Cary/Apex Water Plant to Begin Annual Disinfection Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2013
Cary/Apex Water Plant to Begin Annual Disinfection Process
CARY, NC – In accordance with state and federal regulations, the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Plant will temporarily stop adding ammonia to its water treatment disinfection process beginning Friday, March 1, 2013. Customers who use water for kidney dialysis machines, fish aquariums or other chlorine sensitive uses should be aware that water may contain chlorine, ammonia, or a mixture of the two at the beginning and end of March. This month-long, annual process is required of municipal water systems and is being conducted in conjunction with other communities in the area. The water plant will resume adding ammonia to the water treatment process on Monday, April 1, 2013. The Cary/Apex Plant provides treated water to Cary, Apex, Morrisville, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and the Wake County portion of Research Triangle Park.
To help keep drinking water safe, the Town uses chlorine and ammonia to reduce trihalomethanes, a byproduct formed when water is disinfected with chlorine alone. The State of North Carolina requires all water systems with the chlorine/ammonia process to cleanse their systems annually by switching to free chlorine and flushing the systems.
“In some cases, water may be slightly discolored, and a few residents may notice an increase in chlorine odor, but most will not notice a difference in their water in March,” said Jamie Revels, Cary’s Utilities Director. Revels pointed out that any minor changes are temporary and a normal part of the annual process.
Customers are encouraged to check their water before washing white clothes. If the water appears discolored, try flushing all house faucets for a few minutes. Customers who have questions or who have water that fails to clear should call the Town of Cary Public Works & Utilities Department at (919) 469-4090. For more about Cary’s award-winning water, search “Water” at www.townofcary.org.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS:
Jamie Revels, Utilities Division Director, (919) 469-4303
Carrie Roman, Public Information Specialist, (919) 481-5091
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 380-4240
RELATED LINKS:
Annual Water Disinfection Process
