Water system maintenance to begin

The method of water treatment for Pinellas County and its wholesale customers will be temporarily modified between Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Thursday, Sept. 25. The second of two short-term changes from chloramine to chlorine disinfection this year is a routine maintenance measure designed to optimize water quality.

Those impacted include Pinellas County water customers as well as customers in the cities of Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs. This disinfection program is designed to maintain distribution system water quality and minimize the potential for any future problem. There have been no indications of significant bacteriological contamination problems in the system. The water will continue to meet federal and state standards for safe drinking water.

Kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted, but should contact their dialysis care provider for more information about chlorine treatment. Fish owners should not be affected if they already have a system in place to remove chloramines, but should contact local pet suppliers with any questions. Customers may notice a slight difference in taste and/or odor of the water during this temporary change in treatment. Chlorine was used as the primary disinfectant in the water for more than 50 years prior to 2002.

Many communities using chloramine convert back to chlorine for a short period to maintain system water quality. Pinellas County switched to chloramine in 2002 to ensure compliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards. The first short-term change from chloramine to chlorine disinfection this year ran from May 27 to June 16.

Go online to Pinellas County Utilities or contact Pinellas County Customer Service at (727) 464-4000.