Sports Bar in Summerville, SC

GOOSE CREEK — Residents who get their water directly from the City of Goose Creek, the Summerville Commissioners of Public Works and those living in certain parts of Berkeley County should boil it before consuming it — and should expect to do so until the evening of March 18.

Mayor Greg Habib posted to Facebook on March 17: “ …a temporary patch (is in place) until everyone’s tanks can be filled to try to ensure there is no total loss of service. At 6:00 this evening, the transmission line will be shut down to make the permanent repair. We are hopeful they can make the repair by the morning.”

A boil water advisory is in effect and will remain in effect until 24 hours after the repair.

The safety notice only applies to those on city-maintained water, with the direct source linking back to Santee Cooper.

Charleston Water System customers, including those residing in the Naval Weapons Station base, are not affected.

A portion of those residing in Berkeley County between Moncks Corner and Goose Creek have been flagged as possibly affected as well. Though officials noted that all area residents have been directly notified, others can confirm if they’re under boil water notice by calling Berkeley County Water & Sanitation at 843-572-4400.

The boil advisory went out early-morning March 17, but the pipe broke the night prior. Crews in the Moncks Corner area have been working for more than 14 hours to repair the affected water main, but slow progress means that a boil water advisory will likely persist well into March 18, city officials say.

Residents are advised to conserve as much water as possible and boil it for at least one minute before any use that will involve human consumption. This includes washing dishes and brushing teeth, among other daily activities.

While no confirmed contamination within the system has been detected, officials still advise boiling the water as contaminant infiltration is more likely with lessened pressure, according to Summerville Public Works.

A Santee Cooper water main broke around 7 p.m. March 16, according to an information post from the City of Goose Creek. An independent contractor had punctured the line, though city officials did not immediately know residents would be required to boil their water as a result.

As of 10 a.m. March 17, officials tentatively expect repairs to the line to be completed by the evening. Due to the process officials must abide by to determine that the water in a repaired main is safe for consumption, an additionally 24 hours must pass before quality testing can occur, according to the City of Goose Creek.

If repairs go according to plan, the water can undergo testing on the evening of March 18.