Quality on tap. Our commitment. Our profession.
Our Normal Business Operating Hours are 8am to 5pm Mon – Friday
Update On Water Quality Concerns and What Steps LCWSD Is Taking
May 15, 2020: Lancaster County Water & Sewer District, along with Union County, NC have done extensive testing to determine the cause of the taste and odor reported by customers regarding their water. Results received today, May 15, confirm the presence of seasonal algae blooms that can cause a change in taste and odor for customers in select areas.
Water Quality Concerns: The water is safe to drink. The earthy smell and taste are not a health risk, but one of aesthetic quality and common in water systems across the Southeast. Water quality tests performed throughout the water distribution system have confirmed that Lancaster County Water & Sewer District water meets or exceeds all state and federal standards and remains safe to drink.
More Information on Algae: Algae naturally grows in water sources during warm weather. As it grows, it releases small compounds that cause a musty or earthy taste and odor. Although harmless, some individuals’ senses of taste and smell are extremely sensitive to them, even at low concentrations in drinking water. The compounds are detectable to people at different levels, but the standard threshold number is 5 parts per trillion. Some people may not notice any taste and odor until the levels are much higher. Others may never notice it.
Working to Mitigate: We are implementing water treatment modifications to help mitigate the taste and odor. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust processes as needed. It may take up to 1 – 2 weeks for these adjustments to be effective at your tap due to implementation and various detention times within the distribution system.
Strategies at Home: There are ways to help reduce the taste and odor at home. Consider chilling water and/or adding lemon. In addition, carbon filters- the type used in water pitchers or attached to faucets- may help.
We appreciate your patience as we continue to address this issue.
Beginning Friday, March 20, our office will be closed to walk in customers until further notice for the safety of our customers and employees. We encourage our customers to utilize the drive thru, online bill pay, and other electronic means such as email, fax, and/or phone. If you do not have means to receive or submit items electronically, they can be picked up or dropped off at the drive thru. As always, you can find information at www.lcwasd.org or you can call our office at 803-285-6919 or 800-832-2126 for any questions or concerns.
Please know that we remain committed to serving your needs during this unprecedented time, and recognize the importance of providing clean, reliable water.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding for any additional wait times that may be encountered during these difficult times. We will work to adjust accordingly as needed.
Our goal for continuing to provide quality and reliable water service is shown in the example below.
COVID-19 Response
On March 26, 2020, the U.S. EPA issued guidance to all governmental and private sector entities “COVID-19 Implications for EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program.” We are closely monitoring the situation and we will continue to update our contingency planning as needed. EPA expects operators of public water systems to continue normal operations and maintenance to ensure the safety of our drinking water supplies and to minimize and document noncompliance in both water and wastewater services.
We standby 24 hours a day with our employees to assist with any water or sewer questions or need for our customers. Please call 803-285-6919 anytime day or night.
Reliable public water is critical to protecting public health and preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. LCWSD will not suspend or disconnect water service for nonpayment and we are waiving the Over the Phone Convenience Fee for payments during the current State of Emergency. However, our normal late fee will apply and late notices will be mailed out. We encourage customers to keep current with their payments so they remain manageable and prevent the potential for future disconnects and/or debt collection measures.
In an effort to reduce customer and employee exposure, we ask our customers to limit office visits and utilize our other business options. The options for payments include; Online Bill Pay via www.lcwasd.org, bill pay via your financial institution, mail, phone payments, drive thru, night deposit, and bank draft (call customer service for bank draft details). Other customer service options include; email info@lcwasd.org, phone 803-285-6919 or 800-832-2126, and fax 803-285-9574.
Like you, we continue to monitor COVID-19 and will post updates as needed.
CDC The Center for Disease Control
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