It is a water quality preventative maintenance program that involves a temporary switch from the present water disinfectant product -- chloramines -- to a chlorine water disinfectant product in order to stabilize water quality in our distribution systems.

Chlorine is a type of water additive used by municipal water systems to disinfect your drinking water.

Chloramine is a type of disinfectant used in drinking water to remove the impurities consisting of both chlorine and ammonia. In the chloramination process, ammonia is added to the water at a carefully controlled level. The chlorine and ammonia react chemically to produce chloramines. Chloramination is as effective as chlorine in killing many kinds of bacteria and other germs that may be harmful to personal health.

Chloramination reduces the level of certain byproducts of the chlorination process. These byproducts, called Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) and Haloacetic Acids (HAAs), result from the reaction of chlorine with the small amounts of naturally occurring organic substances in drinking water. TTHMs and HAAs are suspected carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) when present at elevated levels and consumed over many years.

By converting to chloramines, the regional partnership:

• reduces the levels of TTHMs and HAAs in drinking water
• complies with more stringent standards implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency
• continues to supply water customers with safe and aesthetically pleasing water.

In addition, during the switch, customers may notice a change in the taste and odor of their drinking water.

Yes, it is safe for kidney dialysis patients to drink chlorinated and chloraminated water. During the digestive process, chlorinated and chloraminated water is metabolized before reaching the bloodstream.

However, all kidney dialysis facilities and users of home dialysis machines are advised to seek professional advice concerning the removal methods for chlorine and chloramines.

Fill out this request form to learn when the conversion program begins.

Fish also take chlorine and chloramines directly into their bloodstream. Chlorine and chloramines should be removed from water used in aquariums, fish tanks and ponds. Individuals or businesses that keep fish or other animals in tanks, aquariums, or ponds should ask a pet supply company about removing chlorine and chloramines. Customers who use drinking water for aquaculture purposes (growing plants in water tanks or ponds) should get expert advice regarding the need and procedures to neutralize or remove chlorine and chloramines. Also, restaurants and grocery stores with lobster tanks must take special precautions to treat the water.

Fill out this request form to learn when the conversion program begins.

Businesses and other establishments that use municipal drinking water for commercial laundering, laboratory procedures, and other processes that require carefully controlled water characteristics should get advice from equipment manufacturers or other suppliers regarding any changes that may be needed. These types of businesses may include but not be limited to laboratories, microchip manufacturers, biotech companies, soft drink bottlers, photography labs and restaurants or seafood suppliers with fish tanks.

Fill out this request form to learn when the conversion program begins.