The North Texas Municipal Water District has announced that it will begin its annual routine change in its water treatment process on Monday in preparation for warmer weather.
In the interests of public health, all public water systems in the state of Texas are required to disinfect drinking water before providing it to customers. The NTMWD, like many other public water systems in the state, follows a two-step process that includes treating the water and then adding a mixture of chlorine and ammonia to maintain the water quality as it travels through miles of pipes to homes and businesses in the area.
From March 3 to March 31, the district will use chlorine only, without ammonia, for the final phase of the disinfection process.
“This temporary change helps prepare the pipes for summer when hotter temperatures can increase the potential for bacterial growth,” the NTMWD stated in a press release.
The district said it has been using this same 28-day process each year for more than 15 years and that high water quality has always been maintained. Testing is conducted continually throughout the process to ensure water quality.
“This routine, temporary change in water disinfectant is critical to maintaining the right conditions inside our pipelines and water quality year-round,” said Zeke Campbell, the NTMWD assistant deputy for water treatment and conveyance, per the press release. “This common system maintenance practice does not increase the amount of chlorine, and the water remains safe to drink. Our water continues to meet or surpass safe drinking water standards.”
Although the amount of chlorine added to the water will remain the same, the absence of the ammonia may make the chlorine more noticeable to some consumers. The taste and odor of the chlorine can be minimized by adding citrus to drinking water or adding a crushed 1000 mg. Vitamin C tablet to bath water, according to NTMWD.
Some municipalities may choose to flush water from city fire hydrants to help move the chlorine-disinfected water through the system faster.
“Protection of public health and keeping our water safe is a top priority,” said Campbell. “Our treatment processes are among the best and most highly effective available to ensure the communities we serve have safe, reliable drinking water.”
The NTMWD provides water to about 2.3 million North Texans across a 2,200-square-mile service area.