Update-Free Chlorine Conversion

Good Afternoon,

We are currently on day 5 of our Conversion from Chloramine disinfection to Free Chlorine. This is commonly called a burn, please see TCEQ’s description of the process below:

A free chlorine conversion (also referred to as a “chlorine burn”) occurs when a water system that typically uses chloramine removes ammonia (needed to form chloramine) from the treatment process and disinfects the water with only chlorine. Chlorine is more effective than chloramine at inactivating certain types of bacteria. Excess ammonia, which can accumulate in a chloramine-treated distribution system over time, is a source of food for specific types of bacteria that are harmless to people. These bacteria can make it difficult for public water systems to maintain a disinfectant residual, which means that microorganisms that are harmful to people can grow. The “chlorine burn” is a common practice by many public water systems throughout the country to reduce the number of bacteria so that a satisfactory disinfectant residual can be maintained throughout the distribution system. Chlorine conversions can be used as a preventative strategy or to stop nitrification (the microbial process that converts ammonia and similar nitrogen compounds into nitrite and nitrate), which can diminish water quality.

The conversion is going well, and flushing continues throughout the system.  As the Free Chlorine reaches our immediate area it should start purging the system and you may experience some discolored water.   We are hopeful this process will be completed within the next 1-2 weeks.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this “burn” together.

Bruce Sorenson

General Manager