FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) -UPDATE:The City of Florence sent out a release announcing a repeal of the boil water advisory on Saturday evening:
Following the collection and testing of water samples throughout the city’s water system, as required by the South Carolina Department of Health and Control, the city is now issuing a repeal of the boil water advisory. All samples collected and tested by the city successfully passed the bacteriological analysis. DHEC has been notified by city personnel regarding the results of the collected sample.
Boiling is no longer required prior to drinking or cooking.
ORIGINAL POST:
Despite repairs or bypasses for seven water main breaks, a boil water advisory remains in effect in Florence, the city said Friday night in a press release.
The city was notified of the loss of water pressure around 5 a.m Friday. Due to the system-wide disruption of water services, the city and DHEC advised customers to boil their tap water vigorously for one minute prior to using it for drinking or cooking.
“There has been no contamination of the system. However, because of the loss of pressure, a potential for bacteriological contamination exists. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) requires the City of Florence to issue this advisory when an event occurs that allows the possibility for bacteria to enter the water system,” the press release says.
Like hundreds of others in Florence, Jordan and his brother woke up with little or no water Friday morning.
“Out here working on the car and I can’t even wash my hands the water pressure of so low,” said Jordan. “We couldn’t take a shower either. The water pressure is so low.”
The City of Florence had a two-hour delay for icy roads but called in about 100 workers to find a major water line break early Friday morning.
“Normally it’s pretty easy but if a water and just doesn’t show itself then it can be pretty difficult to find.”
Florence City Manager Drew Griffin believes the water line break is about 30 inches long and impacts people from East Florence all the way to I95.
“It’s the largest mains that the city has,” said Griffin.
The citywide water shortage impacted one of the largest hospitals in the area.
Earlier this morning, six Florence county fire departments were called to pump gallons of water into McLeod Regional Medical center.
“The county departments are set up with tankers and are familiar with hauling water and can respond rapidly to prevent them from having to move over 400 patients and over 35 babies in the NICU alone,” Sam Brockington, Florence County Fire Coordinator.
The city doubled the amount of water being pumped into the city, Griffin estimates it is losing about 9 million gallons of water trying to make sure people have water.
The Jordan brothers say they hope the water pressure improves before the weekend.
“I need a shower,” Johnathan Jordan.
The water system was returning to normal pressure levels on Friday night, the city said.
The city will notify customers regarding the status of the boil water advisory after water tests are completed.