Florence is the regional hub of the Pee Dee region — a broad, flat agricultural plain in northeastern South Carolina named for the Great Pee Dee River. Known as the Crossroads of the Carolinas for its position at the intersection of I-95 and I-20, Florence serves a multi-county agricultural and rural region with healthcare, retail, and education (Francis Marion University). The Pee Dee region is one of South Carolina's most rural areas, with tobacco and cotton farming giving way to soybeans and a growing industrial sector including several auto parts manufacturers. The rural residential character of Florence County outside the city creates extensive septic use — the county's townships (Elim, Pamplico, Johnsonville, Lake City, Timmonsville) rely almost entirely on septic systems for wastewater treatment. Hurricane Florence's September 2018 flooding was a watershed event for the region: the Great Pee Dee River reached record levels, and widespread flooding overwhelmed septic systems across the county. The recovery brought new attention to the condition and adequacy of Florence County's aging septic infrastructure, much of which dates to the 1970s–1990s rural residential buildout era.
Soil Conditions
Florence County soils are dominated by Goldsboro sandy loam, Norfolk sandy loam, and Lynchburg sandy loam — Ultisols (Hapludults and Paleudults) formed in loamy Coastal Plain sediments of the Upper Coastal Plain. The Goldsboro series is a moderately well-drained Aquic Paleudult with a sandy loam surface transitioning to a sandy clay loam Bt horizon at 8–20 inches — percolation rates of 0.5–1.5 inches per hour, suitable for conventional systems. Norfolk sandy loam on well-drained uplands has a friable sandy clay loam Bt with moderate permeability. Lynchburg soils in the interstream flats are poorly drained with seasonal high water tables at 12–24 inches. The Great Pee Dee River floodplain adds Chastain and Altavista soils.
Florence County's Upper Coastal Plain soils represent a classic Coastal Plain catena (soil sequence): well-drained Norfolk sandy loam on broad upland ridges, moderately well-drained Goldsboro sandy loam on upper side slopes, and poorly drained Lynchburg sandy loam in the interstream flats and broad drainage ways. The Norfolk-Goldsboro transition is the sweet spot for septic installation: adequate drainage, moderate permeability in the sandy clay loam Bt horizon (0.5–1.5 inches per hour), and 3–6 foot water tables on ridge positions. The Lynchburg series, which occupies broad flat areas between ridges — often 40–60% of a typical farm property — has seasonal water tables at 12–24 inches and requires careful drainfield siting on the highest available landscape position. Post-Hurricane Florence flooding deposited sediment in drainfield areas on some low-lying properties, potentially reducing long-term absorption capacity.
Water Table: Florence County's Upper Coastal Plain setting provides generally good drainage on upland positions: Norfolk and Goldsboro series maintain water tables at 3–6 feet. Poorly drained interstream flats (Lynchburg and Rains soils) have seasonal high water tables at 12–24 inches. DHEC requires adequate seasonal high water table separation demonstrated by a Licensed Soil Classifier.
Local Regulations
SC DHEC enforces R.61-56 across Florence County. Standard OSTDS rules apply: site evaluation, soil analysis, permit, Licensed Soil Classifier required for complex sites, and DHEC inspection before system use. The Great Pee Dee River's status as a significant surface water resource means properties within the 100-year floodplain face additional review for new OSTDS installations — FEMA floodplain maps and DHEC review work in tandem for flood-prone areas. Post-Hurricane Florence (2018), DHEC conducted outreach about damaged system repair requirements. Properties in the Lynchburg poorly drained soil positions are most challenging and require careful evaluation.
SC DHEC Bureau of Environmental Health Services issues OSTDS permits for Florence County under R.61-56. Licensed Soil Classifier required for site evaluation on complex sites. Permit fee: $125–$200. Florence city sewer serves the urban core; suburban and rural Florence County (Lake City, Johnsonville, Timmonsville, Coward, and the county's rural townships) relies heavily on septic. The Pee Dee region has significant tobacco and agriculture land use; rural residential development on farm parcels drives ongoing septic permit activity.