Does Your Tap Water Taste Different? It May Be Chlorine

NEW TAMPA, FL -- Does your tap water taste different today? Some Hillsborough County water customers may notice a slight difference in the taste and odor of their drinking water today.

A temporary Tampa Water Department conversion is expected to affect certain Hillsborough County water customers April 16-30.

The Tampa Water Department is modifying its disinfection method for City of Tampa customers and the modification is expected to affect Hillsborough County water customers in the following neighborhoods:

· East Lake

· Fairview

· Herschel Heights

· Pebble Creek

· Seaboard/Clair Mel

From April 16 – 30, water distributed to these neighborhoods will be converted from chloramine to chlorine disinfection. This temporary conversion is a standard water system maintenance measure to optimize water quality without the loss of millions of gallons of drinking water via system flushing. The system will return to chloramines by April 30.

The chlorine may change the taste and odor of drinking water in the affected areas. The level of chlorine will be 2.5 to 3.5 milligrams per liter for most customers.

During the treatment period, the Tampa Water Department will conduct daily testing to monitor water quality and assess the effectiveness of the temporary change in disinfection method.

Health officials say customers, including kidney dialysis patients, should not be impacted by the chlorine treatment. Customers with any health questions or concerns are encouraged to contact their health-care provider.

Customers who keep fish for a hobby and already have a system in place to remove chloramines from tank or pond water should not be affected.

Customers with questions regarding aquarium or pond maintenance during the temporary treatment phase should contact their local pet care providers.

For additional information, customers may contact Hillsborough County’s Water Quality line at (813) 264-3835.

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