LCWSD receives drinking water from the Catawba River Water Treatment Plant. September 2009, LCWSD began disinfecting the drinking water with chloramines instead of chlorine. This resulted in lowering the concentration of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the system.
We have provided answers to some frequently asked questions below.
Chloramines
Disinfection is a step in the water treatment process to assure the biological safety of water. Chlorine, chloramines and other chemicals can be used as disinfectants.
The current disinfectant used is Chloramines.
During the disinfection process at the treatment plant and while the water is in the disinfection system waiting to be used, chlorine can combine with natural organic matter in the water to form compounds known as Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs), which include Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAAs).
The change is necessary for the water distribution system to meet EPA requirements. When using chloramines as a disinfectant, there are fewer chances for DBPs to be formed.
Chloramines are formed when ammonia is added to water that contains free chlorine. Depending upon the pH and the amount of ammonia, ammonia reacts to form one of three chloramines compounds.
The addition of chloramines to the disinfection process will quench the production of DBPs including THMs and HAAs. The water leaving the treatment plant and entering the distribution systems will have had the bacteria killed or inactivated, but the reaction that produces DBPs will have been stopped and the level of those chemicals in the water delivered to the customers will be substantially reduced. Additionally, there will be less of a chlorine taste and odor in the water.
Yes. Chloramines are safe. EPA accepts chloramines as a disinfectant and recognizes its ability to control DBP formation. Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and all everyday uses. For the majority of the consumers there will be no negative effects as a result of the change. However, there are two groups of people who need to take special care with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners.
Carbon filtration or water treatment products that neutralize chloramines may be used. If you use a carbon filter it must contain high quality granular activated carbon and you must permit sufficient contact time. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for replacement.
No. Salts can be caught by the permeable membranes and chloramines may pass through the membranes.
Most softeners are not designed to remove chloramines.
Fish tank owners, including hobbyists, restaurants and fish markets, who now treat for chlorines in the water, should assure that they have appropriate carbon filtration equipment or use water treatment products that neutralize chloramines. These products are readily available through pet and aquarium stores, as well as from companies that service commercial fish tanks.
No. Unlike chlorine, which breaks up when water sits for a few days, chloramines may take weeks to disappear. If you choose not to use a de-chloraminating chemical, install a granular activated carbon filter and allow sufficient contact time between the water and filter.
No. You will still need a free chlorine residual to prevent algae and bacteria growths.
Chloramines can diffuse through the reverse osmosis membrane filters utilized by some hemo-dialysis machines, and patients undergoing kidney dialysis could be adversely affected. To prevent this, dialysis equipment must be adjusted to remove chloramines and the treated water must be monitored to measure the final chloramines concentration. Dialysis facilities must review their dialysis treatment equipment to determine its continued safe operation.
Check with your physician. Often times, home dialysis service companies can make the needed modifications.
Drinking either chlorinated or chloraminated water is safe. Chlorine and chloramines are harmful only when they directly enter the bloodstream through the dialysis process. As a result, you may need to change the way water is pre-treated for dialysis. Depending on the method of chlorine removal your dialysis machine uses now, some modifications may be necessary.
In the dialysis process, the compounds in water come in contact with the blood across a permeable membrane. Chloramines in that water would be harmful, just as chlorine is harmful and must be removed from water used in kidney machines. There are two ways to do that: either by adding ascorbic acid or by using a granular-activated carbon treatment. Medical centers that perform dialysis are responsible for preparing the water that enters the dialysis machines. They are informed of this change.
Yes. All medical facilities have been notified of the change. All dialysis systems prepare the water being used for dialysis. If you have any concerns about this process, talk with your physician.
Yes, everyone can drink water containing chloramines.
Yes. People with those medical problems can use chloraminated water for all purposes.
Even large amounts of chloraminated water used in cleaning a cut would have no effect because virtually no water actually enters the blood stream that way.
Call LCWSD’s Quality Control Coordinator at 803-416-5514 or you may contact the Catawba River Water Treatment Plant at 803-286-5949.