Chloramine In Your Drinking Water

Your water has changed

To ensure the county meets new federal water quality standards under the National Safe Drinking Water Act we have been phasing in the use of chloramines to disinfect the water supply. This process is called Chloramination.  Chloramination is basically adding a small amount of ammonia (less than one part per million) to water in the treatment process along with chlorine, thereby forming chloramines, or combined chlorine.

In Florida, chloramines are used by at least 30 water utilities including the cities of Tampa, Ft. Myers, and the Miami-Dade area.  Major US Cities such as Denver and Minneapolis have been using chloramines since the 1940's.

Chloramines must be removed from the water before it is used for two specific purposes:

• Kidney Dialysis
• Fish and aquatic life

Kidney Dialysis:

Kidney dialysis patients can safely drink, cook and bathe in chloraminated water.  Chloramines are only harmful if they directly enter the bloodstream.  Since water comes in contact with the bloodstream during hemodialysis, very strict water purification standards are already being followed by the kidney dialysis industry.

Water purification techniques used for kidney dialysis are already designed to remove both chlorine and chloramines.  Industry standards require that a nurse, technician, or trained caregiver test for both chlorine and chloramines after the purification process to ensure that these chemicals have been removed from the water before it can be used in a dialysis machine.

Tampa Bay Water has notified all centers in Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties, as well as hospitals with acute dialysis facilities, of the conversion to chloramines. Pasco County has notified all centers in the affected area, as well as hospitals with acute dialysis facilities, of the conversion to chloramines.

Fish and Aquatic Life:

Since fish and other aquatic animals take chloramines directly from the water into their bloodstreams through their gills, chloramines, just like chlorine, must be removed from water used for keeping live freshwater and saltwater fish and other aquatic life including Koi fish, lobster, shrimp, frogs, turtles, snails, clams and live coral.

Water conditioners specifically designed to remove both chlorine and chloramines are commercially available.  Pet stores and stores that sell pet supplies will be able to provide information on de-chloramination products.  While de-chlorination products will neutralize the chlorine, de-chloramination products will also neutralize the ammonia as well as the chlorine.

The process is similar to what you may already be doing to remove chlorine from your aquarium water.  Some people, however, may simply let water sit for a period of time to allow chlorine to dissipate.  Chloramines, however, will not dissipate in this manner.  A water-conditioning agent or activated carbon filter specifically designed to remove chloramines must be used according to product instructions.  Area pet stores have been notified of the change and should be able to provide information on de-chloramination products and instruction.

Chloraminated water is safe for all other pets including dogs, cats, birds, etc.

FAQs on Chloramines:

Can children and pregnant women drink chloraminated water?
Yes.  Everyone can drink water that contains chloramines.

Is chloraminated water safe for my swimming pool?
Yes, chloraminated water is safe for swimming pools and no additional treatment is required.  Many algae-control products contain ammonia, so in reality, many homeowners are already forming chloramines in their pools when they add these products to chlorinated pool water.  Your current test kits for total or free chlorine, as well as other tests such as pH, will not be affected by the conversion to chloramines.  Always follow your pool dealer's recommendation for proper pool maintenance and water chemistry.

Will chloraminated water affect my water filtration devices or water softener?
Water filtration devices will not be affected by the conversion to chloramines.  Your filter may be designed to remove both chlorine and chloramines.  Be sure to check with the manufacturer’s instructions for chemical removal.  You may find that you will need to replace the filter cartridge and rubber o-rings on the unit slightly sooner after the conversion, but the difference should be negligible.  Be sure to follow manufacturer's recommendations.  Most water softener resins are compatible with chlorine and ammonia.  Please check with a reputable dealer to ensure your unit is compatible with chloramines.

Will I notice a difference in the taste or odor of my water?
When chloramines are used instead of chlorine, most people report an improvement in the way their drinking water tastes and smells because they no longer detect chlorine in the water.

Will chloraminated water affect the toilet mechanisms?
Chloramines may wear out the rubber inner workings of the toilet, especially mechanisms like the toilet flapper. It is advisable to inspect your toilet flapper once or twice a year to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Replacement parts are available at any hardware store and are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of water lost through toilet leaks.  For more information about toilet flappers please see http://www.toiletflapper.org/.

Additional Information:

For more information concerning chloramines, please contact Tampa Bay Water toll-free at 1-866-INFO-H2O (463-6426), or contact Pasco County Utilities at (727) 847-8145 during normal business hours.