Boil water advisory lifted Sunday afternoon for Palmetto Bluff residents, officials say
After four days of boiling water, Palmetto Bluff residents were given the all-clear that their water is safe for consumption Sunday afternoon, according to a press release from the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority.
The news comes after the latest water samples were tested and found to be free from bacteria. Residents are still urged to flush their water systems by running sink and bathtub faucets for 10 minutes or until the water is clear, the release said. Palmetto Bluff residents are being notified by calls and emails directly from BJWSA, said Pamela Flasch, the company’s director of public affairs.
The advisory, which suggested residents boil water for brushing their teeth, cooking and drinking, was issued as a precaution after a corroded 18-inch pipe near a bridge on Old Palmetto Road burst Thursday morning. BJWSA issued the advisory because after water main breaks, low pressure may allow bacteria to trickle into pipes, or pipes may suck contaminants back into the public water system.
“There was never a problem, as it turns out,” Flasch said. “There were several samples taken. The water is fine.”
The burst pipe caused the water to be shut off and restaurants to close early Friday, according to previous reporting by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. The neighborhood’s main gate was closed while crews from J.H. Hiers Construction worked to fix the issue.
Residents were instructed to use the construction entrance while repairs were made. A Palmetto Bluff employee declined to comment on whether residents were able to use the main entrance Sunday and a representative for the community could not immediately be reached for comment.
If residents run their water for 10 minutes and see that it is not running clear, they may call BJWSA Customer Service at 843-987-9200.
This story was originally published January 30, 2022 at 2:31 PM.
