Public Notice: Temporary Disinfectant Conversion from Chloramine to Free Chlorine
January 31, 2025
Public Notice
Temporary Disinfectant Conversion
from Chloramine to Free Chlorine
The NORTH HUNT SUD public water system, (PWS) ID 1160039, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on FEBRUARY 1, 2025 and continue through FEBRUARY 28, 2025. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion.
Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.
NORTH HUNT SUD has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the following:
Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can impact water quality, such as higher temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfection residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.
North Hunt SUD has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the following: A”chlorine burn” is often conducted as a preventative maintenance measure to kill bacteria that can make maintenance of disinfection residual problematic. A film can form in the distribution system piping that can contain bacteria which is uses ammonia as a food source. The bacteria in this film is harmless to people. When the water system stops adding ammonia, the bacteria starve. Therefore, a periodic conversion to free chlorine is effective for inactivating these types of bacteria in piping with biofilm by interrupting the supply of ammonia and can also prevent subsequent issues from occurring.
Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact
Jeremy Kindade at 903-886-3458.
