The Charleston Water Department has announced that service will be disrupted Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. until about 1 p.m. for installation of a new fire hydrant.
After completion of the work, the city will be issuing a precautionary boil-water alert to be in effect from Saturday through Tuesday, Charleston Mayor Sedrick Smith noted.
A fire hydrant near the intersection of north Court Square and North Panola Street was destroyed recently when hit by an automobile. To install a new hydrant and to repair connections, water flow must be halted temporarily, Smith explained.
The mayor said it is hoped the disruption can be isolated to the Court Square area. However, if certain valves do not function properly, the entire system, including East Charleston Water Association, may have to be shut down for up to three hours, he added.
The work is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and is expected to be completed by 1 p.m.
The city will lift the self-imposed precautionary boil-water alert once water samples submitted by the city to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) are tested and confirmed safe for consumption, Smith noted.
The MSDH website lists precautions to take in a boil-water situation.
