Tropical Storm Debby to blame for Beaufort, Jasper customers’ discolored water. Here’s why
About two weeks have passed since Debby stormed through the Lowcountry, but local water treatment plants are still dealing with the system’s effects that have left some customers with discolored water, according to the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority.
The discoloration does not affect the authority’s disinfection process, meaning the water is safe for use, said Jeff La Rue, BJWSA’s chief communications officer. Water color is measured on a scale of zero to 500. La Rue said BJWSA can reduce raw water’s color by 90% and, when treated, it ranks between one and five. Customers begin to notice discoloration at 10.
Because of Tropical Storm Debby’s days of downpours, floodwaters are receding from upstream forests and wetlands, leading to a significant increase in levels of organic material and dissolved minerals in the Savannah River, which is the primary water source of the authority.
On Saturday, when the authority measured the canal’s water color, it was 240. BJWSA was able to bring that number down to 35. Most recently, the utility treated the water color down to 17.
La Rue said in some areas of the canal, tannins have stained the water a color similar to black coffee. While there’s been some improvement in the raw water’s color, La Rue said ultimately Mother Nature is in control of what comes downstream.
BJWSA adjusted its treatment process and increased the amount of water pulled from other sources, including wells and the Purrysburg reservoir, to dilute the Savannah River water.
Because the issue isn’t localized, flushing water mains and in-home plumbing is unlikely to make the water run clear, La Rue said. While discoloration persists, it can affect laundry, possibly causing staining of fabrics.
This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 12:52 PM.
