Moore County Public Utilities (MCPU) and East Moore Water District (EMWD) purchase bulk drinking water from several sources to supplement the water produced from its wells in Pinehurst. These sources include Harnett County Public Utilities and Southern Pines Public Utilities.
Beginning Friday, March 1, 2019, these bulk water suppliers will temporarily change the method of disinfection used in the treatment of their public water supplies. These suppliers normally use “Chloramines”, a controlled mixture of ammonia and chlorine, to disinfect the water. From March 1st to April 1st, these water suppliers will use chlorine only, also known as “Free Chlorine”. This periodic and temporary conversion from chloramines to free chlorine, which is a normal procedure for water systems, ensures water safety in distribution lines and the highest quality of drinking water. Water customers should always be aware that residual traces of ammonia and chlorine must be removed from the water prior to its use in fish aquariums and ponds and kidney dialysis machines.
Free chlorine is a stronger disinfectant than chloramines. As a result, the users may experience a slight change in the aesthetics of their water during this conversion, including a noticeable “chlorine odor” and slight discoloration. MCPU will also increase flushing of the water distribution system during this period to hasten the change of chloramines to free chlorine disinfectant. The system flushing may result in some minor discoloration of the MCPU’s water. These characteristics should lessen after the first few days and do not affect the safety of the water supply. MCPU will monitor chlorine levels and water quality in the distribution system on a daily basis to ensure the safety of the water and that all state and regulatory standards are met.
Water customers from the Pinehurst, Seven Lakes, Carolina, Addor, Hyland Hills, and Vass areas that pay water bills to MCPU- EMWD are affected by this temporary change.
For more information or questions about this temporary change, please call Brandon Brown, Water Quality Supervisor, at (910) 947-6315 or by email at bbrown@moorecountync.gov.