Water taste & smell may change in Brunswick County during fall flushing program
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County Public Utilities will temporarily switch its water disinfectant from chloramines to free chlorine starting Oct. 1 through November as part of its annual water main flushing program, according to a public notice from the utility.
The change is required annually by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to promote effective disinfection throughout the water distribution system, the notice said. Free chlorine is more effective than the combined chlorine used the rest of the year at reacting with sediment stirred up during flushing and at controlling bacteria that can affect water’s taste and odor, according to the utility.
During the flushing program, crews open fire hydrants to flow water freely, clearing sediment from the system’s more than 1,440 miles of water lines and over 8,161 fire hydrants, the notice said. The process may cause temporary discoloration or sediment in tap water, which the utility said is not harmful.
Depending on location within the distribution system, it could take seven to 10 days for water to transition from combined chlorine to free chlorine at the start of the program, according to the notice.
Customers may notice a change in the taste or smell of their water during this period. The utility recommends keeping an open container of water in the refrigerator to allow chlorine to dissipate, changing the water weekly.
The notice also cautions aquarium and pond owners to test water before adding it to tanks or ponds, and to use chemical additives available at pet supply stores to remove chlorine if needed. Kidney dialysis clinics and patients using home dialysis equipment should also be aware of the change, according to the utility.
