Here’s why the tap water in Horry County may taste, smell or look different now, SC experts say
If you live in western Horry County and have noticed an unusual taste, smell or color in your tap water, it’s not your imagination.
Throughout March, the Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority (GSWSA) is flushing water lines and using a different chemical treatment in water west of the Waccamaw River.
Here’s what you need to know about efforts to clear sediment and bacteria from water lines if you live in Aynor, Conway, Galivants Ferry, Green Sea or Loris.
Temporary changes
Every year in the spring the GSWSA opens fire hydrants to flush sediment that builds up in the main water lines west of the Waccamaw River. Because flushing can result in some sediments in customers’ water, you may notice some temporary discoloration in your water.
“There is a large demand to our system in the eastern portion of our system, where most of our population exists, so the need for flushing is not prevalent in that section because the demand flushes the system automatically,” said GSWSA Chief Financial Officer Christy Holder. “But in the western part of the system, it’s more rural, and there’s not as much demand in the system, so flushing is needed to just flush that system a little bit more.”
While the GSWSA assures folks the water is completely safe to drink, cook and wash with, it’s a good idea to check for discoloration before starting a load of laundry.
The other major difference this month is the GSWSA’s switch to free chlorine. Normally, the GSWSA treats water with chloramines, a group of chemical compounds containing chlorine and ammonia. But for March, water in the western service area is treated with free chlorine, instead.
Chloramines versus free chlorine
Both chloramines and free chlorine are safe disinfectants that utilities commonly use to treat water.
“We pull samples routinely throughout the water distribution system to make sure that we’re bacteriologically free,” said GSWSA Chief of Field Operations Neeraj Patel.
So why the change? Chloramines and free chlorine offer different advantages and drawbacks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, chloramines are effective longer and make fewer disinfection byproducts, but free chlorine can remove biofilm, a slimy layer of germs that can grow in water pipes and protect germs from disinfectants.
“The idea here with chloramines is that they’re more stable and they’re less odorous, and … that is what we used the majority of the time,” Patel said. “But one month out of the year in this particular area, we do convert to fully free chlorine, where we have a more stronger, more effective disinfectant.”
Is it safe
Throughout the flushing process and temporary switch to chlorine, water is safe to bathe in, clean with, cook with and drink, according to the GSWSA.
“The water that we provide is safe every day, and this process that we conduct one month out of the year helps ensure and reinforce that,” said Patel.
Young children, elderly folks and immunocompromised people can all drink the tap water, but dialysis patients and some pet owners should continue to treat water like they do with chloramines.
Pets like mammals and birds that simply drink water won’t be affected, but animals like fish, turtles and frogs that live in water are more susceptible to chemicals that absorb directly to their bloodstream.
If you use a home dialysis machine or own a pet that’s aquatic or semi-aquatic, make sure to keep treating water from the tap to remove the disinfectants.
Removing chlorine
While water treated with free chlorine is safe to consume, if you’re sensitive to the taste or odor, there are steps you can take to reduce them.
Leaving a container of water open allows the chlorine to dissipate, which can eliminate some of the taste and smell. You can also use a water filtration pitcher, which Patel says can also help reduce the chemical taste and smell. Most will run you $20 to $40 at grocery or hardware stores.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 5:30 AM.