Beginning September 14, 2024 and ending October 11, 2024, Titusville water customers may notice a chlorine odor or a change in taste or color in their tap water. During this period, the Public Works Department will temporarily change its water disinfection method to provide additional protection against contamination to help ensure that your water remains safe. This temporary change in water chemistry will not affect the safety of your drinking water. Your water remains safe to drink and use in your home.
Water disinfection is required to protect public health and keep our water safe. The City of Titusville uses proven and highly effective disinfection methods to treat the water we deliver to our customers. The temporary change in disinfection is required to protect public health. This maintenance procedure is essential to keeping our water safe as it travels to your tap through miles of water pipes.
NEED FOR DISINFECTION
Disinfection is a critical part of water treatment to keep water safe. Titusville’s normal water treatment processes, includes forming chloramines (a combination of ammonia and chlorine).
Titusville uses free chlorine (first step) to disinfect water at the treatment plant and then adds ammonia to form chloramines (second step) before leaving the plant. This maintains required water disinfection levels from the time it leaves the treatment plant all the way to your tap. Both steps are needed to keep tap water free of harmful microorganisms, such as parasites and viruses.
During the dosing (also known as a free chlorine treatment), the City stops adding ammonia but does not increase the amount of chlorine residual. After the chlorine dosing is completed, the City will return to its normal treatment process.
TEMPORARY CHANGE IN DISINFECTION (ALSO KNOWN AS FREE CHLORINE CONVERSION)
No more than twice per year, the City suspends the typical use of ammonia to allow the remaining chlorine to keep the water disinfected as it travels through the system. This temporary change in disinfectant helps maintain the system and high water quality year-round.
Common Disinfection Practice
Many water providers who use chloramine maintain their systems using this same process.
DID YOU KNOW?
During the temporary change in disinfectant (Chloramines to Free Chlorine) our crews will help move the blend of chloramine- and chlorine-disinfected water through the system by flushing water from fire hydrants.
Even at low concentrations, some people may be more sensitive to taste, smell and skin contact with chlorine. Here are some simple steps to help minimize those effects.
Certain facilities such as hospitals, dialysis centers, manufacturing companies, and fish and amphibian sellers/owners need to be aware of the temporary change in disinfectant since changes in our treatment process may impact their operations.
Customers with a sensitivity to chlorine
Customers who are sensitive to chlorine can take several steps to minimize the effects of the change, including the following:
- Run the tap for a few minutes before using the water.
- Fill a pitcher of water and let it sit for several hours to allow any residual chlorine to evaporate.
- Consider installing a carbon filter on kitchen/bathroom faucets or shower heads or replacing existing filters with new ones.
Dosing Reminders
- Consult your health care provider if you are currently undergoing dialysis or have a compromised immune system to determine whether the change in disinfection will affect your treatment.
- Contact a pet or aquarium professional if you own a fish tank or pond that uses City water to determine if any adjustments to your aquarium treatment is needed during a chlorine dosing.
- Check Public Works’ pages at www.titusville.com for information on current chlorine dosing.