Residents of Boynton Beach might be reaching for a slice of lemon to improve their glass of tap water as the city's Water Utility announces a temporary change in their water treatment process. In the interest of maintaining high-quality drinking water, the city will switch to free chlorination from July 3, through July 24. The adjustment, which is fairly common among water utilities, aims to give the system an extra punch of purifying power.
During this chlorine flush, it's expected that locals might notice a different taste or scent lingering in their water supplies. The City assures, however, that all Federal and State water quality standards will be continuously met. Informed by the City of Bonton Beach's public notice, Boynton Beach officials note that those sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine can simply let their water sit out in an open container, or refrigerate it, to reduce the chlorine level.
The change will mostly affect people who use water in specialized equipment. Dialysis patients, fish lovers, and businesses that use tanks for aquatic life must take extra caution. Following the advice of the city's public notice, professional guidance should be sought to adapt current practices for removing chloramine residuals, a different chemical, so that they can continue to properly manage the increased presence of chlorine in the tap water.
Customers can rest assured that the whole affair is just a preventive maintenance exercise—an annual sprucing up of the water distribution system. The City's Water Quality Division can provide further details and is reachable at 561-742-6964 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. After the chlorine flush period ends, things are expected to flow back to the water norms residents are used to.
