WEST PALM BEACH — In order to maintain compliance with regulatory water quality requirements in the water distribution system, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD) will temporarily modify its water disinfection process between Thursday, July 8 and Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Periodic modifications to the water disinfection process are a recommended practice as a precautionary measure to maintain high water quality in the county’s water distribution system. Please note this is routine maintenance.

The modification will entail the use of free chlorine as opposed to chloramines during the three-week period. The use of free chlorine has been used to help provide safe drinking water in the United States for over 100 years and is a stronger disinfectant than chloramines since chloramines is the combination of using both chlorine and ammonia. As always, PBCWUD follows the Environmental Protection Agency regulations throughout the process, ensuring that the chlorine levels pose no expected health risk.

Customers served by PBCWUD may notice a slight chlorine taste and odor during this period. These conditions are temporary and 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.

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 because the method of removing free chlorine residuals are different from removing chloramines residuals.

Anyone needing more information on this temporary change in the water disinfection process is advised to call PBCWUD 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.