Annual Free Chlorine Conversion and Water Line Flushing Program Begins May 7

Starting Wednesday, May 7, the City of Goldsboro Water Treatment Plant will temporarily stop adding ammonia to its water treatment disinfecting process, transitioning to chlorine-only disinfection for six weeks. They will resume adding ammonia to the water treatment process on Wednesday, June 18.

Our water treatment plant typically uses chloramine, a disinfectant formed by mixing chlorine and ammonia, to treat drinking water. Chloramine is more stable than chlorine, providing a longer-lasting disinfectant effect as water travels through pipes to customers.

To promote optimal disinfection throughout the water distribution system, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality recommends public water systems using chloramine disinfection switch to chlorine-only disinfection for a minimum of three consecutive weeks every year. This switch to chlorine-only disinfection can sometimes produce a temporary chlorine taste and odor.

The City of Goldsboro also conducts flushing of the water distribution system during this period as part of an annual unidirectional flushing program. This flushing may cause some temporary discoloration in the water. The water is safe. Short periods of flushing may be necessary to clear up any discoloration in the home. However, as a precaution, customers may want to check to see if their water is discolored before laundering white clothes.

If you have any further questions, please call 919-735-3329.