Okatie, SC – (June 6, 2023) – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is issuing a water use reduction request for their 65,000 customers in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Customers are asked to postpone landscape irrigation until at least Thursday, June 8. The availability of treated water is limited in the system because of an electrical failure at one of the Authority’s two water treatment plants.
“An electrical system failure has limited our ability to treat water,” said Chief of Plant Operations Brian Chemsak. “As a result, we are asking people to suspend watering their lawns during this time.”
Due to the situation, there is an increased likelihood that waterflow changes in the system could lead to the appearance of discolored water. If customers notice discolored water, BJWSA recommends letting the cold water run for a few minutes. The discoloration should clear within a few minutes. While discoloration, caused by mineral deposits inside of pipes, pose no known health or safety risks, it can stain laundry.
Even once the current situation is resolved, customers are asked to follow BJWSA’s Irrigation Management Plan. The plan involves adjusting irrigation timers to water only three days per week, on a rotating schedule. Customers with odd-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Those with even-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No irrigation should occur on Mondays or any day between the hours of 3 AM and 9 AM when water usage traditionally is at its highest.
For more information, go to www.bjwsa.org/water-use or call 843-987-9200.
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