SCDHEC: Regulation 61-56 Test
Questions and All Actual Answers
2026 Updated.
Alternative System - Answer A system incorporating design modifications of the proposed
subsurface wastewater infiltration trench area (drain field) or absorption trench geometry for
the purpose of achieving compliance with required setbacks and offset to the zone of saturation
and/or restrictive horizons. No such system shall be utilized unless the Department has
established a specific standard.
Alternative Infiltration Trench Products - Answer Products specifically designed to replace or
eliminate the aggregate typically utilized in subsurface infiltration trenches. Such products must
be approved for use by the Department and must adhere to required equivalency values
established herein.
Bond - Answer A sum of money set aside (Surety Bond) to insure completion of work under a
contract.
Canal - Answer An artificial waterway used for navigation, drainage, or irrigation.
Cleaning - Answer The removal and transportation of septage from an onsite wastewater
system, self-contained toilet, or other sewage holding system to an approved disposal location.
Color Charts (Munsell System or equivalent) - Answer Charts bearing various color chips
established by a recognized color system which uses three elements—hue, value, and chroma—
to make up a specific color notation. The notation is recorded in the form of hue, value, and
chroma (e.g., 10YR 5/6). The three attributes of color are arranged in the system in orderly
scales of equal visual steps, which are used to measure and describe color accurately under
standard conditions of illumination by comparing soil samples to color chips on various charts.
Conventional System - Answer An onsite wastewater system that utilizes a network of
conventional wastewater infiltration trenches installed in the naturally occurring soil for the
treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater.
Critical Area - S. C. Code Section 48-39-10(J) defines critical area as the following - Answer 1)
coastal waters; 2) tidelands; 3) beaches; 4) beach/dune systems which are the areas from the
mean high-water mark to the setback line as determined in S. C. Code Section 48-39-280.
Curtain Drain - Answer A subsurface interceptor drain that is installed to collect and redirect
groundwater as it flows through the soil profile to an appropriate discharge point.
, Ditch - Answer A long narrow excavation intended for the purpose of drainage and/or
irrigation.
Domestic Wastewater - Answer The untreated liquid and solid human body waste and the
liquids generated by water-using fixtures and appliances, including those associated with food
service operations. For the purposes of this regulation, domestic wastewater shall not include
industrial process wastewater.
Dwelling - Answer A self-contained unit used by one (1) or more households as a home, such
as a house, apartment, mobile home, house boat, tiny house, park model RV, RV or camper, or
other substantial structure that provides living facilities for one (1) or more persons, including
permanent or semi-permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
Effluent - Answer The liquid discharged from a septic tank, effluent pump station, or other
sewage treatment device.
Embankment - Answer A bank of soil with at least two (2) feet of vertical height from top to
bottom.
Environmentally Sensitive Waters - Answer Outstanding resource waters (ORW), Shellfish
Harvesting Waters (SFH), and Trout-Natural Waters (TN) as defined in R.61-68 and classified in
R.61-69, and including lakes greater than forty (40) acres in size and the Atlantic Ocean,
regardless of their classifications in R.61-69.
Existing System - Answer An onsite wastewater system, which has received final construction
approval or has been serving a legally occupied dwelling or structure.
Expansive Soils - Answer Soils containing significant amounts of expansible-layer clay
minerals (smectites) as evidenced in the field by classifications of "Very Sticky," "Very Plastic"
and where "Slickensides" are present when evaluated in accordance with the Field Book. Such
soil horizons are considered to be restrictive for onsite wastewater systems
Failing Onsite Wastewater System - Answer An onsite wastewater system that is discharging
effluent in an improper manner or has ceased to function properly
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic - Answer A fibrous glass and plastic mixture that exhibits a high
strength to weight ratio and is highly resistant to corrosion.
Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils (Field Book) - Answer A field guide published by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for
making or reading soil descriptions and for sampling soils, as presently practiced in the USA.
Questions and All Actual Answers
2026 Updated.
Alternative System - Answer A system incorporating design modifications of the proposed
subsurface wastewater infiltration trench area (drain field) or absorption trench geometry for
the purpose of achieving compliance with required setbacks and offset to the zone of saturation
and/or restrictive horizons. No such system shall be utilized unless the Department has
established a specific standard.
Alternative Infiltration Trench Products - Answer Products specifically designed to replace or
eliminate the aggregate typically utilized in subsurface infiltration trenches. Such products must
be approved for use by the Department and must adhere to required equivalency values
established herein.
Bond - Answer A sum of money set aside (Surety Bond) to insure completion of work under a
contract.
Canal - Answer An artificial waterway used for navigation, drainage, or irrigation.
Cleaning - Answer The removal and transportation of septage from an onsite wastewater
system, self-contained toilet, or other sewage holding system to an approved disposal location.
Color Charts (Munsell System or equivalent) - Answer Charts bearing various color chips
established by a recognized color system which uses three elements—hue, value, and chroma—
to make up a specific color notation. The notation is recorded in the form of hue, value, and
chroma (e.g., 10YR 5/6). The three attributes of color are arranged in the system in orderly
scales of equal visual steps, which are used to measure and describe color accurately under
standard conditions of illumination by comparing soil samples to color chips on various charts.
Conventional System - Answer An onsite wastewater system that utilizes a network of
conventional wastewater infiltration trenches installed in the naturally occurring soil for the
treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater.
Critical Area - S. C. Code Section 48-39-10(J) defines critical area as the following - Answer 1)
coastal waters; 2) tidelands; 3) beaches; 4) beach/dune systems which are the areas from the
mean high-water mark to the setback line as determined in S. C. Code Section 48-39-280.
Curtain Drain - Answer A subsurface interceptor drain that is installed to collect and redirect
groundwater as it flows through the soil profile to an appropriate discharge point.
, Ditch - Answer A long narrow excavation intended for the purpose of drainage and/or
irrigation.
Domestic Wastewater - Answer The untreated liquid and solid human body waste and the
liquids generated by water-using fixtures and appliances, including those associated with food
service operations. For the purposes of this regulation, domestic wastewater shall not include
industrial process wastewater.
Dwelling - Answer A self-contained unit used by one (1) or more households as a home, such
as a house, apartment, mobile home, house boat, tiny house, park model RV, RV or camper, or
other substantial structure that provides living facilities for one (1) or more persons, including
permanent or semi-permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
Effluent - Answer The liquid discharged from a septic tank, effluent pump station, or other
sewage treatment device.
Embankment - Answer A bank of soil with at least two (2) feet of vertical height from top to
bottom.
Environmentally Sensitive Waters - Answer Outstanding resource waters (ORW), Shellfish
Harvesting Waters (SFH), and Trout-Natural Waters (TN) as defined in R.61-68 and classified in
R.61-69, and including lakes greater than forty (40) acres in size and the Atlantic Ocean,
regardless of their classifications in R.61-69.
Existing System - Answer An onsite wastewater system, which has received final construction
approval or has been serving a legally occupied dwelling or structure.
Expansive Soils - Answer Soils containing significant amounts of expansible-layer clay
minerals (smectites) as evidenced in the field by classifications of "Very Sticky," "Very Plastic"
and where "Slickensides" are present when evaluated in accordance with the Field Book. Such
soil horizons are considered to be restrictive for onsite wastewater systems
Failing Onsite Wastewater System - Answer An onsite wastewater system that is discharging
effluent in an improper manner or has ceased to function properly
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic - Answer A fibrous glass and plastic mixture that exhibits a high
strength to weight ratio and is highly resistant to corrosion.
Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils (Field Book) - Answer A field guide published by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for
making or reading soil descriptions and for sampling soils, as presently practiced in the USA.
