Smell, Taste Of Tampa Water May Change

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Water Department customers may soon notice slight changes to the taste and odor of what comes out of their taps. The city has announced plans to modify its disinfection process from chloramines to chlorine between June 2-16.

“This temporary conversion is a standard water system maintenance measure to optimize water quality without the loss of millions of gallons of drinking water via system flushing,” water department officials explained in an email to media.

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Customers affected by the disinfection change may notice slight changes in the smell and taste of their water while chlorine is in use, the department said.

“The level of chlorine will be 2.5 to 3.5 milligrams per liter for most customers,” the email noted. These are the very same levels the city used to treat Tampa’s drinking water for more than 50 years before chloramine disinfection was introduced in the 1980s.

Throughout the period the disinfection change will take place, water department staff will conduct testing to monitor the quality of water, the city said.

“Health officials advise that kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted by the chlorine treatment but anyone with special health concerns is encouraged to contact their health care provider with questions about their health care,” the email added.

People with keep fish as pets who already have systems in place to remove chloramines from pond or tank water should not be affected, the city said. Folks who are concerned about the impact the temporary change may have on their fish, however, are advised to talk with local pet care experts.

To find out more about the temporary change, visit the water department online.

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