Florence, South Carolina – After an extensive testing and cleansing of the system, the City of Florence has officially lifted the boil water advisory for several neighborhoods. People who live on Bentree Lane, Willwood Drive, Holly Circle, Lockhaven Drive, Woodland Drive, and in the 2200 to 2400 blocks of West Palmetto Street can now safely drink and cook with their tap water.
This news comes after water supply was cut off for a short time on the night of Monday, July 28, as part of a planned effort to repair the infrastructure. The shutoff, which lasted from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., was necessary to finish connecting a new water main on Holly Circle. This was a crucial aspect of the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s ongoing road-widening project.
After service was restored, the City of Florence Utilities Department did a full flush of the water lines. Bacteriological samples were collected and submitted for analysis to ensure the water met safety standards. The tests showed that there was no pollution, and the water is now safe for everyone to use.
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services required the boil water advisory as a precaution since the water pressure had temporarily dropped. Even though these pressure drops are managed, they can let bacteria in, which is why customers need to boil water before using it. The warning stayed in place until the test results came in.
Read also: Florence’s newest dessert destination set to hire 25–30 as Baskin-Robbins expands in SC
Residents were previously instructed to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. Also, it was not safe to eat ice formed with water that hadn’t been cooked during the advisory time.
City officials have acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the disruption and expressed gratitude to the affected neighborhoods for their patience throughout the process. They additionally advised people that the system is still stabilizing and that little changes in the color of the water and air bubbles may still happen for a short time.
Read also: Volunteers needed in Florence to help deliver lifesaving blood and assist during local emergencies
If residents still have questions or concerns, they should call the City of Florence Utilities Department at 843-665-3236 or the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services at 843-661-4825.
