HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Starting Friday, Oct. 16, tap water on Hilton Head Island and across much of southern Beaufort County may carry a faint chlorine taste or odor, as three utilities begin their yearly line-flushing program.
Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, working with the island’s two public service districts, Hilton Head and Broad Creek, announced the change Oct. 13. For four weeks, through Nov. 13, the utilities will treat drinking water with chlorine in place of chloramine, their usual disinfectant, and flush mains throughout their systems.
The yearly switch is needed because some bacteria and other microorganisms can build up resistance to chloramine over time. When flushing wraps up and the chlorine clears the pipes, the systems return to chloramine.
Service will not be interrupted, and the water remains safe for drinking, cooking and bathing. Flushing can briefly discolor tap water; letting the cold tap run for a few minutes usually clears it. Anyone bothered by the chlorine flavor can keep drinking water in an open container in the refrigerator so the chlorine dissipates, swapping it out each week.
If discolored water lasts past 10 minutes, the Hilton Head district takes calls at (843) 681-5525, while the Broad Creek number is (843) 785-7582. Wholesale systems served by the utilities are affected as well, including Fripp Island and area military facilities. Callawassie, Harbor Island and Spring Island customers of SC Water Utilities can call (843) 768-0641.
