water quality.  The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments and four other COGs were designated to manage the needs of 20 mostly urban counties.  The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control was place in direct charge of the remaining 26 counties.  (Recently, DHEC has contracted with the Catawba Regional Planning Council to provide planning information for it's four fast-growing counties south of Charlotte, as well.)

The BCDCOG's role is to help carry out the goals of the Clean Water Act and integrate federal, state, and local interest.  This integration is achieved through the preparation of the 208 Water Quality Management Plan and the review of all permit applications concerning wastewater treatment.  Industries, developers and local governments must submit facilities plans and preliminary engineering information to the COG before altering discharges or installing sewer lines.  The COG's approval must be attained before DHEC will permit a project.  To be permitted, projects must meet state and federal guidelines and be in conformance with the Regional Water Quality Management Plan.

• 208 Water Quality Management Plan

• Introduction to Volume II of the 208 Plan

• 208 Water Quality Amendments

• 208 Service Area Map  

• 208 Certification form for Septic

• 208 Certification form for Sewer 

• FAQ's of the 208 Water Quality Certification Process for Sewer Permits

• FAQ's of the 208 Water Quality Certification Process for Septic Permits