Public Utilities

Chloramines

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Chlorine Maintenance Program

Special care for dialysis patients and aquatic life

About Chloramines

An Important Message from City of Clearwater

UPDATED! - Chlorine Maintenance Program Begins

City of Clearwater water customers will be affected by Pinellas County’s Chlorine Maintenance Program, which begins May 29 and continues through June 17, 2013. During this time, Pinellas County Utilities conducts a routine maintenance program on the water system in order to optimize water quality.

Customers will not experience low pressure or disruption of service. The water will continue to meet Federal and State standards for safe drinking water. The only noticeable change may be a slight difference in the taste and/or odor of the water.

The drinking water distribution maintenance program takes place yearly. This maintenance requires changing the drinking water disinfectant from chloramines to free chlorine to ensure the drinking water provided to our customers continues to be of the highest quality. The annual chlorine maintenance process continues to run smoothly every year with increased cooperation and commitment from our customers. Thank you in advance for your patience.

For more information, review our flyer and frequently asked questions.

Special care for dialysis patients and aquatic life

Chloramines have been used safely in the United States and Canada for many years. For most normal uses of potable water, chloraminated water is the same as chlorinated water. There are two groups of people, however, who need to take special care with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners.

Chloramines must be removed from the water used in the kidney dialysis process and from water that is used in fish tanks and ponds.

Kidney Dialysis

Kidney dialysis patients can safely drink, cook, and bathe in chloraminated water. However, chloramines must be removed from the water used in kidney dialysis machines. Dialysis systems will require some modifications to remove the chloramines. Check with your physician to be certain the necessary changes are made. All medical facilities that perform kidney dialysis have been notified of this change to chloraminated water treatment. According to the ESRD [End Stage Renal Disease] federal regulations, these facilities are responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis machines.

Aquatic Life

Chloramines are toxic to saltwater and freshwater fish, reptiles, turtles and amphibians, and must be removed from any water to be used for fish tanks or ponds. Chloramines in water do not dissipate (evaporate) as readily as chlorine, therefore, specific steps must be taken for their removal. Chloramines can be removed from the water by using a water conditioner specifically designed to remove chloramines or by using a granular activated carbon filter. Your pet products supplier should be able to provide any further guidance you may need on these products. Ammonia can be toxic to fish. Biological filters, natural zeolites, and pH control methods are effective in reducing the toxic effects of excess ammonia that may be present in aquarium water due to the chemical removal of chloramines.

An Important Message from City of Clearwater

In May 2002, the disinfectant used by the City of Clearwater Public Utilities for the treatment of our potable (drinking) water changed to chloramines instead of chlorine. Chloramine, a form of disinfectant produced by combining chlorine with ammonia, is a disinfectant that destroys potentially harmful bacteria should they enter the potable water system.