VAWC Disinfectant Change and Hydrant Flushing

VAWC Disinfectant Change and Hydrant Flushing



Monday, April 18, Virginia American Water will be transitioning to chlorine from chloramines for our disinfectant.  This is also the start of our systemwide hydrant flushing program.  We anticipate staying on chlorine and flushing hydrants until the beginning of July.  Attached is the press release that will go out and posted on our Facebook page

Flushing the system helps to clean out any buildup of mineral deposits and sediment inside the pipes. The company also flushes its hydrants to confirm they are operational and to check fire flows in the system. The process of flushing involves simultaneously opening fire hydrants in a specific area to create increased water flows.

In conjunction with hydrant flushing is the routine switch in disinfectants from chloramines to free chlorine in the water treatment process. Chloramine and chlorine are common disinfectants used in the water treatment process to remove microbial contaminants like bacteria and viruses from water. You may notice a slightly stronger chlorine taste and odor in your drinking water. If you’re especially sensitive to the taste and odor of chlorine, we recommend that you keep an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator. This will enable the chlorine to dissipate, reducing the chlorine taste.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.  See more information at this link.

Sincerely,

Leslie

Leslie Steves, PE
Sr. Supt. Of Operations
Lead WECAN EBRG Community Committee

Virginia American Water
900 Industrial Street
Hopewell, VA 23860

C:856-305-1979