Florence, South Carolina Faces Water Issues, Advisory Lifted
Florence, S.C. has been facing some challenges with its water system lately, but there’s good news for residents! Over the past few days, city officials reported system-wide issues that had many people concerned. On Friday and Saturday, those problems were a bit more serious than usual, stemming from the effects of Tropical Storm Debby. Flooding upstream near the Pee Dee River caused the city’s raw water intake to experience some difficulties.
Challenges from the Storm
According to city officials, the flooding resulted in higher levels of organic material in the water flowing into the city’s surface water treatment plant. This situation made it hard for the plant to treat the water effectively, so they had to make the tough decision to shut down operations temporarily.
The decision to close the plant was necessary to ensure that they could allow the polluted water to pass by the intake without further complicating things. It’s a hard thing to think about, but the primary goal was to keep the water safe for everyone in Florence. Staff at the plant have been working tirelessly to drain the facility, and they are planning to begin treating water again once everything is back to normal.
Water Pressure Woes
During this time, residents experienced low to even no water pressure, and some folks noticed a bit of discoloration in their water. However, the city was optimistic that the water treatment plant would be back up and running by Friday afternoon. As the local officials worked to restore normal water pressure, they announced that there would be a system-wide boil water advisory issued as a precaution.
What to Do During the Advisory
Even though the city officials assured the public that there has been no confirmed contamination of the water system, the drop in water pressure posed a slight risk for possible bacteriological contamination. So, to keep everyone safe, they advised that all water customers should boil their water vigorously for at least one full minute before drinking or cooking. And it’s best to avoid using ice made from unboiled water during this period.
If you have any questions or need more information, residents have been encouraged to reach out directly to the City of Florence at (843) 665-3236, or contact the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services at (843) 661-4825. It’s great to see the city being proactive in maintaining communication and transparency with its residents during this time.
Heading Towards Normal
With the boil water advisory being lifted, it’s a big relief for the Florence community. It can’t be overstated how important it is to have safe drinking water, not just for your health, but also for peace of mind. Florence officials have assured the public they’re working hard to prevent these types of issues from recurring and are committed to providing clean, potable water.
So, folks in Florence, keep your spirits up! You can expect updates from the city as they continue to monitor the water quality and operational stability. Together, we can navigate through these challenges, staying informed and prepared while we cheer on our dedicated local officials.
As always, let’s keep an eye on the situation and thank our city staff for their hard work. Remember, stay safe and be sure to follow the guidelines provided until further notice!
