Over the next six weeks, PWC customers may notice a slight discoloration, changes in taste or odor or small bubbles in their water, but they should not be alarmed: the water is still safe to drink.
These abnormalities are a natural result of PWC cleaning its pipes and treating its water with chlorine instead of the usual disinfectant combination of ammonia and chlorine (chloramination). The changeover begins Friday and will last until April 14, PWC said in a public notice.
“This annual one-time pause ensures that any biological growth within the distribution system is controlled,” PWC stated in the notice. “This practice is part of our ongoing commitment to providing safe and clean water to our community.”
Other pertinent information:
- All PWC customers may experience effects from the changeover, including residents of Fort Bragg and Spring Lake, as well as customers of the Harnett Regional Water and Hoke County Utilities.
- Because traces of ammonia may still be present in the water during the changeover, individuals who normally treat their water to remove chloramines should continue to do so. This includes dialysis patients and fish owners.
The changeover is necessary to ensure the removal of biofilm in the water distribution system and prevent nitrification in the water. According to PWC, the changes in odor or taste can be attributed to the use of free chlorine, as well as any minerals or metals that have built up in the water main walls being washed out. The bubbles customers may notice are a result of PWC using fire hydrants to flush out the water lines.
Residents who have concerns about their water during or after the changeover are encouraged to contact PWC’s customer service line at 910-483-1382.
Contact Evey Weisblat at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608. This story was made possible by donations from readers like you to CityView News Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to an informed democracy in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
