To maintain high water quality in the county’s water distribution system, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department will temporarily modify the disinfection process used to treat drinking water.
The county will use a somewhat stronger disinfection process to produce chlorine residual instead of a chloramine residual from July 15 to Aug. 16. Hydrant flushing will also be increased as a preventive maintenance process.
Customers served by the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in their tap water during this period. These temporary conditions will not cause adverse health effects.
Residents who are especially sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine are advised to keep an open container of drinking water in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
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. The method for removing chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water.
The process will not affect utility customers in Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay. For more information, call the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department at (561) 740-4600 and select option 3.
