From the Beaufort County Water Department

 

As part of the state-required regular maintenance of the distribution system, the Beaufort County Southside Water System will use free chlorine as the primary disinfectant from July 25 through September 2014. This will affect all Beaufort County Water customers located south of the Pamlico River except those in the Whichards Beach area. Depending on your location within the distribution system, it could take up to a week or more for your drinking water to transition from chloramines to free chlorine at the beginning of this process. The change from chloramines to free chlorine will involve flushing water from hydrants. The flushing cleans out sediment and allows maintenance of the more than 270 hydrants in the Beaufort County Southside service area.

It is important to understand that flushing may result in some discoloration and the presence of sediment in your water. Please refrain from washing laundry if any discolored water is noticeable, as it could stain light colored clothing. Cloudiness, minor pressure fluctuations and possibly a slight increase in chlorine odor or taste may also occur. These conditions are nuisance only. Customers who use tap water for kidney dialysis at home should consult their doctor to advise them if any changes are necessary in their residual disinfectant neutralization procedures. Customers utilizing the water for aquariums should monitor both free and combined chlorine residuals.

Please keep in mind that this task is part of our ongoing efforts to provide a safe, potable water supply for our drinking water customers. If you have any questions, please call the Beaufort County Water Department at 252-975-0720.