Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority flushed lines recently

By Kaye Collins

Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority (GSWSA) began flushing the waterlines in Little River, Conway, Loris, Aynor, Gallivants Ferry, Green Sea and communities west of the Waccamaw River. There may be a noticeable change with the smell of chlorine.

GSWSA began flushing the waterlines at the beginning of March 2026 opening the fire hydrants to let the water flow to remove any sediment which may result in temporary water discoloration or sediment in your water. As a reminder when doing laundry they suggest checking the water before loading the washer.

Throughout the year, safe concentrations of chloramines are maintained in the water to ensure cleanliness; however, during the flushing period, ‘free-chlorine’ is introduced as a more potent disinfectant. The chief of field operations at GSWSA explained that this practice is intended to effectively scour the distribution system, which is a common procedure for any system utilizing chloramines.

Residents reached out on Facebook’s What’s Happening Original to inquire about the strong chlorine smell in their water. They can now feel reassured with the information regarding the flushing of the lines, which is essential to prevent problems that arise when the lines are not properly flushed.

Residents may notice a stronger odor or taste of chlorine in their water, but the concentration of chlorine does not change. Chlorine levels remain between two and four mg/L as per state regulations. The water quality is maintained for safe consumption.

Water flushing occurs yearly before water temperatures rise. Pathogens thrive in warmer water, so the flush while the water is colder to avoid problems. The flushing takes about 30 days to complete.

For anyone who is more sensitive to the change in the odor or taste, it is recommended to use filtered water or leave a drinking container open for about twenty-four hours to let the chlorine dissipate.