Miami-Dade residents may notice chlorine taste, smell during temporary water treatment change
Key Points(5)
- Miami-Dade County residents may notice a chlorine taste or smell in their tap water beginning September 28 as the county temporarily changes its drinking water disinfection process.
- The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) said its annual chlorine conversion will run from September 28 through October 11 as part of routine maintenance of the county’s water distribution system.
- During the two-week period, the department will use free chlorine instead of chloramine, the combined form of chlorine normally used to disinfect the drinking water supply.
- Some customers may notice a stronger chlorine taste or smell during the conversion, but county officials said the temporary condition is not expected to cause adverse health effects.
- However, dialysis patients are advised to contact their doctors for guidance.
Miami-Dade County residents may notice a chlorine taste or smell in their tap water beginning September 28 as the county temporarily changes its drinking water disinfection process.
The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) said its annual chlorine conversion will run from September 28 through October 11 as part of routine maintenance of the county’s water distribution system.
During the two-week period, the department will use free chlorine instead of chloramine, the combined form of chlorine normally used to disinfect the drinking water supply.
WASD said free chlorine is an effective method of cleansing water distribution systems and that the temporary change has been conducted annually in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County and the county’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources for more than 40 years.
Some customers may notice a stronger chlorine taste or smell during the conversion, but county officials said the temporary condition is not expected to cause adverse health effects.
However, dialysis patients are advised to contact their doctors for guidance. Owners of tropical fish and businesses with fish-holding tanks, including restaurants and stores, are also encouraged to consult aquarium maintenance professionals.
Residents may also see WASD employees flushing water lines throughout the county to ensure the treatment reaches the entire distribution system.
The process could result in brief periods of lower-than-normal water pressure or cloudy water. Residents who encounter cloudy water are advised to let their taps run for three to five minutes until the water becomes clear.
WASD said the cloudiness is temporary and does not affect water quality.
Customers with water-quality questions who live north of Southwest Eighth Street can contact the department’s Laboratory Division at 786-552-4738. Those living south of Southwest Eighth Street can call 786-552-4181.
The county’s normal water disinfection process is expected to resume after the chlorine conversion ends October 11.
