The goal for storm water management is to ensure that human activities have minimal or no adverse impact on the environment. The University of South Carolina is committed to following storm water regulations, not just on a project by project basis, but in a long-term and comprehensive manner. Storm water runoff often carries pollutants which reach the waterways through a variety of means.

In order to control the type and quantity of pollutants reaching streams and lakes, the federal government has implemented the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for storm water runoff from our Municipal Separate Storm Water Sewer System (MS4).

The City of Columbia has also been issued a permit under the NPDES for discharged storm water runoff for MS4s. As a part of the City of Columbia, the university is also responsible for the MS4s that we own, operate, and maintain within the City limits.

Learn more about City of Columbia storm water regulations and permit requirements.