Water restored for all three schools after breach, water boil advisory still in effect

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Hopkins Middle School, Hopkins Elementary School, and Gadsden Elementary School water was restored after a Monday breach in Richland County Utilities (RCU) water system resulted in the loss of over 300,000 gallons.

The three schools were left without water for hours.

Richland County Utilities (RCU) said the water was restored at Gadsden Elementary and Hopkins Middle Monday night.

Hopkins Elementary was restored Tuesday morning.

Officials said RCU repaired a breach in a 30-mile water line running to Hopkins in Lower Richland. The breach occurred because of a crack in the water line that spread to a pipe joint.

A water boil advisory was also issued after the breach, encouraging residents to boil their water for at least one full minute prior to using it.

RCU said that as a precaution, the advisory is still in effect until Thursday, March 30 while staff continues to test the water for safe consumption.

Updated information can be monitored through Richland County’s Facebook page as well as the County’s website for updated information.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Three Richland County Schools were without water after the Lower Richland area experienced a water breach on Monday, March 28.

District administrators say they were alerted by Richland County Utilities (RCU) the water was restored at Gadsden Elementary and Hopkins Middle.

The water still has not been restored at Hopkins Elementary and RCU is working to resolve the situation.

RCU is hoping the water service for the school will be restored in the morning.

Portable restrooms will remain at all three schools until all water service has been restored.

Additional bottled water will be provided by RCU tomorrow to assist with the issue until the Boil Water Advisory is repealed.

Classes will proceed as scheduled tomorrow at all three schools.

Previous Coverage:

Three schools are currently without water after a Monday breach in Richland County Utilities (RCU) water system resulted in the loss of over 300,000 gallons.

According to Richland County Utilities, there is no water service to Hopkins Middle School, Hopkins Elementary School, and Gadsden Elementary School, as well as the homes and businesses in the surrounding areas.

A spokesperson for Richland One Schools said portable toilets have been delivered to all three schools.

“The water pressure has been low all day so far,” said a spokesperson for Richland One Schools.

At this time, Richland One Schools said there are no plans for an early dismissal.

A spokesperson said RCU is investigating the cause of the breach in an effort to make the necessary repairs, anticipated to take as long as four to six hours.

A water boil was issued until further notice encouraging residents to boil their water for at least one full minute prior to using it.

Updated information can be monitored through Richland County’s Facebook page as well as the County’s website for updated information.

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