Habersham residents asked to continue boiling drinking water

Residents of the Habersham community are being asked by Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority officials to continue boiling their water for drinking, cooking or dish washing until at least Saturday.

The boil advisory was issued after water main failure Thursday.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control “requires that water utilities issue a boil water advisory as a precautionary measure when such an event occurs that allows the possibility for bacteria to enter the public water system,” according to the BJWSA notice.

A water main failure “may include a loss of water pressure, which could allow bacteria in soil and groundwater to enter water pipes through cracks or leaks,” the advisory said.

The water is safe for bathing and doing laundry.

BJWSA will retrieve samples of the drinking water to ensure that no harmful bacteria are present. Results were expected Friday afternoon, but have been delayed until Saturday at the earliest.

The precautionary advisory will be lifted when the water is confirmed safe, and residents of the area will be notified by the utility.

Information can also be found at www.bjwsa.org, including a map of all areas addresses affected by this advisory.

For more information, including a map of all areas addresses affected by this advisory, visit www.bjwsa.org.

Residents can contact the utility at 843-987-9200.

This story was originally published July 14, 2017 at 8:24 AM with the headline "Habersham residents asked to continue boiling drinking water."