| Q: |
Why is the Water Authority Changing Disinfection Methods? |
| A: |
Chlorine reacts with natural organics in raw water to form disinfection by-products, such as Haloacetic Acids (HAA). Some of the by-products may pose a health risk over a lifetime of exposure. Future standards for disinfection by-products are still uncertain, but are expected to become more stringent. Therefore, action is being taken now to ensure these federal regulations are met and to continue providing high quality drinking water to customers. |
| |
| Q: |
What is the difference between the old disinfection process and the new? |
| A: |
Currently free chlorine is used to disinfect your drinking water. However, the longer free chlorine is in contact with organics in the water, the more disinfection by-products form. By adding a small amount of ammonia, the free chlorine is converted to Chloramine, which decreases the formation of by-products over time. |
| |
| Q: |
Is this a new technology? |
| A: |
No. Chloramination has been used successfully in cities across the country. The City of Richmond, Fairfax County, and the Tidewater region are successful examples of how chloramination works. |
| |
| Q: |
Will chloramination affect my plumbing? |
| A: |
No. |
| |
| Q: |
Will chloramination have an effect on water purifiers? |
| A: |
Yes. Carbon filters may need to be changed more frequently. |
| |
| Q: |
What affects will there be on my lawn and garden? |
| A: |
None. |
| |
| Q: |
Will it affect swimming pools? |
| A: |
No. |
| |
| Q: |
Will it affect my fish? |
| A: |
Yes. 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 bloodstream. Therefore, you will need to dechlorinate the water for your fish and other aquatic animals. |
| |
| Q: |
Why are chloramines potentially harmful to dialysis patients? |
| A: |
The residual chloramine that remains in the water, like the current chlorine residual in your water, is toxic to the dialysis user if not properly removed. Some modifications may be necessary to a dialysis patient’s current method of chlorine removal and that person should contact their physician to determine appropriate measures. |
| |
| Q: |
Will it affect my medication or baby’s formula? |
| A: |
No. |
| |
| Q: |
Will it affect photo finishing? |
| A: |
No. |
| |
| Q: |
Will I notice the difference? |
| A: |
Chloramines produce less taste and odor in the water; therefore, you may actually notice an improvement in the taste and odor of your water. However, you may notice some unfamiliar odors or tastes for only a few days when the change from chlorine to chloramines first occurs. Also, the chloramination process may involve periodically switching to free chlorine to flush the system. When this occurs, you may notice a different smell or taste; however, this is normal and the water is safe to use for cooking, drinking, bathing, and other daily uses. |
| |
| Q: |
Is chloraminated water safe for cleaning cuts and scrapes? |
| A: |
Yes. |
| |
