The City of Howe released the following statement on the city’s website (cityofhowe.org) which outlines to the citizens a temporary change in disinfectants:
Attention (All customers East of Hwy. 75 & Abbington Meadows Apartments):
The City of Howe public water system, (PWS) ID TX0910013, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system (ONLY EAST OF HWY. 75 AND INCLUDING ABBINGTON MEADOWS RESIDENTS) from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on March 6, 2023 and continue through April 3, 2023. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion. If any water quality issues arise at your residence, please contact City Hall at (903) 532-5571 so that a work order can be produced for Public Works to respond and properly document and address the issue.
Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.
City of Howe has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the purchased water supplier North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) performing their routine annual chlorine conversion also known as “Chlorine Burn”.
Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Director of Public Works Michael Phillips at (903) 532-5571.
Additional informational resources pertaining to this treatment process are below:
► ntmwd.com/temporary-change-in-disinf ectant/
► tceq. texas.gov /downloads/drinking-water /chemicals/ gi-466.pdf
Sincerely,
Michael Phillips
City of Howe, Texas
Director of Public Works