Clearwater, Fla.-The method of water treatment utilized by Pinellas County Utilities and its wholesale customers will be temporarily modified from September 18, 2006 through October 27, 2006 resulting in a switch from chloramine to chlorine disinfection. This short-term change is a routine maintenance measure designed to optimize water quality in the water delivery system. Those impacted by this maintenance program include Pinellas County Utilities customers as well as customers in the cities of Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs and part of Oldsmar.
Many communities using chloramine annually utilize chlorine for a short period to maintain system water quality. Pinellas County Utilities switched to chloramine in 2002 when Tampa Bay Water changed the disinfectant from chlorine to chloramine in the water supplied to Pinellas County.
Users of kidney dialysis machines and owners of aquatic life are urged to contact their respective industries for more information about water testing and treatment that may be appropriate for free chlorine rather than chloramine. Pinellas County Utilities customers may experience a slight difference in taste and/or smell in the water during this temporary change in treatment. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the water. Conditions experienced by Utilities customers will be identical to the more than 50 years prior to 2002 when free chlorine was used as the disinfectant in the water.
For more information, please contact Pinellas County Utilities Customer Service at (727) 464-4000.