Plaistow Water Treatment Conversion (9/14/23 - 10/15/23)

PLAISTOW WATER TREATMENT CONVERSION:

The Plaistow Water Department (PWD) has scheduled a conversion of the disinfectant chloramine used in our water treatment process to chlorine to begin September 14 and continue through approximately October 15, 2023. During this time, you may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of your drinking water that has no harmful effects.

Periodically PWD will switch the disinfectant from chloramine to chlorine for maintenance of our water distribution system. Early on during the conversion PWD will also conduct selective hydrant flushing to enhance water quality.  This procedure is a common practice for many U.S. public water systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant and the practice is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which regulates the safe use of chlorine and chloramine. 

PWD routinely collects and tests water samples to monitor for chloramine and chlorine levels throughout the distribution system and will continue to do so during this period. Should you notice a change in the taste or smell of chlorine, PWD recommends:

     - Run the cold water tap for two minutes.  Run it for five to 10 minutes when water is not used for several hours.

      - Refrigerate cold tap water in an open pitcher. Within a few hours, the chlorine taste and odor should dissipate.

Individuals and business owners who take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities, and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine.  Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine.   Individuals with special health concerns should consult a health care provider on the use.

For questions, please contact the Town’s Water Operator (HAWSCO) at 603.362.1941 or Dee Voss, Special Projects Coordinator at dvoss@plaistow.com