Overview
- Pinellas County began its semiannual switch from chloramine to free chlorine on Sept. 21 and will run the treatment through Oct. 10 while Miami-Dade is scheduled to do the same from Sept. 28 to Oct. 11.
- Officials say the change is a planned maintenance step used for decades to clear biofilm and reduce nitrification, not a contamination event.
- Residents may notice a chlorine smell, taste, or temporary cloudiness and officials advise running taps for three to five minutes to clear water.
- People who use dialysis machines and owners of aquariums should take extra precautions because disinfectants must be removed before use, and utilities recommend consulting medical providers or aquarium specialists.
- Crews will flush mains across distribution networks which can cause short pressure dips and cosmetic cloudiness while water quality remains within federal limits and safe to drink.