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Chloramine Facts
Making Drinking Water Quality Even Better
Starting September 5, 2006 the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District will be upgrading its drinking water disinfection process. Chloramine disinfection will replace the current chlorine disinfection. Both chemicals are safe and effective methods of water disinfection approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Health Services (CDHS). The chloramination process is accomplished by treating water with a compound of ammonia and chlorine, as opposed to the current procedure that uses only chlorine. Even though the chloramination procedure is a more popular and simple method of water disinfection, it may require changes on behalf of some of our customers. Customers may notice EVMWD staff flushing fire hydrants throughout the district and may notice a slight change in the taste and odor of their tap water. The conversion should only take a few days. | |
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Why is EVMWD switching from chlorine to chloramines for disinfection?There are several advantages to using chloramines. The most important one is the improvement in the taste and odor of the water. Chloraminated water has much less objectionable taste and odor than chlorinated water. Water treated with chloramines will form less disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes, which are suspected carcinogens. Chloramine has the ability to sustain itself in the water longer than chlorine, thus providing consistent bacterial control.
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Will home water treatment units remove chloramines?Removal of chloramines by home water treatment units will depend on the unit design. In-home water filtration unites do not remove chloramines completely. In any case, removal of chloramines may not be necessary, since they are safe for the general population to consume.
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What are the effects of chloramines on swimming pools?The effects of chloramines on swimming pools should be minor. When a pool is first filled with chloraminiated water, care should be exercised to use the proper method if residual is desired. Pool owners may need to check pool chemicals more frequently until the residuals stabilize.
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When will the switch from chlorine to chloramines take place?EVMWD anticipates the change to chloramines by July, 2005.
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What are the benefits of chloramine water treatment?
- Improved water taste, odor
- More residual in distributions system to continue disinfecting longer
- Lower disinfection by products
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Chloramine disinfection method is safer and will produce better tasting water, but may affect the following:
- Kidney dialysis patients – seek advise from your doctor
- Aquatic creatures – check with your local pet store
- Medical laboratories
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