It's time again for the annual water disinfection process by The Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) April 10 - 24, 2023.
It's time again for the annual water disinfection process by The Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) April 10 - 24, 2023.. In order to maintain the water systems operated by GCWA and the Galveston County communities it serves, the water disinfection process will be temporarily changed in April of each year.
To prevent any taste and odor problems that can occur during the hottest months of the year, GCWA will switch from using a combination of chlorine and ammonia (chloramine) to using only chlorine. This change will affect all communities served by GCWA except for League City, Friendswood, Seabrook, and Bolivar.
As part of the disinfection process, municipalities and water districts will flush their systems by opening fire hydrants. Water users may notice some temporary water discoloration or cloudiness, which should be remedied by fire hydrant flushing. This process has not been linked to any adverse health effects.
During the temporary disinfectant change, the levels of chlorine in the water will remain consistent with levels found throughout the year. However, the temporary suspension of ammonia can make the chlorine odor more noticeable. Fish and reptile owners should use products that remove both chlorine and chloramine from the water.
Dialysis centers will continue to treat the water to remove all chemical disinfectants, including chlorine and chloramine, before the water is used for dialysis. Home dialysis users should consult their machine manufacturers for instructions on how to properly treat their water before use.
If you have any questions about the water system disinfection, you can contact us at 409-938-9280.