Bluffton, Hardeeville residents may experience discolored water. Here’s why, what to do
Residents in the Bluffton and Hardeeville areas may have noticed discolored water at their taps this week as Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority conducted routine hydrant flow testing across the area.
Here’s why these tests were conducted and what residents should know about BJWSA operations through the end of 2025:
What is hydrant flow testing?
From Monday, Dec. 8, through Friday, Dec. 12, BJWSA conducted hydrant flow tests between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Testing ensures that hydrants are capable of providing adequate water flow and pressure during emergencies. Inspections take around 10 minutes per hydrant and are conducted annually.
According to BJWSA Chief Communications Officer, Jeff La Rue, the increased flow through hydrants can stir up naturally occurring mineral deposits in the water lines. That movement may temporarily discolor tap water for some customers.
Residents in areas including Hampton Lake, Sun City, Lawton Station and May River Preserve are among potentially affected locations.
A full list of streets involved in this testing included:
Testing follows a recent water line break
This series of hydrant tests comes on the heels of a water line break on Buck Island Road earlier in the week.
La Rue said that this disruption was caused when a contractor struck the line, leading to the break, which was repaired around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Some residents in the area noted they experienced water issues following the incident, but those should now be resolved.
A bit of good news: New water tower is coming online
Even with the headache residents south of the Broad River may face with water discoloration, BJWSA says help is on the way.
After the holidays, the new 1.5-million-gallon water tower at Bluffton Parkway and Buckwalter is scheduled to be brought online.
La Rue said that the system will be ready to connect around Christmas, adding more supply stability and new water service in the surrounding communities by New Year’s.
This new tank is designed to support 11,500 customer connections in the Bluffton area.
What to do if you see discolored water
If tap water appears yellow, brown or cloudy following the testing period, or at any time, BJWSA recommends the following steps:
- Run your cold water faucet closest to where the water line enters your home.
- Let it run for 5–10 minutes. In most cases, it should clear on its own.
La Rue said that if you experience discolored water, do not run hot water to flush discoloration. Hot water can pull minerals into your water heater, making the issue last longer.
If your water does not clear after 10 minutes, contact BJWSA at 843-987-9200 or email info@bjwsa.org.
For residents living in apartments or those who do not pay a direct water bill, it’s still recommended to alert BJWSA if discoloration continues after flushing cold water.
For more information on this testing or how to resolve water discoloration issues, click here.
