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Annual Chlorine Maintenance: What You Need to Know for 2025

Every year, the Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) conducts an essential maintenance process to ensure the safety and quality of our drinking water. From April 7 to April 21, 2025, GCWA will temporarily switch its water disinfection method from chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) to chlorine only. This annual routine is crucial for maintaining the water system and preventing taste and odor issues, especially as we head into the warmer summer months.

What is Chlorine Maintenance?

During this two-week period, GCWA will flush the water system to remove any buildup that could lead to unpleasant tastes or odors. While this process is underway, you may notice some temporary changes in your water, such as:

  • Discoloration
  • Cloudiness
  • A stronger chlorine smell

Rest assured, these conditions are harmless and short-lived. The chlorine levels remain consistent with year-round standards, and the process has not been linked to any adverse health effects.

Who is Affected?

The chlorine maintenance will impact most Galveston County communities, with the exception of League City, Friendswood, and Bolivar. Municipalities and water districts will also flush their systems by opening fire hydrants to ensure the water flows smoothly through the pipes.

FAQs Answered

The GCWA has addressed some common questions about the process:

  • Dialysis Centers: Water used for dialysis is treated to remove all chemical disinfectants, so there’s no need for concern. Home dialysis users should consult their machine manufacturers for specific instructions.
  • Pets: If you have fish or reptiles, make sure to use water treatment products that remove both chlorine and chloramine.
  • Water Testing: GCWA will continue regular water testing every 4 hours to ensure safety and quality standards are met.

Why is This Important?

Water disinfection has been a standard practice in the U.S. for over a century, and it plays a critical role in keeping our drinking water safe. By temporarily switching to chlorine-only disinfection, GCWA ensures that the water system remains clean and efficient, especially in Texas’s high temperatures.

For more detailed information, including a full list of impacted communities and additional FAQs, check out the official GCWA Chlorine Maintenance 2025 PDF here.

Stay informed and prepared for this routine maintenance process. Your cooperation helps ensure that our water system remains safe and reliable for everyone!

District Alert: Prepare for Winter Weather

Galveston County Water Control & Improvement District No. 12 would like to advise residents of potential winter weather and cold conditions coming later this week. While meteorologists are still uncertain regarding how cold it will get, there is the potential for a hard freeze in all non-costal locations. With temperatures expected to drop below freezing, it is a good time to refresh on the four P’s: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

People

  • Avoid going outside if it is not necessary. If you do, make sure you layer up from head to toe.
  • To keep you and your family safe, it is imperative your home is warm.
  • Make sure your heat is set to an appropriate temperature to make your entire home comfortable. Remember, heat rises so if you sleep upstairs, your room may be warmer than rooms downstairs.
  • Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.
  • If you smell smoke or see flames, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Pets

  • While protecting your family, it is imperative to protect your pets as well.
  • Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to cold temperatures. If not taken care of properly, they can succumb to frostbite and even hypothermia.
  • If you have a dog that typically lives outdoors, consider letting them inside when temperatures drop to freezing. While their fur does help to keep them warm, it provides little help in freezing temperatures.
  • If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, make sure they have a warm shelter, plenty of food and fresh water so it does not freeze.
  • If your pet looks like it has any symptoms resembling frostbite or hypothermia, call your vet.

Pipes

  • All garden hoses should be disconnected from outside spigots.
  • Make sure to cover all your exposed pipes with a cover. You can also cover your pipes with towels, duct tape or another adhesive strip as long as they are wrapped tightly.
  • You should also open up the cabinets to let warm air circulate throughout your home. Just make sure any harmful chemicals are out of reach for children and pets.

Plants

  • When cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to bring in all of your outdoor plants.
  • If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket to make sure they do not die.

Additionally, there are a few vehicle-safety tips to observe during winter weather:

  • Keep vehicle gas tanks full
  • Have tire pressures checked
  • Keep a phone charger, first aid kit, blankets, and jumper cables in personal vehicles
  • Check local road conditions at www.houstontranstar.org. State highway information is also available at www.drivetexas.org.

Lastly, here are some safety tips recommended by local Fire Departments regarding space heaters and other supplemental heating sources:

  • If you use a space heater, make sure to keep it away from anything that may be flammable including curtains, indoor plants, bedding, etc. Also, do not keep it running overnight and do not keep it running in an unoccupied room. Always turn off space heaters when leaving the room and/or going to sleep
  • Do not power space heaters with extension cords or power strips; do not use power strips or extension cords as an alternative for permanent wiring
  • Never leave a space heater unattended, or a child unattended with a space heater
  • Keep all combustible materials (and people) at least three (3) feet away from space heaters
  • If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
  • Never overload outlets or breakers

Freeze Warnings and Hard Freeze Warnings Expected

The National Weather Service has advised that subfreezing temperatures are likely beginning Sunday evening and into Wednesday following the passage of a strong cold front. Freeze Warnings and possible Hard Freeze Warnings can be expected. High temperatures could quite possibly remain below freezing throughout the day on Tuesday and not warm up above freezing until during the day on Wednesday.

Steps for Winterizing your Home

  • Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves, wrapping or using slip-on foam pipe insulation. Do not leave any gaps without insulation as cold air can affect the pipe in these spaces.
  • Winterize your sprinkler system by turning the water off to your irrigation system and drain your backflow preventer.
  • Maintain a heating source inside the building to protect pipes against cold.
  • Open cabinets underneath faucets.
  • Exterior hose bibs are normally left unattended, disconnect hoses and insulate faucets with covers or blankets.
  • House Shut off valve: Know where your shut off valve is located in case of an emergency. Valve is usually on the side of the house near the garage. Some homes the valve is inside the garage wall.
  • If you choose to leave a faucet dripping, please only let the faucet drip slowly. NO STEADY STREAMS.
  • If traveling for the Holidays, it is recommended that you turn the water off at the street and drain all your plumbing.