UPDATE-- The Boil Water Advisory was lifted on Feb. 14. Residents can resume normal water usage.

At 3:15 a.m. Feb. 14, water service was restored to Effingham County and Meinhard Road area customers. Upon investigation, the cause of the loss of water supply and pressure resulted from a fire hydrant assembly that separated/failed from its connection to the 30-inch waterline. The failure has been repaired and the 30-inch waterline remains intact and in service. Initial assessment of the situation to determine the probable cause of the separation was not apparent to City staff but further assessment will be undertaken as the City strives to avoid this type of incident.   

On Feb. 13 at approximately 7 p.m., the City of Savannah’s Water Resources department became aware of a major water system leak associated with a 30-inch waterline in north Chatham County that serves as the primary supply for Effingham County. While water service was restored within approximately two hours to most of the affected areas in Chatham County, a complex water line repair was needed to restore water service to Effingham County and customers off Meinhard Road. 

Due to the loss of water pressure that resulted, customers in north Chatham and all of Effingham will remain under a boil water advisory for the next 48 hours.

Customers are advised to disinfect their water before consumption by boiling the water for at least one minute in a clean container. The water must be brought to a rolling boil, then the minute starts.

During a Boil Water Advisory, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that boiled tap water or bottled water be used for the following:

• Drinking
• Brushing teeth
• Washing food and preparing food and baby formula
• Making ice
• Drinking water for pets

Other activities such as clothes washing, dishwashing and other uses can be done without boiling tap water, if done properly.

The complete CDC guidance can be found at this website: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory.html

The advisory is in effect until the Effingham County Water Department has done the appropriate testing to be confident that there is no longer a public health concern. Customers will be notified immediately when the Advisory is lifted. Once the Advisory is lifted you should flush all faucets for a minimum of two minutes before using for drinking food preparation.