North Texas

Scheduled Maintenance May Alter Little Elm's Water's Taste and Smell

The North Texas Municipal Water District's annual maintenance on distribution lines in Little Elm may result in altered taste and smell of the town's drinking water.

The district will be conducting maintenance from March 2 through March 30.

"Every year, the North Texas Municipal Water District takes about 30 days to maintain its system," said Water Supervisor Andrew Figueroa. "During that time, the purity and safety of the water does not change or diminish. Nevertheless, some persons with heightened senses may find a slightly altered taste and smell. "

Chlorine is added to the water during this period to kill bacteria and oxidize contaminants. When the chlorine is combined with ammonia to treat drinking water, it becomes combined chlorine, or chloramines. The purpose of chloramines is to provide longer-lasting water treatment as the water moves through pipes to consumers.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) allows water suppliers to perform chlorine maintenance. Chlorine maintenance helps reduce the need for water suppliers to flush systems in order to maintain chloramine residual during the warm weather periods, therefore conserving water. Chlorine maintenance is performed in cool weather months when water temperature is lower.

"At the end of the chlorine maintenance period, the taste and smell issue should be completely eliminated," said Figueroa.

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