By: Sharon Aron Baron
If your water smells or tastes a little like chlorine, don’t be alarmed because it’s still safe to drink.
In a bid to uphold the high water quality in the city’s water distribution system, the Margate Water Treatment Plant will temporarily change its treatment process to increase free chlorine disinfection from August 1 through August 21, 2023.
This is a proactive step aimed at averting bacterial growth in the water mains, thus ensuring the safety of water for potable use.
The maintenance program, regarded as a standard procedure in water systems, is endorsed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The process will involve daily testing to monitor the water quality and ascertain the effectiveness of the program. After completion, the Department will revert to the standard disinfection procedure using chloramines.
During this period, residents may detect a slight increase in the taste and odor of chlorine in their water. Despite the temporary change, authorities assure that these conditions should not cause any adverse health effects.
Special advisories have been issued for specific groups of customers. Those who are on dialysis and use a proportioning machine to prepare dialysate are advised to seek guidance from their physicians on how to navigate the change in water disinfection. Similarly, customers with allergies or skin conditions should consult their physicians for any necessary precautions they need to take during this period concerning drinking or bathing in the water.
Moreover, customers maintaining fish tanks or housing aquatic species are encouraged to reach out to professional aquarists to avoid any problems related to increased chlorine levels.
The city has also warned of possible water discoloration due to fire hydrant flushing activities during this period. While this may result in cloudy, discolored water, officials assure that this will only be a temporary issue that should clear up within a few hours.
If you are responsible for paying water bills for a condominium or rental property, be it residential or commercial, please inform your residents or tenants about these temporary changes.
The City regrets any inconvenience caused during this period and encourages anyone seeking further information to contact the Department of Environmental and Engineering Services at 954-972-0828.
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