Boil Water Warning Issued to Thousands in South Carolina

Nearly 10,000 water customers in South Carolina have been told to boil their water following a burst pipe.

The issue began on Wednesday morning at 10:45 a.m. following a 20-inch water transmission line break near Highway 14 and Chandler Road in Greer, near Greenville. In response, Greer Commission of Public Works (CPW) issued a boil water advisory affecting 9,900 customers in the area.

The advisory affects water customers in the Wade Hampton Boulevard radius from Tryon Street to Highway 80 to Highway 290/Duncan and near Greer Golf. According to a map posted by the CPW, the warning includes homes and businesses around Greer Middle School, Wards Creek Park and Victor Mills.

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"We are working to restore water completely, but as a precaution, we are issuing a boil water advisory for our customers in those areas," said Stephen Kennette, CPW's water filter plant manager. "If you had low or no pressure, you should boil your water until sampling comes back to confirm water is safe to drink."

The supplier said the boil water advisory has been implemented as a "precautionary measure" as "low pressure events, like the one experienced today, could allow bacteria in soil and groundwater to enter water pipes through cracks or leaks."

"Following the repairs, CPW will then test the drinking water to ensure that no harmful bacteria is present," the advisory continues. "Results will be available 24 hours after repairs are made and lines are flushed. Upon confirmation that the water is safe, the precautionary advisory will be lifted."

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Some residents affected by the advisory said they could not get any running water at all. "Low water pressure is an understatement," wrote one X, formerly Twitter, user in response to the CPW's official account. "I'm getting no water whatsoever at my home."

Newsweek has contacted CPW via the contact form on its website for comment outside of normal working hours.

Giving its most recent update at 10 p.m. ET, the company said the water supply should have resumed for customers in the area. "Crews have finalized repairs and customers should be getting water service," the company wrote on X. "Please boil your water for one minute before drinking or cooking if you are in the impacted area."

Footage of the damaged water main has been posted on social media. Local news outlet WYFF News 4 posted overhead footage of Highway 14 showing water coursing out from a damaged portion of the road while workers in high visibility jackets look on.

WSPA 7News reported that a portion of the highway between Wade Hampton Boulevard and Country Club Road remains closed following the incident. While the water main is now fixed, Highway 14 remains partially closed as it needs to be resurfaced. The CPW has said drivers avoid the affected area for the next two days while works take place.