Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2017

78 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com feature they leave a utility to clean up the mess.” Duffie said he knew Mount Pleasant’s water supply is safe, but he took the concerns of his customers seriously. He pointed out that the water was tested for 228 possibly harmful compounds by Eurofins of South Bend, Indiana. None of them were found in the Mount Pleasant Waterworks system, which serves the area from the Cooper River to the Santee River but not Awendaw or McClellenville. Long before the social media-induced controversy, Mount Pleasant Waterworks was taking 90 samples a month at 270 homes and businesses around town to make sure the water didn’t contain chlorine, bacteria and other harmful substances. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control also samples the town’s water, and the Environmental Protection Agency takes a look at Mount Pleasant’s water quality every five years. The water at all East Cooper schools is tested as well. According to Duffie, Waterworks customers sometimes have issues with the color, taste or smell of the water – but he usually receives fewer than 100 complaints over the course of a year. He said the Waterworks reacted to the recent controversy by setting up an incident command team that met every day for two weeks. “We implemented a command structure and managed this communication crisis as if it were an emergency,” Duffie said, noting that the Waterworks used social media, emails, its website and local news outlets to communicate with the public. “I’ve said this 100 times. We can’t prevent an emergency. We’re judged on how well we respond and communicate. We responded well, and we let our customers know. We gave them confidence that they didn’t have anything to worry about.” Duffie pointed out that despite accusations that Mount Pleasant’s water is tainted – and the approximately $100,000 the Waterworks spent to assure the public that the water is safe – something good has come of the controversy. He said the Waterworks’ relationship with DHEC has improved dramatically, he has been appointed to a drinking water advisory council, and he has had the opportunity to meet with high-ranking officials of the EPA. “We and the regulators are taking it seriously. We need to assure the public. There needs to be a solid message from the EPA, DHEC and the utilities,” Duffie said. “This crisis helped us learn how to communicate with customers effectively, and our relationship with the state and the EPA is much better. We’re very encouraged with that.” SkinnyMe w i t h h C G Jennifer lost 56.1 inches with a weight loss of 58.6 pounds. Her weight loss passion turned into her life work at Skinny Me. 1459 Stuart Engals Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 843.352.9642 www.SkinnyMeWeightLoss.com www.CharlestonManPlan.com HOLIDAY SPECIAL Anita Dormer, MD Richard Boulware, PA-C, ABAAHP Nancy Boulware, RN ) hCG Diet - Tablets or Injections Average weight loss in 42 days: Women lose 20-35 pounds Men lose 30-50 pounds ) New Excel Weight Loss Program ) Clean Eating Plan with Appetite Suppressant ) Vitamin B12 Injections WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS #1 Weight Loss Clinic in the Carolinas! Featured on Low Country Live and Charlotte Today Show . BEFORE-200lbs AFTER-136lbs ÃÕÀ>Vi ÀiLÕÀÃiiÌ] yiÝ Ã«i`}] -Ƃ >` ÕÃi w>V} >Û>>Li Start Losing Weight NOW! Enjoy Your Holidays with our Pass, then Keep Losing and Look Your Best for the New Year!