Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority is reporting discolored water from taps south of the Broad River, specifically in Hardeeville and Bluffton.
The discoloration is caused by manganese, a mineral that is common in tap water and water mains. Changes in pressure or speed of water moving through pipes can dislodge the mineral, turning water brown.
Residents should not drink discolored water. Manganese causes a bitter taste, Jeff LaRue, spokesperson for BJWSA, said, and it can stain clothes, so La Rue suggests holding off on washing light colored clothes. High levels of manganese can cause some health complications; the Minnesota Department of Health said people exposed to high levels over a long period of time can experience memory and attention problems…