In Summary

The Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium (CWSEC) provides stormwater outreach and public involvement programs for small municipal separate storm sewer systems (SMS4s) in the Waccamaw River Basin and coastal watersheds along South Carolina’s northern coast in order to maintain compliance with requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II of the Clean Water Act. The member municipalities are the City of Conway, the City of Myrtle Beach, the City of North Myrtle Beach, Georgetown County, Horry County, the Town of Atlantic Beach, the Town of Briarcliffe Acres and the Town of Surfside Beach. Through the past program year (Year 6, 2010-2011), the CWSEC successfully planned and delivered stormwater outreach and public involvement activities that addressed the target pollutants, audiences and behaviors that contribute to local water quality impairments.

As South Carolina prepares for the second permit cycle of the Phase II stormwater general permit, the CWSEC is strategically preparing to make the changes necessary to maintain the high level of compliance that it has achieved through the first five-year permit cycle. As a result, the CWSEC continues its primary goal to develop and implement effective, outcome-based stormwater education and outreach programs that will meet NPDES federal requirements and satisfy the environmental and economic needs of the coastal Waccamaw region.

The following sections, Public Education & Outreach and Public Involvement, detail the activities completed by the CWSEC’s primary education providers in program Year 6 (May 2010 – April 2011). The stormwater awareness and water resource protection programs outlined, relate to compliance under Minimum Control Measure 1 (public education and outreach) and Minimum Control Measure 2 (public participation and involvement) of the NPDES Phase II program. It is a core objective of the CWSEC educators to help the member municipalities meet federal requirements under the Clean Water Act to teach citizens about stormwater pollution and involve the public in water resources protection.

More information on Year 6 activities and past annual activities can be found on the annual reports page.