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GCWA Thomas Mackey Water Treatment Plant – Annual Chlorine Maintenance 2022

Galveston County WCID 12, PWSID: 0840031, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on Monday, 4/11/22 and continue through Monday, 4/25/22. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion.

The temporary change from a combination of chlorine and ammonia (chloramine) to free chlorine helps to prevent taste and odor problems that can occur during the hottest months of the year. Free chlorine conversions are a common industry practice for preventative maintenance in drinking water distribution & transmission systems. Many utilities throughout the state and country that use chloramines for their primary distribution disinfectant periodically convert back to free chlorine to improve and maintain the highest water quality standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) endorse and support this procedure.

As part of the disinfection process, municipalities will flush their systems by opening fire hydrants. Water users may notice some water discoloration or cloudiness. These conditions are harmless and temporary and should be remedied by fire hydrant flushing.

The chlorine maintenance process has not been linked to any adverse health effects. Customers may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in the tap water for a short period during the change. The water is safe to drink, to use for cooking, to bathe in and for other everyday uses. During this period, we will sample and test our water to monitor the effectiveness of the temporary modification. Once the free chlorine disinfection process is complete, we will return to the chloramine disinfection.

This temporary change in our treatment process is performed in accordance with State and Federal drinking water regulations. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which regulates water quality, has approved this method for routine maintenance of potable water distribution systems.

Special Note

Owners of fish and reptiles should follow standard water treatments using products that remove both chlorine and chloramine from the water.

Dialysis centers will continue to treat the water to remove all chemical disinfectants, including chlorine and chloramine, before the water is used for dialysis. Home dialysis users should consult their machine manufacturers for instructions on how to properly treat their water before use.

Click here to view frequently asked questions on page 2 of notice.

5 Basic Ways to Conserve Water

(Click here to download this information.)

The following are helpful hints we hope will both impact your water bill, and give you the knowledge to contribute in conserving one of our nation’s greatest resources. In addition to item #2, we are happy to provide “Checking for Water Leaks Tablets”, which can be picked up at our District Office, at your convenience.

Install A High Efficiency Toilet (HET)

Water conservation efforts and related government requirements have reduced water consumption in toilets from 5 or more gallons per flush (gpf) through the 1970’s, to 3.5 gpf in the 1980’s, to the current 1.6 gpf in toilets sold in the US since 1994. Even so, the toilet is still the biggest user of water inside most homes. New legislation requires that only High Efficiency Toilets (HET) using no more than 1.28 gpf be available for sale in the US, and will be mandated by code in many parts of the country – starting with California on January 1, 2014.

Dual Flush technology has been in use for many years in water conscious Australia and other parts of the world but is only just now coming to North America. Dual Flush is simpler and less expensive than other water-saving toilet alternatives and it allows you to choose the right flush each time:

  • Less water for liquid waste (half flush)
  • More water for solid waste (full flush)

Dual Flush technology allows you to reduce the amount of water used to flush liquids while maintaining the required amount needed to flush solids. Whereas, almost 50% of the toilets still being used in the U.S. and Canada are 3.5 gpf or greater, Dual Flush technology allows the consumer to convert their high capacity toilet to a more efficient water and money saving toilet. Although water savings potential is higher in 3.5 gpf or larger toilets, there are benefits to using the Dual Flush technology in 1.6 and 1.28 gpf toilets. Dual Flush technology will allow you to reduce the water used for a half-flush to 1.1 gallons or lower, offering substantial savings without sacrificing flushing performance.

Why DUO FLUSH by Fluidmaster?

DUO FLUSH™ allows you to take advantage of Dual Flush technology without compromising flush performance.

Fluidmaster products offer these Competitive Advantages:

  • Fits more toilets than any other dual flush conversion valve
  • Maximizes toilet performance and water-savings
  • Outperforms all other dual flush conversion valves
  • Installs in 25 minutes

For more information, visit: FluidMaster.com.