Palm Bay Water Conversion Will Improves Quality
By Space Coast Daily // June 26, 2013
will cause slight change in taste
ABOVE VIDEO: A look at the Palm Bay Utilities Department.
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – For the next month, Palm Bay water customers may experience a slight change in the taste, smell and appearance of their water due to system changes and improvements. These system changes will not cause any adverse health effects.
“To ensure that the drinking water supplied to its customers is the highest quality possible, the City of Palm Bay Utilities Department will temporarily change its method of disinfection,” said City of Palm Bay spokesperson Yvonne Martinez. “The City normally uses chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia.”
HYDRANT FLUSHING PROGRAM
Beginning Tuesday, July 2 and continuing through Sunday, August 4, the Palm Bay Utilities Department will convert to free chlorine treatment for its entire water distribution system. This maintenance process is widely used among public water systems to maintain water quality.
On August 5, the treatment plant will transition back to using chloramines. The City is also initiating a systematic and controlled hydrant flushing program.
“During this conversion, customers may experience a slight change in the taste and smell of the water,” said Martinez.
“The City’s water will remain safe for drinking and other normal uses. Free chlorine provides a somewhat stronger disinfection process than chloramines. Periodically changing to free chlorine provides additional protection against bacteria and helps ensure that the water remains safe and free of bacteria.”
During the months of May and June, monthly tests for total coliform on the City’s water system were above the allowable drinking water standard.
“Palm Bay Utilities Department has decided that the most effective way to reduce total coliform in the distribution system is to temporarily convert to free chlorine disinfection,” said Dan Roberts, City of Palm Bay Utilities Director.
“The use of free chlorine disinfection coupled with unidirectional flushing is an American Water Works Association accepted and encouraged process.”
NO NEED TO BOIL OR FILTER WATER
Should customers experience an unusual chlorine taste during this period there is no need to boil the water, purchase a water filter, or purchase bottled water. Simply draw a container of tap water, place it in the refrigerator and allow it to set a few hours. This will allow much of the chlorine to leave the water.
Should customers experience an unusual chlorine taste during this period there is no need to boil the water, purchase a water filter, or purchase bottled water. Simply draw a container of tap water, place it in the refrigerator and allow it to set a few hours. This will allow much of the chlorine to leave the water.
Customers who use kidney dialysis machines should be aware that their water may contain chlorine, ammonia, or a mixture of the two during this period. Care must be taken to remove all traces of chlorine and chloramines from water used in dialysis machines.
Other specialized users of water such as tropical fish owners, businesses, hospitals, assisted care facilities, and blood/dialysis clinics, may need to make adjustments in their operations in order to continue to maintain their present water quality parameters. To condition tap water for use in an aquarium, fish owners should use dechlorinating products recommended for neutralizing both combined and free chlorine.
TEMPORARY DISCOLORATION
Throughout the next month, Palm Bay Utilities Department also will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the City, and as a result, customers may notice a temporary discoloration to the water. Running the water at the tap for one to two minutes should remedy this temporary occurrence.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT the Palm Bay Utilities Department at 321-726-2600 or via email at water@pbfl.org
