Palm Beach County to flush pipes with chlorine

In order to maintain high water quality in the county’s water distribution system, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD) will temporarily modify the disinfection process used to treat drinking water from Monday, November 27 through Saturday, December 23.

Stronger disinfectant

PBCWUD will use a stronger disinfectant process to produce chlorine residual instead of a chloramine residual during the preventive maintenance process. Customers served by PBCWUD may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in their tap water during this period. These temporary conditions will not cause any adverse health effects.

Those who are especially sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine can keep an open container of drinking water in their refrigerators for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.

Seek professional advice

Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish, and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional advice as the method of removing chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water.

Anyone needing more information on this change in the water treatment process may call the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department at (561) 740-4600, option #1.

To find the most up-to-date information concerning the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department water distribution and wastewater collection systems, follow the department on Facebook and Twitter @PBCWUD.

For more on Palm Beach County initiatives, click the link: PBC launches challenge to end homeless youth