Complaints of discolored water resume after water line repair in Aiken

AIKEN — Some city water customers are reporting discolored water following the July 20 repair of a broken water line near Wire Road and the Aiken Department of Public Safety Headquarters building on Beaufort Street.

“We don’t expect it to be to the same breadth and scale of what we experienced last year,” said Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh, referring to periods in June and August 2025 when many customers complained of discolored water.

“We do not anticipate that being the case now,” Bedenbaugh said. “This was a different sort of circumstance. We had to turn that main off to make the repair.”

He said the line was shut off at 7 a.m. By 2:30 p.m., the city had received six complaints about discolored water.

“I suspect that number will increase,” Bedenbaugh said.

“Because of the size and configuration of the line, the repair required the distribution line to be temporarily shut down. Because the line supplies water to a portion of the city water distribution system, some customers might experience temporary water discoloration as normal system flow is restored,” the city posted on its website on the afternoon of July 20.

The city said “crews are conducting controlled flushing in the affected areas to clear discoloration that may have resulted from changes in water flow during the shutdown and repair.”

Water pressure should return to normal as the system stabilizes, but some customers may temporarily notice brown, yellow or cloudy water. If discoloration is present, run cold water from a bathtub faucet or exterior spigot until the water clears, the city said, advising that residents avoid washing clothes or using hot water while the water remains discolored.

Unless otherwise notified by the city, there is no boil water advisory associated with the repair.

If discoloration continues after flushing, contact the City of Aiken at 803-642-7629 so the location can be evaluated.

“The City appreciates the public’s patience while crews completed the repair and restored normal service,” the website message reads.

More information about discolored water is available on the city’s website.

For questions or to report continued water discoloration, contact Water Treatment Department at 803-642-7629 or report online.