TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa residents may soon notice a slight change in the smell and taste of their water as temporary changes are coming to the city's disinfection process, the Tampa Water Department announced Wednesday.
Officials say this is part of routine maintenance to preserve the city's water quality and assure that it will continue to meet all state and federal standards during this process.
The department says it is using chlorine instead of monochloramine for its treatment process, which may cause a change in the water's smell and taste.
"This is a common practice for water utilities throughout the Tampa Bay region, and around the country, to maintain their water systems," the department wrote in a news release.
If you are sensitive to chlorine, Tampa Water Department officials suggest taking these steps to minimize the impact of the switch:
- Running the tap a few minutes before every use
- Filling a pitcher of water and letting it sit for several hours to allow any residual chlorine to evaporate
- Installing a carbon filter on kitchen/bathroom faucets or shower heads or replacing existing filters with new ones
Leaders say customers and businesses who take special steps to remove monochloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, will also want to take the same precautions during this time.
The disinfection process starts Monday, Sept. 16, and goes until Monday, Oct. 7.