1. Why is Pinellas County changing to chloramines?
2. Who will be affected by this change?
3. Where can you get more information?
4. What special precautions should kidney dialysis patients take?
5. What special precautions should fish owners take?
6. Are chloramines new?
7. Are chloramines safe?
8. What are trihalomethanes (THMs)?
9. If chloramines are harmful to fish, how can people safely drink the water?
10. Can pregnant women and children drink chloraminated water?
11. Can you safely wash an open wound with chloraminated water?
12. Can you safely water plants, vegetables or fruit and nut trees?
13. Will chloramines affect your swimming pool?
14. Will chloramines change the pH of the water?
15. Will chloramines dissipate or evaporate out of the water?
16. Do home water purifiers remove chloramines?
17. What can be expected during the disinfectant conversion from chlorine to chloramines?
    
    

Why is Pinellas County changing to chloramines?

• Tampa Bay Water is changing our water supply from groundwater to include groundwater, surface water and desalinated water.
• Tampa Bay Water, our water supplier, is changing its potable water disinfectant to chloramines.
• Chloramine disinfection is one way to comply with new and stricter health standards under the USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Act.
• Use of chloramines will reduce the regulated cancer-causing compounds, such as trihalomethanes (THMs), which result from the combination of chlorine with organics found in surface water. 

Who will be affected by this change?

All retail customers of Pinellas County Utilities and water customers of the Cities of Clearwater, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs.

Where can you get more information?

If you have any questions about the new water treatment process or our water quality control program, please contact Pinellas County Utilities at 727/464-4000 or visit http://www.tampabaywater.org.

What special precautions should kidney dialysis patients take?

Kidney dialysis patients can safely drink, cook, and bathe in chloraminated water. However, chloramines must be removed from the water used in kidney dialysis machines.

Dialysis systems already pre-treat their source water to remove chlorine. However, some modifications will be necessary to remove the chloramines. Home dialysis service companies can usually make the needed modifications, but you should check with your physician to be certain.

All medical facilities that perform kidney dialysis have been notified of this change to chloraminated water treatment. According to the ESRD [End Stage Renal Disease] federal regulations, these facilities are responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis machines.

What special precautions should fish owners take?

Chloramines must be removed from any water to be used for fish tanks or ponds. Chloramines are toxic to saltwater and freshwater fish, reptiles that live in water, turtles and amphibians, and must be removed. This includes lobster tanks at grocery stores and restaurants as well as fish containers at bait shops.

You may not have had to remove chlorine from your aquarium water because it dissipates (evaporates) rapidly on its own. This is not the case with chloramines and specific steps must be taken for their removal.

Chloramines can be removed from the water by using a water conditioner specifically designed to remove chloramines or by using a granular activated carbon filter. Your pet supplier should be able to provide any further guidance you may need on these products.

Ammonia can be toxic to fish. Although all fish produce some ammonia as a natural by-product, ammonia is also released when chloramines are chemically removed. Some ammonia levels may be tolerable in individual tanks or ponds for short periods of time; however, commercial products are available at pet supply stores to remove excess ammonia. Biological filters, natural zeolites, and pH control methods are also effective in reducing the toxic effects of ammonia. For additional information on fish aquarium care, Click Here!  (48kb)

Are chloramines new?

No. Many cities in the U. S. and Canada have used chloramines for decades.

Are chloramines safe?

Yes. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) accepts chloramines as a disinfectant and as a way to avoid formation of known carcinogens in the trihalomethane family of compounds. Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and all uses we have for potable water every day. However, there are two groups of people who need to take special care with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners.

What are trihalomethanes (THMs)?

THMs are some of the chemical compounds that are formed when chlorine mixes with naturally occurring organics in water. The USEPA has determined some THMs to be carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) for people.

If chloramines are harmful to fish, how can people safely drink the water?

Chloraminated water is no different than chlorinated water for all of the normal uses we have for potable water, including drinking. The digestive process neutralizes the chloramines before they reach the bloodstream. However, fish absorb chloramines directly into their bloodstreams through their gills, which can be fatal.

Can pregnant women and children drink chloraminated water?

Yes. Everyone can drink water that contains chloramines.

Can you safely wash an open wound with chloraminated water?

Yes. It is safe to use chloraminated water in cleaning an open wound because virtually no water actually enters the bloodstream that way.

Can you safely water plants, vegetables or fruit and nut trees?

Yes. The small amount of chloramines in the water supply will have no effect on plants of any type.

Will chloramines affect your swimming pool?

No. You will still need a free chlorine residual to retard algae and bacteria growths. Contact your local pool supply stores for specific information.

Will chloramines change the pH of the water?

No. The pH of Pinellas County Utilities water will remain in the range of pH 7.7 to 7.8

Will chloramines dissipate or evaporate out of the water?

No. Unlike chlorine, which dissipates when water sits for a few days, chloramines may take weeks to completely disappear.

Do home water purifiers remove chloramines?

Most home purifiers are not designed to remove chloramines. Consult your manufacturer for specific information. NOTE:   High quality granular activated carbon filters may remove chloramines provided sufficient contact time is permitted.

What can be expected during the disinfectant conversion from chlorine to chloramines?

You may temporarily experience a different taste or odor to the water, some discoloration or sedimentation. Try running the water 2 to 3 minutes to clear it before using.

Will chloraminated water used for agricultural purposes have anyeffect on fish in adjacent streams?

Most water, which runs into streams and ponds, would be agricultural, landscaping or storm water drainage. After water has been used for one purpose, it probably would not have enough residual chloramine to affect fish.

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PO Box 1780
Clearwater Fl 33757-1780