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.
  • 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.

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