The Tampa Water Department will temporarily change its water disinfection process to chlorine between September 7-28, 2021. During this period, the department will use chlorine instead of chloramine to disinfect the water distributed to all Water Department customers.
Key Facts
- The upcoming switch will affect our secondary-disinfection process and is a routine switchover that protects the quality of drinking water by preventing bacteria from occurring in our water lines.
- It also offers a sustainable alternative to losing millions of gallons of drinking water by releasing water via the City’s hydrants to clean out the water lines.
- The Department has conducted this change in our secondary disinfection process since 2017.
Potential Taste and Odor Impacts:
Customers who are sensitive to chlorine may notice a stronger smell or taste of chlorine during this switchover period. To minimize this effect, the Tampa Water Department recommends:
- 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.
Populations with Special Considerations:
Individuals and business owners who already take special steps to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, will want to take the same precautions during this temporary switch to chlorine.
This temporary conversion is different from the August 26th announcement stemming from the lack of liquid oxygen delivery to the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility. The Water Department uses liquid oxygen to create ozone, a powerful disinfectant that is added to the water to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. However, since liquid oxygen is currently under very high demand at local hospitals due to the COVID pandemic, the Water Department changed its primary-disinfection method from ozone to chlorine.
For more information, contact City of Tampa Utilities at (813) 274-8811, Option 2, or visit tampa.gov/ChlorineDisinfection
For additional information, contact:
Chuck Weber, P.E., Water Department Director
Office: (813) 274-8663
Cell: (813) 480-3159
Fax: (813) 231-1325
Email: Chuck.Weber@TampaGov.net