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Water may taste funny, but clearly it's still safe

The different flavor is a limited-time taste. The county is temporarily changing its water treatment method.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published September 9, 2006

On Sept. 18, pour yourself a glass of water from the tap.

Sniff it.

Taste it.

Notice anything different?

It's okay to swallow, said Bob Powell, director of the utilities laboratory for Pinellas County. But you might want to stir in some Kool-Aid.

From Sept. 18 through Oct. 27, the method of water treatment used by the county will change in an annual exercise used to flush out the system.

For a few weeks, the county will disinfect water with free chlorine instead of chloramine, which is used to treat the water the rest of the year. Chloramine does allow some growth of bacteria, Powell said, but the temporary chlorine treatment takes care of that.

Although tap water drinkers may notice a difference in odor and taste, Powell said, the water is as safe as ever to drink, if not safer.

"Free chlorine does kill bacteria better," Powell said.

It's just not as tasty.

Pinellas County Utilities customers will be affected by the change, as will customers in Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs and parts of Oldsmar.

Customers are being notified of the change through the media and notices in their water bill. Still, Powell said, 200 to 300 customers called last year, wondering about the different taste of their water.

Some customers may not notice a difference, Powell said. Others may smell or taste a tinge of chlorine.

Pinellas County Utilities switched to chloramine in 2002 after Tampa Bay Water changed the disinfectants in the water it supplied to the county.

Users of kidney dialysis machines and fish tank enthusiasts should seek information from their industries about how to treat or test water for chlorine instead of chloramine, county officials said.

Alan Ebbert, operations manager for Frenchy's restaurants on Clearwater Beach, isn't worried about the change in water treatment.

The restaurants use water softeners and filters, he said. They sell water bottled from their own spring and for those asking for ice water, "50 to 60 percent of people ask for lemon in it," he said.

Cheers.

[Last modified September 9, 2006, 06:35:53]