Water Disinfection: Chlorine to Chloramine

We manage an extensive water system, processing up to 800,000 gallons of water daily for our residents, a figure that can soar to two million gallons on peak summer days. To enhance the durability of our water infrastructure and ensure safety, we are transitioning our disinfection method from chlorine to chloramines.

“This switch to chloramines will help us maintain the integrity of the water longer, especially as it remains in the system due to increased usage during hotter periods,” explains Bob Johnson, our Director of Public Works.

Chloramines are renowned for their longevity within water systems, making them ideal as our city expands. “This is crucial for maintaining water safety as it helps prevent bacterial growth, ensuring our pipelines remain uncontaminated,” Johnson adds. Although some residents might notice slight changes, such as a different odor or water coloration, these effects are minimal and normal during such transitions. We are committed to flushing our systems effectively to resolve these temporary changes and reassure our community of the water’s safety.

The conversion process is set to commence on June 3rd and will span several weeks. We will begin with water sourced from our wells, supplemented by treated lake water from the North Texas Municipal Water District. This water travels through underground pipelines directly to homes, continuing to meet the high standards our residents expect.

Our goal is to address any issues swiftly and ensure everyone feels confident about the water quality. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City of Van Alstyne at 903-482-5426, or email waterquality@cityofvanalstyne.us.

In case you missed our town hall on this topic, get the story here from KXII.

Chloramine transition presentation from Public Works Director, Bob Johnson.