Bluffton residents ongoing struggle with discolored water

For years residents of Bluffton have raised concerns over discolored tap water, blaming yellow or brown coloration on inadequate infrastructure and treatment fluctuations. Many say the water’s appearance has worsened following heavy rainfall and system maintenance operations.

The BeaufortJasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA), which serves Bluffton and surrounding Lowcountry communities, attributes the discoloration to mineral deposits—particularly manganese—and disturbances in water flow triggered by construction, hydrant testing and high usage periods.

Mineral buildup in older mains can become dislodged during pressure changes, producing a teacolored appearance. BJWSA emphasizes that discoloration does not necessarily mean water is unsafe, though it may stain laundry or fixtures.

Local residents have voiced frustration on community platforms, pointing to persistent brown water issues in developments across Bluffton. One resident noted complaints dating back years, with calls to BJWSA initially attributed to “old pipes” before shifting to manganese explanations.

BJWSA says it has implemented both short and longterm solutions. Short term measures include targeted flushing of mains and adjusting manganese dosing to reduce mineral build-up. Longer-term upgrades involve expanding capacity at the Purrysburg treatment plant and installing new water towers and mains to stabilize water flow and pressure and address increasing demands.

Customers experiencing discolored water are advised to run cold taps for several minutes until clarity returns. Persistent issues should be reported directly to BJWSA through their customer service line or online portal.

According to BJWSA’s 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, testing conducted throughout 2024 showed no violations of federal or state safety standards. Key indicators such as turbidity, total organic carbon, coliform bacteria, and disinfectant byproducts were all within allowable limits.
• Turbidity, a measure of cloudiness in water caused by particles, remained well below the EPA’s threshold, with 100% of samples meeting the treatment standard.
• Chlorine levels averaged 2.21 parts per million (ppm), below the EPA maximum of 4 ppm.
• Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), a common byproduct of chlorine disinfection, had a locational running annual average of 52 ppb—within the 80 ppb maximum.

The report also noted that BJWSA completed its full-service line inventory in 2024 and confirmed that no lead service lines are present in its system. Nonetheless, BJWSA advises consumers to flush taps for several minutes before drinking and encourages the use of certified filters if concerned about lead exposure from internal plumbing components.

The report also disclosed the presence of five PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the water supply, part of the EPA’s ongoing Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). The substances were detected in low concentrations, with none exceeding proposed regulatory limits. PFOS and PFOA, both considered high-priority compounds due to potential links to cancer and reproductive harm, were detected at 1.7 ppt and 2.3 ppt, respectively—below the EPA’s proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels.

Despite meeting regulatory standards, residents continue to report discolored or unappealing tap water, prompting many to seek alternatives such as whole-house filtration systems or bottled water for drinking.

As the utility works toward completing its long term infrastructure improvements by mid-2025 and beyond, residents continue to have water concerns and are asking what effect ongoing development will have.

For more information or to report water quality issues, visit the BJWSA website or contact their customer support line. BJWSA invites the public to attend its monthly board meetings, held at 9 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at its Okatie headquarters.