Table Rock fire burns edge of SC drinking water reservoir in video. Will it hurt water quality?

The Greenville Water System has posted a dramatic video of the Table Rock Fire skirting the edge of its reservoir in northern Greenville County.

The nighttime video was apparently taken from a boat and shows flames engulfing lakefront trees.

The fire, which authorities say was caused by negligent hikers on March 21, had burned 4,556 acres as of 2 p.m. Wednesday as observed in a surveillance flight.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission stated fireline personnel said Wednesday after the flight the wildfire had grown, as strong winds breached containment lines.

The 400-plus-acre reservoir and surrounding watershed is owned by the Greenville Water System and along with North Saluda Reservoir and Lake Keowee supplies drinking water to 500,000 residents in Greenville County and portions of Anderson, Pickens, and Laurens counties.

The water system said on social media the wildfire will have little to no impact on water quality.

“Based on our previous experience with the 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire, which did not affect water quality, we are confident that the Table Rock fire will have a similar outcome,” the water system said.

Water from the three separate lakes goes for treatment at the Stovall Water Treatment Plant in Travelers Rest. The plant uses a process called Dissolved Air Flotation, which uses pressure to dissolve air in the water that is released as tiny bubbles that attach to the particulate matter.

The particulate is skimmed from the surface.

So far, there has been no reason to stop taking water from Table Rock, the water system said. But if conditions change, the other two reservoirs can provide enough water for the system.

“Additionally, you can be confident that the aerial operations controlling the fire within the watershed are using only water,” the water system said on Facebook.

This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM.