The Department of Health and Environmental Control is reporting boil water advisories for many areas in South Carolina. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 10, 16 boil water advisories or notices have been reported to DHEC.

The DHEC website says boil water notices are in effect for the following areas in the News13 viewing area:

  • Trico Water Co. in Dillon- system wide
  • Georgetown County Water and Sewer District/ Red Hill- system wide
  • Town of Kingstree- system wide
  • Town of Andrews- system wide

UPDATE: The City of Florence released Monday afternoon that they are NOT on a boil water advisory. Customers may see rust-colored water as a result of water being re-rerouted after water main breaks but the water color does not indicate the water is unsafe to drink.

Officials in the City of Georgetown also say that the water is safe to drink.

When the water supply may have been biologically contaminated a Boil Water Advisory will be issued. If it is confirmed that the water supply has been biologically contaminated, a Drinking Water Warning(sometimes called a Boil Water Notice) will be issued.

If a boil water advisory is issued for your area, it means that the water supply in your area may be contaminated, either by a sewage overflow, a water line break, a chemical spill, a natural disaster such as a hurricane or flood, or some other unusual event.

Officials say residents should bring water to a rolling boil and keep it there for at least 1 full minute to ensure the water is safe before drinking or cooking.For more information, and a complete list of all South Carolina water advisories you can visit the DHEC website here.