The objective of the South Carolina Rural Water and Sewer Act is to assure that the financing available for rural area facilities is fully utilized by communities, authorities or districts in accordance with State guidelines and sound local priorities. Consistent with this objective the act shall consist of but not be limited to the following criteria:

(1) The advisory committee will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the Federal and State agencies and for working with State, regional and local planning agencies to develop the necessary area plans and priority listings. To the extent feasible, the State coordination program will be utilized to foster consolidated approaches to the delivery of water and waste disposal services and other common policies among existing agencies that will lead to improved and expanded service. State government funds will be applied when necessary to assist projects not eligible for supplementary assistance from other sources.

(2) The Department of Health and Environmental Control may, upon approval of the advisory committee, by a memorandum of understanding entered into with other funding agencies, designate one of such agencies, including itself, to administer or supervise any portion of a project funded under this act.