Upper Leon River Municipal Water District Proctor Water Treatment plant has temporarily switched the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine for less than 30 days.
The change began on Oct. 12 and will continue through Nov. 1.
During this time, citizens may notice a taste or odor change associated with the disinfectant conversion.
“Although this procedure does not occur frequently for our residents, it is a procedure routinely used throughout the public water supply industry. Any changes in the smell or taste of the water will be relatively shortlived and not a cause for concern. If residents have questions or concerns, they can contact City Hall and we will work with Upper Leon to provide answers,” Dublin City Manager Bobby Mendez said.
To assist with this conversion, residents may notice increased flushing of dead end mains and fire hydrants throughout the city.
According to information released by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, public water systems are required to disinfect water prior to its entering the distribution system that carries it through pipes for delivery to consumers. Water systems in Texas are also required to maintain a minimum amount of residual disinfectant throughout the distribution system to make sure levels of harmful microorganisms remain low. Treatment prior to distribution may utilize a number of different disinfectants, but a public water system is required to use either chlorine or chloramine in the distribution system.
Chloramine is a longlasting disinfectant that is formed by combining chlorinated water with small amounts of ammonia. It is commonly used for disinfection in many public water systems throughout Texas, the U.S. and other countries.
According to TCEQ, chloramine is typically used in areas with high temperatures and in rural water systems.
A free chlorine conversion also known as a chlorine burn is being done in the system, removing the ammonia that is typically used to form chloramine from the treatment process, disinfecting the water with only chlorine.
According to an EPA survey, 25 to 40% of the utilities that use chloramine reported using free chlorine burns to control nitrification.