Utilities to Conduct Water System MaintenanceThe method of water treatment utilized by Pinellas County Utilities and its wholesale customers will be temporarily modified from July 29 through Sept. 11, resulting in a switch from chloramine to chlorine disinfection. This annual maintenance program typically begins at the end of August, but it has become difficult to maintain consistent water quality due to the unusually warm weather along with the reduction in potable water use. Therefore, the maintenance will begin earlier than originally planned. This short-term change is a routine maintenance measure designed to optimize water quality. Those impacted by this maintenance program include Pinellas County Utilities customers as well as customers in the cities of Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs and Oldsmar. Many communities using chloramine annually utilize chlorine for a short period to maintain system water quality. Pinellas County Utilities switched to chloramine in 2002 when Tampa Bay Water changed the disinfectant in the water supplied to Pinellas County. Kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted, but should contact their dialysis care provider for more information about chlorine treatment. Fish owners should not be affected if they already have a system in place to remove chloramines, but should contact local pet suppliers with any questions. Customers will not experience low pressure or disruption of service. The water will continue to meet Federal and State standards for safe drinking water. Customers may notice a slight difference in taste and/or odor of the water during this temporary change in treatment. Conditions experienced by Utilities customers will be identical to the more than 50 years prior to 2002 when chlorine was used as the primary disinfectant in the water. For more information, visit Pinellas County Utilities or contact Pinellas County Utilities Customer Service at (727) 464-4000.
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