Environmental groups are celebrating a legal victory that makes the process of installing large-scale septic systems in subdivisions more transparent — and holds developers accountable.

The lawsuit was filed by the South Carolina Environmental Law Project in 2023 on behalf of the Coastal Conservation League and Charleston Waterkeeper. It asked that the Department of Environmental Services apply the state's Coastal Management Plan to consider the cumulative impact of large-scale septic systems in the eight counties covered by the plan. The suit also asked DES to require public notice of plans to install large-scale septic systems.

Circuit Court Judge Frank R. Addy Jr. issued a preliminary ruling last month partially in favor of these requests. He will issue a final order after reviewing proposed orders drafted by SCELP and the state.