If you’re one of these conspiracy theorists who thinks the government is messing with the water supply and that’s why High Point tap water smells funny – well, this time you’re correct.
On Monday, May 4, the City of High Point announced that it’s switching back to a previous method of disinfecting the city’s water supply. On May 12, the city will begin changing from the current use of chlorine, back to chloramines – chemical compounds that contain both chlorine and ammonia – for its water disinfection. The city is doing so after conducting “a routine water quality preventive maintenance program” that lasted just over two months.
This program, which started in early March, involved using chlorine instead of chloramines to disinfect the water that comes out in taps across the city. According to High Point water officials, the change was important to maintain the safety of the drinking water and optimize the city’s water quality.
The switch back to chloramines from chlorine will take about two weeks to complete.
In a May 4 press release, city officials stated that water drinkers may notice the change.
“During this time, some users may notice temporary taste or odor differences,” it reads, adding that no one should be alarmed by that. “This is a normal part of the transition, and the water quality will not be impacted. Both chlorinated and chloraminated water are safe for drinking, cooking and other general uses.”
Some people who use the water for more specialized purposes may need to “take precautions” or make changes. City officials stated that some users – like medical facilities offering kidney dialysis, people with fish tanks or ponds, or businesses that use the city’s water in their production process – may have to make adjustments to the filtration and treatment systems they’re currently using.
Water customers with questions are being instructed to call the City of High Point’s customer service line at 336-883-3111 or the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Some information may also be found at the EPA’s website and at www.highpointnc.gov/waterqualitymaintenance.
Where’s General Jack D. Ripper of Burpleson Air Force Base when you need him ?
I am very surprised to hear that a city using chlorine would go back to chloramine. (HighPoint, according to this story). As I recall, when Greensboro changed from chlorine to chloramine more than 10 +/- years ago, we (GSO residents) were advised that the decision was made to save money for taxpayers, proclaiming that the disinfecting properties would stay in the pipes longer across the distance. We were advised that fish ponds would need to use special water filters because chloramine kills fish.
Uh, what? We are putting something in our drinking water that also kills fish that are native to the water?! Which lie am I supposed to believe now? Granted, it has been a while since I took two NCState semesters of Organic Chemistry.
I just wonder if the truth/story gets mixed up over time and when people change jobs…
Pamela, thanks for your comment. I would like to hear from the city on this……
City of High Point charges a premium price for water. Highest water bill I have ever paid is High Point, smallest home I ever lived in as well but my highest water bill hands down. When I put a clean white face cloth under the water to wash my face it turns off white color, this has been for past few months. I truly dont trust this City and am going to look into further investigations by contacting state officials
Remember FLINT? The local, state and EPA officials were all complicit in the misinformation and cover up. Do you feel your lips pucker, your tongue tingle, and your toes twitch after taking a drink of your tap water????
Years ago the owner of a local well known plumbing company was on a ROCK 92 radio broadcast. He stated that his company was responsible for replacing old hot water heaters that had worn out on a lot of rental properties. He said that when they switched from chlorine as a disinfectant (which had been used for over 100 years effectively) to chloramine (chlorine on steroids with added ammonia) the hot water heaters were only lasting 1/2 as long as before. The chloramine was actually eating the guts out of the hot water heaters. Click on the following link to read an article by Erin Brockovich where she states the same thing:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19230412&id=wrohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZpwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3908,2376514
“Studies indicate chloramine causes more rapid deterioration of the municipal infrastructure and degradation of valves and fittings. In water systems that still use lead pipes or components, this causes lead and other metals to leach into drinking water and out of faucets and showerheads. The chemicals themselves may not cost much, but we can’t afford their consequences”.
If chloramine is that caustic to hot water heaters DO YOU THINK it is also detrimental to your health??
Also, regular water filters that are designed to remove chlorine will not remove chloramine because of the added ammonia!
Cheers!
I’m with you Greg! I talked to a formal retired engineer that worked for the city water in High Point and I can’t even repeat what he told me that’s in their water.