August 25, 2026 – The Isle of Palms Water & Sewer Commission takes pride in maintaining our water distribution facilities. As a part of routine maintenance and in accordance with requirements from SC Department of Environmental Services, we operate a hydrant flow testing and flushing program. The Commission has hired an outside contractor to perform the hydrant flow tests.
During the month of September 2026, the Commission will be flushing and testing all the fire hydrants throughout the Isle of Palms. Hydrant flushing allows the Commission to visually inspect hydrants in operation, test the flow and pressure in the distribution system, and flush out any mineral deposits in the waterline.
The change in flow patterns and velocity during this process may cause some discoloration of water.
This discoloration is caused by air, sediment, and mineral deposits being dislodged from the waterlines. The water remains safe to drink and properly disinfected throughout this process. Customers near these operations should run their faucets, taps, and fixtures for at least 30 seconds prior to use.
If discolored water is observed: Run an outside faucet for a few minutes to flush the line. If water does not clear after a few minutes of flushing, turn off and check again later. Once the outside faucet is clear, run internal taps and fixtures for 2 to 3 minutes until the water clears before doing any laundry or cleaning. In some cases, you may experience slight discoloration for a few hours.
If the discoloration persists for more than twenty four (24) hours, please call the Commission’s customer service to report the condition. Our operators will continue to work throughout this process to minimize the impacts to our customers, and to keep water as clear as possible.
Thank you for understanding as we perform this important process in maintaining our water system.