NETMWD alters water treament

Staff Reports

According to a Water Notice in City Hall, Northeast Texas Municipal Water District (NETMWD) is temporarily changing it’s water treatment process from Jun 6-July 3 to maintain year-round water quality.

“Delivering safe and high-quality water to our customers and protecting public health is, and always will be the highest priority,” said Dominik Sobieraj, NETMWD COO. “The procedures and techniques used in our water treatment process are considered the best and most effective process to ensure that the communities we serve have safe, reliable drinking water at the lowest cost.”

The Tanner Water Treatment Plant uses a disinfection process were the water is treated, and then chloramine disinfectant (chlorine + ammonia) is added to maintain water quality as it travels to homes and businesses. 

During the temporary change, NETMWD suspends adding ammonia and uses chlorine only to keep the water disinfected This temporary change helps prepare the pipes for summer when hotter temperatures can increase the potential for bacterial growth.

According to the U.S. EPA, this temporary conversion is a common practice for many water providers using chloramines for disinfection. NETMWD follows the guidelines specified by TCEQ on how public water systems disinfect drinking water.

The absence of ammonia may make the chlorine disinfectant more noticeable to some people. Simple steps to minimize taste, odor or skin sensitives include adding slice of citrus to water or refrigerating overnight. A crushed 1000mg Vitamin C tablet to bath water will neutralize the chlorine.

For more information, contact NETMWD at 903-639-7538.