Your Water Has Changed

 

On February 15, 2005, the western portion of Pasco County  converted from the use of chlorine as a water disinfectant to chloramines.  This change is being made to ensure the county meets new federal water quality standards under the National Safe Drinking Water Act.

 

The County has been phasing in the change to chloramines since May 2002, when the central portion of the County and Odessa began receiving water treated with chloramines.   The southeastern portion of Pasco County is scheduled for conversion in 2006.

 

 To view a list of subdivisions that receive chloraminated water Click Here

 

To view Chloramine Conversion Phases map: Click Here 

 

What is Chloramine?

 

The main difference between “chlorination” and “chloramination” is the presence of a small amount of ammonia in the water.

 

Chloramination is basically adding a very small amount of ammonia to water in the treatment process along with chlorine, thereby forming chloramines, or combined chlorine.

 

In Florida, chloramines are used by at least 30 water utilities including the cities of Tampa, Ft. Myers, and the Miami-Dade area.  Major US Cities such as Denver and Minneapolis have been using chloramines since the 1940’s.

But like chlorine, chloramines must be removed from the water before it is used for two specific purposes:

ü    Kidney dialysis

ü    Fish and aquatic life

Kidney Dialysis

 

Kidney dialysis patients can safely drink, cook and bathe in chloraminated water.  Chloramines are only harmful if they directly enter the bloodstream.  Since water comes in contact with the bloodstream during hemodialysis, very strict water purification standards are already being followed by the kidney dialysis industry.

 

Water purification techniques used for kidney dialysis are already designed to remove both chlorine and chloramines.  Industry standards require that a nurse, technician, or trained caregiver test for both chlorine and chloramines after the purification process to ensure that these chemicals have been removed from the water before it can be used in a dialysis machine.

 

Tampa Bay Water has notified all centers in Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties, as well as hospitals with acute dialysis facilities, of the conversion to chloramines. Pasco County has notified all centers in the affected area, as well as hospitals with acute dialysis facilities, of the conversion to chloramines.

 

Fish, Aquatic Life & Pets

Since fish and other aquatic animals take chloramines directly from the water into their bloodstreams through their gills, chloramines, just like chlorine, must be removed from water used for keeping live freshwater and saltwater fish and other aquatic life including Koi fish, lobster, shrimp, frogs, turtles, snails, clams and live coral.

Water conditioners specifically designed to remove both chlorine and chloramines are commercially available.  Pet stores and stores that sell pet supplies will be able to provide information on de-chloramination products.  While de-chlorination products will neutralize the chlorine, de-chloramination products will also neutralize the ammonia as well as the chlorine.

The process is similar to what you may already be doing to remove chlorine from your aquarium water.  Some people, however, may simply let water sit for a period of time to allow chlorine to dissipate.  Chloramines, however, will not dissipate in this manner.  A water-conditioning agent or activated carbon filter specifically designed to remove chloramines must be used according to product instructions.  Area pet stores have been notified of the change and should be able to provide information on de-chloramination products and instruction.

Chloraminated water is safe for all other pets including dogs, cats, birds, etc.

 

 

 

Can children and pregnant women drink chloraminated water?

Yes.  Everyone can drink water that contains chloramines.

Is chloraminated water safe for my swimming pool?

Yes, chloraminated water is safe for swimming pools and no additional treatment is required.  Many algae-control products contain ammonia, so in reality, many homeowners are already forming chloramines in their pools when they add these products to chlorinated pool water.  Your current test kits for total or free chlorine, as well as other tests such as pH, will not be affected by the conversion to chloramines.  Always follow your pool dealer’s recommendation for proper pool maintenance and water chemistry.

 

Will chloraminated water affect my water filtration devices or water softener?

Water filtration devices will not be affected by the conversion to chloramines.  Your filter may be designed to remove both chlorine and chloramines.  Be sure to check with the manufacturer’s instructions for chemical removal.  You may find that you will need to replace the filter cartridge and rubber o-rings on the unit slightly sooner after the conversion, but the difference should be negligible.  Be sure to follow manufacturer’s recommendations.  Most water softener resins are compatable with chlorine and amonia.  Please check with a reputable dealer to ensure your unit is compatible with chloramines.

Will I notice a difference in the taste or odor of my water?

When chloramines are used instead of chlorine, most people report an improvement in the way their drinking water tastes and smells because they no longer detect chlorine in the water.

 

Will chloraminated water affect the toilet mechanisms?

 

Chloramines may wear out the rubber inner workings of the toilet, especially mechanisms like the toilet flapper. It is advisable to inspect your toilet flapper once or twice a year to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Replacement parts are available at any hardware store and are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of water lost through toilet leaks.  For more information about toilet flappers please see http://www.toiletflapper.org/.

 

 

Additional Information:

For more information concerning the conversion to chloramines, please contact Tampa Bay Water toll-free at 1-866-INFO-H2O (463-6426), or contact Pasco County Utilities at (727) 847-8145 during normal business hours.

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List of Subdivisions/Areas Scheduled that Received Chloraminated Water in Phase II:

 

(Chloramine brochures mailed with customer bills beginning mid-January 2005)

 

Aripeka                                                      Hudson Hills

Aristida                                                       Hunters Lake

Arlington Woods                                       Hunters Ridge

Autumn Oaks                                             Jasmine Trails

Bailey’s Bluff Est.                                      Key Vista

Baywood Meadows                                  Lake Side Woodlands

Beacon Hills                                              LaVilla Gardens

Beacon Square                                         Leisure Beach

Beacon Woods                                         Meadow Oaks

Beacon Woods East                                Orchid Lakes

Bear Creek                                                Parkwood Acres

Bolton Heights                                           Pine Ridge

Briarwood                                                  Place in the Sun MHP

Cattleman’s Crossing                               Pleasure Isles

Colonial Hills                                              Quail Ridge

Country Club Estates                                Rainbow Oaks

Country Est.                                               Regency Park

Coventry Green                                         River Crossing

Cranes Roost                                            River Ridge

Cresent Forest                                         San Clemente

Deer Park                                                  Sand Bay

Elfers Square                                            Sea Pines

Embassy Hills                                           Sea Ranch

Fairway Oaks                                             Shadow Oaks

Florestate                                                  Shadow Ridge

Forest Lakes                                             Signal Cove

Forest Pointe                                            Southern Oaks

Garden Terrace                                        Spring Lake Est.

Gardens of Beacon Square                     Summer Lakes

Golden Acres                                            Summervale

Gowers Corner                                          Suncoast Lakes

Great Cypress                                           Sunshine Park

Greenbrook Est.                                        Tanglewood East

Grove Park                                                 Tanglewood MHP

Gulf Highlands                                           Tanglewood Terrace

Gulf Trace                                                 The Estates

Heritage Pines                                          Timber Greens

Holiday Hills                                               Timber Oaks

Holiday Lake Est.                                      Vista Del Mar

Windsor Mill

 

 

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List of Subdivisions/Areas that Received Chloraminated Water in Phase I

 

 

 

 

 

Central

 

Southwest

Fairways of Quail Hollow

 

Wyndham Lakes

Saddlebrook

 

Lake Parker

Double Branch

 

Odessa Industrial Park

Lake Padgett

 

Longleaf

Northwood

 

Heritage Springs

Lakes of Northwood

 

Ellington Place

Willow Bend

 

Fairway Springs

Meadow Point

 

Seven Springs

The Groves (on U.S. 41)

 

 

Lake Thomas

 

 

Oakstead

 

 

Stagecoach

 

 

Grand Oaks / Cypress Estates

 

 

Brookside

 

 

Tampa Bay Golf & Tennis

 

 

Sable Ridge

 

 

Valencia Gardens

 

 

Plantation Palms

 

 

The Oaks

 

 

Indian Lakes

 

 

Citrus Trace

 

 

Heron Cove