Pinellas County Residents May Notice Water Taste, Odor Difference In April

CLEARWATER, FL – Pinellas County Utilities announced earlier this week that its water customers may notice a slight difference in the taste and/or odor of their water during a temporary change in water treatment between Monday, April 3 and Monday, April 24.

This first of two short-term changes from chloramine to chlorine disinfection in 2017 is a routine maintenance measure designed to optimize water quality, according to the utility department. The program will affect Pinellas County Utilities water customers, as well as customers in the cities of Clearwater, Pinellas Park and Safety Harbor.

The disinfection program is designed to maintain distribution system water quality and minimize the potential for any future problems. According to Pinellas County Utilities, there have been no indications of significant bacteriological contamination problems in the system. The water will continue to meet all federal and state standards for safe drinking water, the agency said in a release.

Kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted, according to the county, but should contact their dialysis care provider for more information about chlorine treatment. The county also said fish owners should not be affected if they already have a system in place to remove chloramines, but should contact their local pet supplier with any questions.

Chlorine was used as the primary disinfectant in the water for more than 50 years prior to 2002. Pinellas County switched to chloramine in 2002 to comply with Environmental Protection Agency standards. Many communities using chloramine convert back to chlorine for short periods to maintain system water quality.

The second short-term change from chloramine to chlorine disinfection 2017 will take place form Tuesday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 25.

For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/utilities or contact Pinellas County Utilities Customer Service at (727) 464-4000.

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