A Charleston County Circuit Court judge heard from a pair of environmental organizations who are asking to prevent the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control from issuing certain septic permits.

The South Carolina Environmental Law Project filed the lawsuit on behalf of Charleston Waterkeeper and the Coastal Conservation League against DHEC last November, but last Friday was the first time a judge heard arguments from both sides.

The lawsuit addresses multiple issues surrounding septic tanks, including asking the Charleston County Circuit Court to rule that DHEC has an obligation to review all septic tank applications in the coastal zone.

“The state of South Carolina needs to do a better job of permitting these tanks in the coastal zone, because of the unique nature of our coastal zone resources, and the fact that our soils here, drain very quickly, they flood frequently, and groundwater tables are very high,” Charleston Waterkeeper Executive Director Andrew Wunderley says.