 Second Disinfectant Switch of the Year Starts August 15 and Ends October 3
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August 6, Â 2022
EVANSVILLE, IND. – Starting August 15 and continuing until October 3, 2022, Evansville
Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) will temporarily switch the disinfectant used in the water
treatment process to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe drinking water to EWSU
customers. During the switch, you may notice a slight change in the odor of your tap water.
The switch to free chlorine from the regularly used disinfectant chloramine is a standard
preventative maintenance practice water utilities use to keep water mains clean and free of
potentially harmful bacteria throughout the year. EWSU switches disinfectants twice a year.Â
The first switchover occurred from May 16 through July 5.
Here’s what you should know
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What is Chloramine?
Chloramine is a disinfectant used in drinking water to remove bacteria and viruses
that can make you sick. It is made up of chlorine and ammonia. EWSU has used
chloramine as the disinfectant in its water treatment process since 1999.
that can make you sick. It is made up of chlorine and ammonia. EWSU has used
chloramine as the disinfectant in its water treatment process since 1999.
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What is Free Chlorine?
Free chlorine is a slightly more potent disinfectant than chloramine, and it is used
to remove more resistant bacteria and viruses that may be found in the water
distribution system.
to remove more resistant bacteria and viruses that may be found in the water
distribution system.
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Why would EWSU Convert from Chloramines to Free Chlorine?
State drinking water guidelines recommend that utilities that use chloramine
periodically switch to free chlorine for a while. The temporary use of chlorine will
ensure that a proper disinfectant level is maintained throughout the network of
water mains and pipes that deliver your drinking water.
periodically switch to free chlorine for a while. The temporary use of chlorine will
ensure that a proper disinfectant level is maintained throughout the network of
water mains and pipes that deliver your drinking water.
Free chlorine is a more aggressive disinfectant than chloramine. This temporary
change in the water treatment process denies bacteria the ability to form a resistanceÂ
change in the water treatment process denies bacteria the ability to form a resistanceÂ
to the usual disinfection treatment process. Switching to free chlorine is a proactiveÂ
step to maintain optimal disinfectant levels in the water distribution
system.
system.
As always, the drinking water will be regularly monitored to ensure that the water
delivered meets or exceeds federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
delivered meets or exceeds federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
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Why Does EWSU Use Chloramines Most of the Year?
While chlorine is an effective disinfectant, chlorine alone creates byproducts that
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates. These byproduct levels can
be significantly and cost-effectively reduced through the use of chloramine. Also,
chloramine has less smell than chlorine and remains in the distribution system
longer to prevent bacterial growth. As such, chloramine is a better long-term
choice as a regular disinfectant.
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates. These byproduct levels can
be significantly and cost-effectively reduced through the use of chloramine. Also,
chloramine has less smell than chlorine and remains in the distribution system
longer to prevent bacterial growth. As such, chloramine is a better long-term
choice as a regular disinfectant.
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Will I Notice a Difference in My Water?
During this period, some customers may notice a slight change in the taste or odor
of their tap water. Free chlorine may have more of a chemical odor, slightly like
that of swimming pool water. Each customer has a sensitivity level to the taste
or odor of free chlorine. Many detect no change at all. The mild chlorine taste and
odor are typical and pose no health risk.
of their tap water. Free chlorine may have more of a chemical odor, slightly like
that of swimming pool water. Each customer has a sensitivity level to the taste
or odor of free chlorine. Many detect no change at all. The mild chlorine taste and
odor are typical and pose no health risk.
Are Free Chlorine and Chloraminated Water Safe?
Yes, chlorine and chloramine are effective and safe for people and animals for
drinking, cooking, bathing, watering the garden, and other standard uses.
However, precautions should be taken to remove or neutralize chloramine and free
chlorine during the kidney dialysis process, when preparing water for fish tanks
and ponds and businesses requiring highly-processed water. A dechlorination
procedure optimized for chloramine removal will work equally well with free
chlorine.
drinking, cooking, bathing, watering the garden, and other standard uses.
However, precautions should be taken to remove or neutralize chloramine and free
chlorine during the kidney dialysis process, when preparing water for fish tanks
and ponds and businesses requiring highly-processed water. A dechlorination
procedure optimized for chloramine removal will work equally well with free
chlorine.
People and businesses that typically take special precautions to remove
chloramine from tap water (such as dialysis centers, medical facilities, and aquatic
pet owners) should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary
switch from chloramine to free chlorine.
chloramine from tap water (such as dialysis centers, medical facilities, and aquatic
pet owners) should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary
switch from chloramine to free chlorine.
Most customers will not need to take precautions as the water remains safe to
drink and is treated according to state and federal standards.
drink and is treated according to state and federal standards.
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Information for Kidney Dialysis Patients
Just like chloramines, free chlorine must be removed from water used in kidney
dialysis machines. EWSU has contacted representatives from the medical
community to inform them of this temporary conversion. We advise dialysis
patients to call their physicians or dialysis centers if there are any questions.
dialysis machines. EWSU has contacted representatives from the medical
community to inform them of this temporary conversion. We advise dialysis
patients to call their physicians or dialysis centers if there are any questions.
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Information for Fish Owners
Like chloramine, free chlorine is toxic to fish. Therefore, fish owners need to
remove chlorine, ammonia, and chloramine from the water before using it with
tropical fish. Local pet stores carry water conditioners that remove chloramine and
free chlorine. If customers have questions, we recommend contacting their pet
store for information and detailed instructions.
remove chlorine, ammonia, and chloramine from the water before using it with
tropical fish. Local pet stores carry water conditioners that remove chloramine and
free chlorine. If customers have questions, we recommend contacting their pet
store for information and detailed instructions.
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