HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WSAV) — Hilton Head Public Service District (PSD), and the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA), are asking customers not to run irrigation systems on Oct. 29 and 30.
BJWSA is asking its customers in Beaufort County, Jasper County and Hilton Head Island to temporarily shut down one of its water treatment plants as part of a construction project at the plant. The PSD said they have ample water supply; however, the temporary plant shutdown will potentially limit the supply that BJWSA can provide to the island.
“We scheduled this work for a time when water demands for irrigation are not as great and as many irrigation systems begin to be decommissioned for the winter months,” said General Manager Verna Arnette. "The utility will still be able to produce water from its Chelsea Treatment Plant and drinking water wells, and this request is being made as a precautionary measure to ensure water pressure.”
The BJWSA project is an expansion of its Purrysburg Treatment Plant capacity from 15 million gallons a day (mgd) to 30 mgd. The project is anticipated to be completed during the summer of 2025, according to BJWSA.
The $60 million expansion will double treatment capacity from 15 million gallons per day (MGD) to 30 MGD and help meet future demand, BJWSA said. The treatment plant expansion is expected to be complete during the summer of 2025.
Colleton County denied individual assistance by FEMA
PSD said that there will be no impact on PSD water quality as a result of the temporary shutdown.
“The temporary irrigation cessation request is purely out of an abundance of caution in order to help minimize any impacts on the water distribution systems,” said Hilton Head PSD General Manager Pete Nardi. “This is a good reminder of the tremendous value of water to our communities and how we all share a responsibility to use water efficiently at all times.”
PSD said that irrigation of residential landscaping typically represents 40 to 60% of the annual demand for drinking water on the island and can particularly stress the water distribution system during the early morning hours. Customers are reminded that the Town of Hilton Head Island ordinance restricts irrigation to no more than two days a week at all times and requires a working rain sensor on all irrigation systems.
Hilton Head homes with even-numbered addresses can irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, PSD said. Homes with odd-numbered addresses can irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only.
Commercial properties can irrigate on Mondays and Thursdays only.
BJWSA said that in addition to this temporary conservation request, they also are attempting to reduce demand peaks with its irrigation management plan which involves adjusting irrigation timers to water only three days per week, on a rotating schedule.
Customers with odd-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Those with even-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No irrigation should occur on Mondays or any day between the hours of 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. when water usage traditionally is at its highest.
Customers can learn more about water efficiency by visiting: https://hhpsd.com/about-our-water/water-conservation/. Customers can track their water consumption using the PSD’s free online portal at: https://hhpsd.smartcmobile.com/portal/.
For BJWSA customers, you can find more information at Be Water Wise | BJWSA, SC or call 843-987-9200.