|
Notice of Transition from Free Chlorine to Chloramination for Disinfection of Water
Beginning June 27, 2005 the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority changed its method of disinfecting drinking water, from free chlorine to chloramination, a process in which ammonia is added to chlorinated water. The change is being made to continue to comply with increasingly stringent federal and state regulations on levels of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water.
Water supplied to customers at Virginia Tech, and the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, as well as some Montgomery County residents on public water systems that purchase water from the Towns, will be affected by this change.
IF YOU OWN FISH OR OTHER AQUATIC ANIMALS, you need to know that:
- Chloramines, like chlorine, are toxic to fish and other aquatic animals. Drinking chloraminated water is safe for humans because the digestive system neutralizes the chloramines. Chloramines are only harmful when they go directly into the bloodstream. Fish take chloramines directly from the water into their bloodstreams. Therefore, you will need to dechlorinate the water for your fish and other aquatic animals.
- Water conditioners specifically designed for removing chloramines are commercially available. Your pet store or pet suppliers should be able to provide you with dechloramination products and instructions.
- If you are unable to obtain these products, the following water procedure has been recommended by other cities with chloraminated water:
- Double or triple the amount of dechlorinating solution you usually add to your water.
- Then let the water sit at least 24 hours before adding it to the aquarium.
- You can test the treated water for remaining chlorine and ammonia as an extra precaution. Chlorine test kits are available from swimming pool supply stores or possibly from your pet store.
If you have any questions please contact me at the Water Authority, or call on one of the representatives listed below.
Sincerely,
Jerry Higgins
jhiggins@h2o4u.org
Other Contacts
| Town of Christiansburg |
|
Town of Blacksburg |
| Barry Helms |
|
Randy Formica |
| 540-382-6128 |
|
540-961-1126 |
| astmgr@christiansburg.org |
|
rformica@blacksburg.gov |
| |
| Montgomery County PSA |
|
Virginia Tech |
| Glenna Turner |
|
Mark Owczarski |
| 540-382-6930 |
|
540-231-5223 |
| gwturner@ntellos.net |
|
maoczar@vt.edu |
|
