Durham water might have different color, taste in March

From Feb. 28 through April 1, the city's Water Management Department will temporarily stop adding ammonia as part of the water treatment disinfection process in order to meet annual state and federal water requirements. During that time, only chlorine will be used for disinfection.

The department’s Water and Sewer Maintenance Division will also begin flushing the entire water system to allow chlorine to disperse throughout the system. System flushing will begin in the evening of March 3.

Although most of the flushing will be conducted Sundays through Thursdays between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize the impact, customers should expect to see crews flushing during regular business hours as well. During the three-week flushing process, staff will start working in the north and south sides of the city and progress toward the center of the city.

During the process, residents might notice slight discoloration in their water when crews are working in their neighborhoods.

Residents receiving kidney dialysis treatment as well as aquarium and pond owners should continue to take special precautions to remove traces of ammonia and chlorine from the water prior to using it.

Residents should also check their water before washing white clothing. If water discoloration occurs, customers should run their water for a few minutes until it becomes clear. If water discoloration persists, contact the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division at 919-560-4344.

Durham has been using chloramination as the disinfection process since January 2002. Chloramination uses both ammonia and chlorine to disinfect water and reduces the formation of disinfection by-products in the water distribution system. City water treatment plant staff will resume adding ammonia into the disinfection process on April 1.

Several other neighboring water providers, including Cary, Raleigh and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, will be carrying out the same temporary disinfection process change and system flushing during the same time period.