Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for customers in the Charleston area, including Kiawah Island, TJ Barnwell, Harbor Island, and CUC.
Water Quality
A Boil Water Advisory is issued to notify users that the water may be contaminated and to boil for precautionary purposes. During the advisory, customers should bring water to a vigorous boil for at least one minute before use. This will kill any harmful organisms that may be in the water.
A Boil Water Notice is issued by the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) or the owner or operator of a public water system, notifying users of the water system that there is a strong potential for contamination and to boil all water for at least one minute prior to using for drinking or cooking.
Kiawah Island Utility and Johns Island Water Company do not treat the water received from Charleston, therefore the Charleston Water System results are reflective of the water delivered to the residents of Kiawah Island. According to Charleston Water System the average hardness is 56 parts per million (ppm). You may go to their website at www.charlestonwater.com for up to date analytical results.
There are generally two scenarios in which you may see discolored water at your tap.
The color of water is caused by naturally occurring compounds from decaying vegetation and organic matter that enters source water through runoff, falling vegetation, etc. While discoloration is rarely a health concern, it is an aesthetic concern. Color is measured in platinum-cobalt units (PCUs). Charleston Water System’s lab is equipped with state-of-the-art spectrophotometers to obtain exact color level measurements.
A second common reason for discolored water is when the fire department conducts their semi-annual flow test of each hydrant. This will occasionally stir up the water in the line for a short period of time. You can clear your supply by flushing your water until it is clear again.