CMD Issues System-Wide Boil Water Notice
The Chester Metropolitan District has issued a District-wide Boil Water Notice.
Boil water vigorously prior to drinking or cooking.
This notice was issued because portions of the system experienced a drop in water pressure due to a break on the 30” water main in the Fort Lawn area. Repairs have been completed and the system is fully operational.
Customers should vigorously boil their tap water for one full minute prior to drinking, cooking, washing hands for food preparation, or any use that could cause water to enter the mouth. Any ice made from water which has not been boiled must not be used for drinking purposes.
CMD is flushing the affected areas and performing bacteriological testing. Customers will be notified once the problem is corrected and boiling water is no longer necessary. Please contact our office at (803) 385-5123 or visit www.facebook.com/chestermetropolitandistrict for more information.
Additional Information Regarding this Notice:
- Chester Metropolitan District has issued a Boil Water Notice for all customers on our public water system. When pressure drops below 20 psi in a water line, CMD is required by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) to issue a “Boil Water Notice.”
- The notice was issued as the result of a drop in water pressure in the Fort Lawn area on the evening of November 11, 2019. At approximately 7:00 PM last night, CMD experienced a drop in water pressure in the Fort Lawn area. This pressure drop was very brief, yet pressure did fall below the threshold which requires public notice.
- Customers have asked why washing hands is listed as part of the notice: Because a drop in pressure means the potential for bacterial growth in the water line, DHEC suggests that the washing of hands to prepare food has the potential for any bacteria or other microbes which may be present as a result of the pressure drop to enter the body through the mouth. By using bottled, boiled, or well water to wash hands, this reduces the risk to the consumer.
- CMD asks its customers to boil tap water vigorously for at least one minute prior to drinking or cooking, as boiling water will kill any bacteria which may be present.
- Hand washing and showering is permitted; however we suggest following all hand washing with hand sanitizer.
- Brushing teeth should be performed with bottled or boiled water.
- Restaurants using commercial dish washers may continue to use their dishwashers as normal. Residential dish washers with a “Sanitize” function may also be used. We suggest boiling tap water if hand-washing dishes.
- Line flushing and bacteriological sampling are being performed in all areas of the CMD system. Results generally take a few days to return. Once passing samples have been received from all parts of the system, CMD will lift the Boil Water Notice.
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For commercial and industrial customers, public schools, and municipal offices, regular water use may be resumed with the following notes: Restrict use of all water fountains. Drink bottled water. Washing hands with tap water is permissible followed up with hand sanitizer.
This notice does not apply to residents and businesses on well water.
18 comments to “CMD Issues System-Wide Boil Water Notice”
Helen Boyd - November 12, 2019
Is there School tomorrow
susanroddey - November 12, 2019
Our Executive Director is in close contact with the School District and local media outlets. As soon as we are aware whether school will resume tomorrow, we will share that information.
Frank Heid - November 15, 2019
Hi, having same problem as renee. Sounds like water running under house but no visible leak. Air pressure?
susanroddey - November 18, 2019
Please contact our office at (803) 385-5123 and speak with our customer service representatives. They can access your account and offer assistance.
renee - November 12, 2019
dear susan,
we shut our water off yesterday because husband heard running water under house. could break be responsible? husband will go under house to investigate today is this dangerous.
susanroddey - November 12, 2019
Good morning,
The sound of water running under your house is very likely due to a leak or break on your private system inside your house. The repair work performed yesterday by our maintenance crews took place in public right-of-way and would not have affected any private residence. Please call our office at (803) 385-5123 once you determine if you do have a leak and our Customer Service staff will assist you with the next steps.
Debbie - November 12, 2019
WOW, just happen to see this on the news. Don’t normally watch tv in the morning. So since last night been drinking bad water? How about an auto phone call to alert people. I don’t use Facebook or “social media”.
susanroddey - November 12, 2019
We are working with our software provider to establish and automated calling/text messaging system for situations such as these. Unfortunately, the system is not yet functional. We hope to have it online soon.
Mary Hall - November 12, 2019
Just curious.. why wasn’t a mass Voice message sent out over the phone to customers? Not everyone has internet.
susanroddey - November 12, 2019
We are working with our software provider to establish and automated calling/text messaging system for situations such as these. Unfortunately, the system is not yet functional. We hope to have it online soon.
D - November 12, 2019
Does this affect showering, bathing, or laundry?
susanroddey - November 12, 2019
Water is safe to use for bathing and laundry. We suggest following any hand-washing with hand sanitizer and brushing teeth with boiled or bottled water.
John Whisonant - November 14, 2019
I did not get a notice that I need to boil the water. Why don’t you use a phone message like Rock Hill does? I am not on Face book. I didn’t get the news until 11-13-18 from people at the Hardware Store.
susanroddey - November 18, 2019
CMD does have an automatic notification system, but we have discovered that many of our contact numbers are out of date. If you believe yours may be one of them, please contact our office to update your telephone number, or create an online account at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/chestermetrodistrictsc and sign up for automatic notifications.
Simone - November 15, 2019
Is the water safe now Susan??
susanroddey - November 18, 2019
Yes. Boil Water restrictions were lifted this morning.
Lina - November 18, 2019
Are we still under the boil water thing
susanroddey - November 18, 2019
Boil Water Restrictions were lifted at 8:00 AM on 11/18/10