DC, Arlington, Fairfax chlorine spike coming

[Jeff721]

https://www.dcwater.com/news/listings/press_release713.cfm

Spring Cleaning begins in the Region’s Drinking Water Pipes

Mar 18, 2015 -- From March 23 through May 4, 2015, the disinfectant in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine.

The annual switch in water disinfection is part of a routine program to clean and maintain drinking water systems in the District of Columbia, Arlington County and the northeastern portion of Fairfax County. During the temporary switch to chlorine, local water authorities will also conduct system-wide flushing to enhance water quality. This program is a common practice for many U.S. water systems that use chloramine during the majority of the year.

The Washington Aqueduct is the organization responsible for treating and disinfecting drinking water for its wholesale customers: DC Water, Arlington County, and Fairfax Water. Local water authorities are responsible for monitoring drinking water to ensure chlorine levels continue to meet safe target levels.

Individuals and business owners who 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 to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine. Individuals with special health concerns should consult a health care provider on the use of tap water.

During this time, individuals may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating tap water to reduce the chlorine taste and odor. Water filters are also effective for reducing chlorine taste and odor. For more information, please contact the appropriate water authority.

DC Water: 202-612-3440 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) or 202-612-3400 (24-hour)

Arlington County: 703-228-6570 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) or 703-228-6555 (24-hour)

Fairfax Water: 703-698-5800 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) or 703-698-5613 (24-hour)

 

[chriscoli]

Anyone know if Maryland does this too? I notice a "skunky" smell to our water periodically and have always wondered if this were some sort of a chemical flush that they were doing.

 

[Becca]

Anyone know if Maryland does this too? I notice a "skunky" smell to our water periodically and have always wondered if this were some sort of a chemical flush that they were doing.

Huh - I always thought I was imagining that! More than a few times I've turned on the tap, looked at my husband and said, "Do you smell that? The water smells like weed!" and he always looks at me like I'm nuts.

 

[mchambers]

Montgomery County uses chlorine, not chloramine, so it couldn't do a switch to chlorine. Wonder what it does?

 

[Localzoo]

Huh - I always thought I was imagining that! More than a few times I've turned on the tap, looked at my husband and said, "Do you smell that? The water smells like weed!" and he always looks at me like I'm nuts.

Lol that's a conversation for a different forum ehh hmmm ...
I do believe they do the same in MoCo and other parts of MD I can try look up more specifics when I get home


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[Jt731]

Skunky or sulfurous?

http://www.fredericktownelabs.com/residential-services/residential-faqs/

 

[chriscoli]

To my sense of smell, it's definitely skunky, not sulfurous, but those are related scents (skunk being sulfurous in nature too) so someone else might describe it as sulfurous. To me, it's not not the scent of elemental sulfur.


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