Routine Maintenance May Alter Taste, Smell Of Pinellas County's Drinking Water

CLEARWATER, FL — Pinellas County water customers may notice a slight difference in the taste or odor of their tap water in the coming week.

The method of water treatment used by Pinellas County Utilities and the city of Clearwater will be temporarily modified during the second of two segments of water maintenance this year.

It will take place Sept. 26 to Oct. 16. (The first segment was in May and June.) This short-term change from chloramines to chlorine disinfection is a routine maintenance measure designed to maintain system integrity.

Those impacted include Pinellas County Utilities customers as well as city of Clearwater customers.

Kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted, but they 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 they should contact local pet suppliers with any questions.

This disinfection program is designed to maintain distribution system water quality and minimize the potential for future problems. The water will continue to meet federal and state standards for safe drinking water.

Pinellas County Utilities uses chloramines and periodically switches to chlorine for a short period to maintain system water quality. The county switched to chloramines in 2002 to ensure compliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards. Prior to 2002, Pinellas County used chlorine as the primary disinfectant in the water.

"The annual chlorine maintenance process continues to run smoothly every year, thanks to the cooperation and commitment from our customers," said Richard Gardner, Pinellas County Public Utilities director. "We thank our customers in advance for their patience as maintenance procedures resume."

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