Why does our water provider change back to chlorine as the disinfectant every spring while the water mains are flushed?
Temporarily converting from chloramines to free chlorine is done to accompany the annual process of flushing of our drinking water distribution system. A biological film, known as biofilm, is found in all water pipes. It can lead to water quality problems if not controlled. Biofilm can become accustomed to the chloramine disinfectant that is routinely used. By switching to free chlorine for a short period of time, the biofilm is ‘shocked’ and weakened. Using fire hydrants to conduct a system-wide flushing of our distribution mains, combined with the disinfectant change, is a very effective method for controlling biofilm that is used nationwide.
Related Questions
- Why does our water provider change back to chlorine as the disinfectant every spring while the water mains are flushed?
- Why is the Washington Aqueduct (our water supplier) changing the water disinfectant from Chloramines to Free Chlorine?
- Why did our water provider change from chlorine to chloramine disinfectant in 2000?
