FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – A student from South Florence High School told News13 on Tuesday the school had no water or working bathrooms due to the lack of water.
In a short video sent by a student to News13’s Facebook page, water that appears to be discolored can be seen coming from a water fountain.
News13 reached out to the Florence School District One officials for comment.
The district superintendent, Dr. Richard O’Malley, told News13 that he’s aware of the water issues being reported at South Florence High School, but he can’t do anything because of the construction nearby.
O’Malley said student claims about bathrooms not working are false.
According to Florence Utilities Director Michael Hemingway, the schools had been experiencing low water pressure related to a construction project on Alligator Road.
Hemingway said when school is released after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, water meters and backflow units would be changed.
Samples of the water reportedly show the water is currently usable and drinkable, Hemingway also said. At last check, the water pressure was reportedly in the normal range.
On April 17, the City of Florence said in a press release that water lines along Alligator Road would be replaced during work related to the Florence County Project Sales Tax II Alligator Road highway-widening project.
“The utility relocation contractor performing this work intends to relocate the water line along Alligator Road from Hwy. 52/S. Irby Street to South Point Road,” the release said. The work was scheduled to begin on April 18 and end Tuesday.
The City of Florence said in the release that during this work, customers would experience water outages “that may last up to a day for each phase of work.”
DHEC issued a boil water advisory for impacted residents.
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