Who issues and regulates water and wastewater discharge and treatment permits?

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) is the correct entity for issuing and regulating water and wastewater discharge and treatment permits within the state of South Carolina. SCDHEC's responsibilities include overseeing environmental health and safety, which encompasses the management of water resources and ensuring compliance with state regulations pertaining to water quality. This agency works to protect public health and the environment by issuing permits that set standards for the discharge of pollutants and treatment of wastewater.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a national body that sets broad regulations and standards for water quality and treatment at the federal level, but it is typically state agencies like SCDHEC that handle the specific permit issuance and on-the-ground regulation within their jurisdictions. Other agencies mentioned, like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), focus on food safety and public health related to food products, and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) centers on worker safety and health regulations, which do not directly pertain to water treatment and permit issuance.