Changes In Drinking Water Disinfectant Announced
To meet new and stricter Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
standards, the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility
Authority have announced plans to convert the disinfectant used to
treat the city's drinking water from chlorine to chloramine in fall
2011.
Chloramine, a disinfectant used to treat drinking water, is a
common alternative to chlorine and is formed when ammonia is added
to chlorine.
According to City officials, making the switch to chloramine
disinfection will help Tulsa meet the EPA's stricter Stage 2
Disinfection Byproducts Rule, which goes into effect in 2012.
"After years of studying disinfection byproduct control, we've
determined monochloramine (a form of chloramine) is the most
cost-effective disinfectant method for complying with the new
federal standards," said Clayton Edwards, deputy director of
Environmental Operations. "We expect the transition to chloramine
will be seamless with virtually no noticeable change in service to
residents."
Chloramine has been used in water supplies as a disinfectant for
almost 90 years, and is currently used in almost half of the city
water systems in the South and Southwest. Communities such as
Oklahoma City, Sand Springs, Norman, Lawton, Dallas, Fort Worth,
Arlington and Denver have used chloramines to treat their water
supplies for years.
The City will launch a public education campaign in the coming
months to provide residents information about the scheduled fall
2011 chloramine conversion.
"The benefits of using chloramine, as opposed to chlorine or other
disinfectants, in the water supply are numerous," said Edwards.
"From longer lasting water disinfection to improved odor and taste,
the switch to chloramine will be advantageous for both the City of
Tulsa and its water customers."
The chloramine conversion will be led by CH2M HILL, an
international full-service engineering, consulting, construction
and operations firm with an office in Tulsa that has expertise in
both local and national water treatment projects. Also aiding in
the conversion process is D.W. Engineering, a Tulsa-based
electrical design and engineering firm.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The City of Tulsa has announced it is beginning an 18-month
process to convert the disinfectant used to treat Tulsa's drinking
water from chlorine to chloramine.
- a. Chloramine is a disinfectant used to treat drinking
water.
- b. Chloramine is a common alternative to chlorine.
Why is this change being made?
- To meet new and stricter Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
standards going into effect in 2012 (Stage 2 Disinfectants and
Disinfection Byproducts Rule), the City of Tulsa needs to find a
more effective disinfectant for treating its water.
- After years of studying disinfection byproduct control, Tulsa's
Public Works Department has determined that monochloramine (a form
of chloramine), used as a disinfectant in the city's water supply,
is the most cost-effective disinfectant method for complying with
the new federal standards.
- What exactly are chloramines?
Chloramines are formed when ammonia is added to chlorine
to treat drinking water.
- The typical purpose of chloramines is to provide longer-lasting
water treatment as the water moves through pipes to consumers. This
is called "secondary disinfection."
- Monochloramine is more chemically stable than chlorine, which
makes it longer lasting and an effective secondary disinfectant
that doesn't break down as quickly in water pipes.
Are chloramines safe?
- Chloramine has been used in water supplies as a disinfectant
for almost 90 years, and is currently used in almost half of city
water systems throughout the South and Southwest.
- Communities such as Oklahoma City, Sand Springs, Norman,
Lawton, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and Denver have used
chloramine to treat their water supplies for years.
When will this conversion take place?
- The conversion project will begin immediately with engineering
studies conducted by CH2M HILL, an international engineering firm
with offices here in Tulsa.
- The conversion to chloramine is expected to be completed by
fall 2011.
How will the change to chloramine affect Tulsa
water?
- A noticeable improvement may occur in the odor and taste of
Tulsa's drinking water.
- No noticeable change in service to residents is
anticipated.
Will anyone need to change how they use Tulsa's
water?
- Fish owners may need to change the way they de-chlorinate the
water in fish tanks and ponds.
- Kidney dialysis patients and renal center staff must be
attentive when testing water during and after the transitions in
type of disinfection.
