Chloramines are a disinfectant used in drinking water to neutralize bacteria and viruses. Chloramines are produced by combining Free Chlorine with Ammonia and is then measured as Total Chlorine.
Chlorine Flush FAQ
Free chlorine is also used to disinfect drinking water, but it is a stronger disinfectant than chloramines. Free Chlorine is not bound by another chemical.
No. Distribution system flushing is a routine process performed to maintain our customers’ water quality. It has no connection to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
We switch for preventative maintenance purposes and because it is a drinking water industry best practice.
The use of free chlorine may result in a bit of a chemical odor in your water or smell slightly like water in a swimming pool. Each individual customer has his or her own sensitivity level to the taste and/or odor of free chlorine, though many detect no change at all.
Fill a pitcher with water and leave it uncovered on your counter, which will allow the odor to dissipate.
The flushing process can stir up sediments and minerals in water mains, occasionally resulting in some short-term cloudiness. If you encounter this condition, please run cold water from your tap until the cloudiness dissipates. If your water looks cloudy for an extended period of time, please contact us.
Most customers will not see a drop in water pressure. If a change in pressure does occur, it will be minimal and temporary.
Some older household plumbing and water heaters may incorporate rubber materials and parts, which can degrade over time. Ask for chloramines-resistant parts, which are readily available at hardware supply stores or from your plumber, when replacing rubber plumbing materials. Chloramines-resistant parts will be effective regardless of the type of chlorine used.
Because dialysis centers use special water treatment processes to prevent adverse impacts to patients during dialysis therapy, the Utility notifies all centers in its service area about the conversion to free chlorine prior to the change of disinfectant. Like everyone else, dialysis patients may drink water treated with either free chlorine or chloramines because the digestive process neutralizes these chemicals before they enter the bloodstream. Please speak with your doctor if you have any special medical concerns.
No. Precautions must be taken to remove or neutralize chloramines and free chlorine during the preparation of water for fish tanks and ponds.
