FAQ

To serve you better, we've assembled a list of our customers' most frequently asked questions. If you don't find your answer here, feel free to contact us.

Water meters are read approximately every 28-31 days.  The billing cycle begins and ends mid month.  

Check your meter and the surrounding area for possible leaks. Next, call our office and report low pressure for your area.

A repair could have been completed recently allowing air to enter the line, causing the milky look.

Yes.  The late fee of $2.00 or 10% of the bill whichever is greater.  Late fees are added the next business day following the 25th due date.  If the past due on your account is not paid by the 10th of the following month, the water service is subject for disconnection.  

All public water systems are required to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L (tested at the end of each line) by state law. Systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant must maintain a level of 0.5 mg/L by state law. Our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.

Most likely your water heater needs to be flushed. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional to flush your water heater. If you plan on doing this yourself, read the owner's manual to keep from being hurt and or damaging the water heater.

We may have received it after the due date or we may not have received it at all. Call our office and we will help you solve the problem.

Are you a new customer and have you been a customer of BWS for at least 30 days?  If so, you will be receiving a bill once you have been on the system for at least 30 days.  

If you have been on BWS  for a longer period, please check the following:

  • Please check the address on the last bill received.  If the address is correct and you have had problems receiving other mail, you may want to contact the USPS.
  • If the address is not correct, have you made any recent changes to your mailing address?
  • If there is a change you would like to make, please contact Customer Service at 843-248-3195.

When purchasing or renting a home, the water service must be transferred to the new owner/renter's name.  An agreement for service must be filled out in our office and the deposit and service charges must be paid.  

Why?  State law requires all new irrigation systems connected to public water supply to be equipped with a backflow prevention device.  The law is designed to prevent the possible backflow of contaminants to the public water supply.  Who installs?  These backflow devices are not installed by Bucksport Water System.  Customers may consult with their landscape contractor or plumber.  Purchase, installation and maintenance of the device are the customer's responsibility.  MAINTENANCE:  These devices are required to be tested yearly by a certified tester.

A Consumer Confidence Report is a mandated annual report that is supplied to help consumers understand what is coming out of their tap.  Among other things the report explains where your water comes from, any detected contaminants and their source.  A copy of our current CCR is available under the forms & reports tab above or at our office location at 2809 Fourth Avenue, Conway, SC 29527.

There may be many contributing factors to a high bill.  Listed below are a few:

  • Leaks such as running toilets, dripping faucets, line breaks.
  • Watering lawn or garden.
  • Irrigation systems

Bucksport Water System, Inc. uses Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system.  This system uses radio transmission to read the meter at your location.  The use of this system provides greater accuracy, better reading time, and reduced cost.  Please be vigilant of your water meter and keep it accessible by not planting flowers and or shrubs close to the meter or enclosing them inside fences.

Bucksport Water System, Inc gladly assist customers with leaks.  You are entitled to one adjustment every 12 months.

The following must be met to qualify for an adjustment:

  • leak is repaired
  • bill has come back to normal
  • high bill must be at least $50 and double your normal bill

Bucksport Water System, Inc. does not offer any discounts for water used to fill a swimming pool.  If you have public sewer, you may contact GSWSA to see if you are eligible for a discount on the sewer bill.

It is common to see a pinkish or light gray color substance forming around a drain, the waterline of a toilet bowl, inside a washing machine or on a shower head.  Because the substance is observed near a water outlet, many people conclude it originates from the water itself.  This is not the case.

The substance is a biofilm which is comprised of microorganisms and bacteria that thrive in moist environments and are transported through the air.  The availability of food souces such as phosphates from soaps, allow the biofilm to grow.

The most effective means to prevent it from constantly recurring is to wah the area frequently and disinfect the surface using household bleach.  In addition, it is best to keep surfaces as dry as possible to preclude future growth.