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7 Essential Steps Columbia, SC Residents Must Take During A Water Boil Advisory (Updated December 2025)

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The City of Columbia, South Carolina, continues to grapple with the challenges of an aging water distribution system, a reality underscored by recent water main breaks that triggered boil water advisories in December 2025. These incidents, which affected areas served by Columbia Water, including parts of West Columbia and Forest Acres, serve as a critical reminder that residents must remain vigilant and prepared. The recurrence of these advisories is directly linked to the city’s extensive network of older, cast-iron pipes, which are increasingly susceptible to failures, pressure fluctuations, and subsequent contamination risks. This article provides the essential, up-to-date guide on what you need to know and the exact steps to follow to ensure your family's safety during the next advisory.

A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is not a mere suggestion; it is a public health alert issued when water pressure drops below a critical threshold or a water main break occurs, creating a potential pathway for harmful bacteria to enter the public water supply. While the City of Columbia Water works tirelessly to address these infrastructure challenges, preparedness at the household level is the most immediate defense. Understanding the proper procedures, from boiling water to cleaning fixtures, is vital for every resident in Richland County and surrounding areas.

The Recurring Challenge: Columbia’s Aging Water Infrastructure

The frequent issuance of boil water advisories in the Columbia metropolitan area is a symptom of a much larger, systemic problem: a vast and aging water infrastructure. Many of the pipes in the city's water distribution system are decades old, with a significant portion being vulnerable cast-iron pipes. These older pipes are prone to sudden and catastrophic failures, often resulting in water main breaks that cause a rapid drop in system pressure.

  • Cause of Advisories: When water pressure falls below 20 psi (pounds per square inch), there is a risk of back-siphonage, where ground contaminants can be pulled into the water lines.
  • Infrastructure Investment: Columbia Water is actively engaged in multi-million dollar capital improvement projects to replace and upgrade these aging lines, but the scale of the system means advisories will likely continue during the transition period.
  • Recent Incidents: The advisories issued in early and mid-December 2025 following isolated water main breaks highlight the fragility of specific sections of the network, particularly in areas like Forest Acres and West Columbia.

7 Critical Steps to Follow During a Boil Water Advisory

When Columbia Water or a related utility (like the City of West Columbia) issues an advisory, immediate action is required. The following steps must be followed rigorously until the advisory is officially lifted by the utility in consultation with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).

1. Boil All Water Vigorously for One Minute

This is the most critical step. All water intended for consumption, cooking, or oral hygiene must be disinfected.

  • Procedure: Bring the water to a rolling boil. Once the boil is achieved, continue the vigorous boil for a minimum of one (1) full minute.
  • Cooling and Storage: Allow the water to cool naturally before use. Store the boiled water in clean, covered containers in the refrigerator.

2. Do Not Use Tap Water for Drinking or Cooking

Avoid using untreated tap water for any activity that involves ingestion. This includes preparing beverages like coffee, tea, and juice, as well as making ice cubes. Use only boiled or commercially bottled water for these purposes.

3. Use Bottled Water for Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth should be done exclusively with bottled water or previously boiled and cooled water. Do not use tap water for rinsing your mouth or toothbrush. This is a common oversight that can lead to illness.

4. Take Precautions When Bathing and Showering

For adults and teens, showering is generally considered safe, provided you take care not to swallow any water. However, caution is advised.

  • Infants and Toddlers: Sponge baths are highly recommended for young children, as they are more likely to inadvertently ingest bathwater.
  • Washing Hair: Consider washing hair separately to minimize the risk of water running into your face and mouth.

5. Disinfect Dishes and Food Preparation Surfaces

Dishwashers are generally safe only if they have a high-temperature sanitizing cycle. If your dishwasher does not reach a high enough temperature, or if you are washing by hand, follow these steps:

  • Wash dishes with hot, soapy water.
  • Rinse them with boiled (and cooled) water, or immerse them for at least one minute in a clean sink filled with water containing one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

6. Flush Plumbing After the Advisory is Lifted

Once Columbia Water officially lifts the advisory, you must flush your plumbing system to clear out any potentially stagnant or untreated water. This process helps ensure the freshly tested, safe water reaches your fixtures.

  • Run all cold water faucets for at least 5 minutes.
  • Flush all toilets once or twice.
  • Run water softeners and filtration systems through a regeneration or backwash cycle.
  • Flush and clean all appliances that use water, such as refrigerator water dispensers and ice makers.

7. Stay Alert for Official SCDHEC Confirmation

A boil water advisory is not lifted until the water utility has collected water samples and received confirmation from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) that the water is safe. This process typically requires two consecutive sets of clear water quality test results, often collected over a 24-hour period.

  • Source of Information: Always rely on official announcements from the City of Columbia Water or local news outlets citing the utility. Do not trust rumors or unofficial social media posts.
  • Alert Systems: Sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Columbia to receive instant notifications about advisories and liftings.

Understanding the Difference: Advisory vs. Notice

While often used interchangeably, there is a technical difference in terminology, particularly at the state level, that Columbia residents should be aware of.

  • Boil Water Advisory: This is the most common alert. It is issued as a precautionary measure when a loss of pressure (like from a water main break) creates the *potential* for contamination, even if no bacteria have been confirmed. This was the case for the recent December 2025 incidents.
  • Boil Water Notice (Tier 1 Notice): This is a more severe warning, sometimes issued by SCDHEC, when the water supply has been *confirmed* to be biologically contaminated, such as a positive test for E. coli or other harmful pathogens. This requires a more urgent and strict response.

By understanding the critical nature of Columbia’s ongoing infrastructure challenges and strictly adhering to these seven steps, residents can effectively mitigate the health risks associated with a precautionary boil water advisory. The city’s commitment to upgrading its water system, while slow, is a long-term solution, but individual preparedness remains the immediate defense against potential water quality issues in the capital city of South Carolina.

7 Essential Steps Columbia, SC Residents Must Take During a Water Boil Advisory (Updated December 2025)
city of columbia water boil advisory
city of columbia water boil advisory

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