The press release said the North Texas Municipal Water District will be conducting its annual chlorine maintenance from March 1-29 to maintain the system and ensure high water quality. City officials said the levels of chlorine in the water have not increased and are consistent with levels found throughout the year. However, the temporary removal of ammonia during this process can make the chlorine more noticeable. Officials said the intensity of the chlorine taste and smell in water taps can depend on the distance from the treatment plant.
Despite the potentially noticeable difference in taste, officials said in the release that the water is safe to drink and "would not be expected to cause short- or long-term adverse health effects.” Nevertheless, the district suggests a number of steps residents can take to help minimize chlorine odor, taste or skin sensitivity.
These include running the tap for a few minutes before using, refrigerating water in an open pitcher for several hours, adding a slice of citrus or cucumber and letting the water sit for hours, and adding a 1,000 mg Vitamin C tablet to bath water, the release said.
Water disinfection is required to protect public health and keep water safe, according to the release. The district uses effective disinfection methods to treat the water it delivers to Richardson and roughly two million North Texans, the release said.
According to the water district, it conducts its annual chlorine maintenance operation in March due to the cooler temperatures when compared to summer, when hotter temperatures can increase the potential for bacterial growth in pipes. The water district’s normal disinfection process includes treating the water at the plant before adding disinfectant to maintain water quality as it travels long distances through pipes to homes and businesses. Both steps are needed to keep the tap water free of harmful microorganisms, such as parasites and viruses.
Ongoing water testing required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is performed during the maintenance operation and made available to the public. During the 2018 change in disinfectant, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality conducted additional independent testing and confirmed the North Texas water district surpassed all safe water requirements, the release said.
For more information, visit www.ntmwd.com/safewater.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify information about the annual maintenance from the North Texas Municipal Water District.
