TAMPA, Fla. — Heads up, Tampa residents – your tap water may taste a little different in the coming weeks.
The city will temporarily change its method of water treatment from chloramine to chlorine disinfection between Nov. 6 and Nov. 27. It may cause a slight difference in the taste or smell of tap water.
This is routine maintenance, designed to keep the quality of Tampa's drinking water consistent and to try to prevent future water contamination and other safety issues.
Currently, officials have given no indications of any significant bacterial contamination in the system. They say the maintenance is a preventative measure, and the county's water supply should continue to be safe to drink, according to federal and state standards.
Customers who are sensitive to chlorine can take several steps to minimize the effects of the change, including the following:
- Run the tap for a few minutes before using
- Fill a pitcher of water and let it sit for several hours to allow any residual chlorine to evaporate
- Consider installing a carbon filter on kitchen/bathroom faucets or shower heads or replacing existing filters with new ones
Individuals and business owners who already take special steps to remove chloramine from tap water, including dialysis centers, medical centers, and pet fish owners, will want to take the same precautions during this time.
Many communities that use chloramine have short, semi-annual periods of converting back to chlorine in order to maintain system water quality. Pinellas County underwent the same water disinfection maintenance in September.
For more information, please visit tampa.gov/ChlorineDisinfection or contact City of Tampa Utilities at 813-274-8811.