May 11

Chloramines Questions & Answers

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May 11

Change of Water Treatment Process from Chlorine to Chloramines

Archive Comments Off on Change of Water Treatment Process from Chlorine to Chloramines

Media Release

Date: May 9, 2012- For Immediate Release

To: Media
Board of Directors- NRSC
City of Brooks Council
County of Newell Council
Village of Tilley Council
Village of Rosemary Council

From: Ralph Havinga C.Tech
General Manager
Newell Regional Services Corporation

Subject: Change of Water Treatment Process from Chlorine to Chloramines

Newell Regional Services Corporation wish to inform the public in the City of Brooks and County of Newell residents of Lake Newell Resort, Rainier, Scandia, Rolling Hills, Patricia and the Villages of Tilley and Rosemary; that a change to the water treatment process will soon occur.

Currently within the water distribution systems in the communities highlighted above; residual disinfection is provided by free chlorine. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC) will be implementing a change to a combined chlorine and ammonia (chloramine) residual as part of the Regional Water Treatment Plant process. The need for the more resilient combined residual that is a more stable disinfectant will arise as the regional system has expanded to include additional communities. The changeover will occur as part of the final phase of construction of the project, during the month of June, 2012.

Chloramines are currently being used successfully to disinfect water throughout North America. In Alberta, the communities of Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Red Deer are currently using chloramines to provide residual disinfection within their respective water distribution systems. Although Newell Regional Services Corporation does not supply water to as large a population, the distance for transmission of water is comparable in size to that of a large city, thus the requirement for a more resilient residual disinfection.

With the change from a free chlorine residual to a chloramine residual, it is important for consumers to note that:

Above all, water treated with chloramines is safe for drinking, washing, bathing and other household use.

  • Chloramine residual must also be removed from the water prior to use in kidney dialysis machines. Alberta Health Services- Palliser; is aware of this change and will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all affected patients. Contact your physician for more information.
  • Aquarium owners should install a filter to remove the chloramine residual from tank water due to potential toxicity to all species of fish. A typical granular activated carbon filter, available at any pet store, will remove the chloramine residual from the water.
  • It is not enough to pour water directly from your tap into the fish tank, even though you may have a carbon filter in the tank. Water must first pass through a carbon filter.

The safety of the public is held in the highest regard by Newell Regional Services Corporation. At no time will safety be compromised. We have retained experts in the field of water treatment in order to ensure all Provincial standards are either met or exceeded. Alberta Environment has approved the use of chloramines in other cities with no adverse effects. Newell Regional Services Corporation will adhere to the strict continual monitoring and sampling requirements of Alberta Environment to ensure the safety of the potable water supply for all customers.

Testing of the system will occur during the last week of May, 2012.

Chloraminated water will be introduced into all distribution systems beginning the 4th of June. Residents may notice an increase in the taste and odour of chlorine during the testing phase but will diminish within days.

For further information see our web site at: www.nrsc.ca

or please call:

Ralph Havinga C.Tech: 403-794-4000
General Manager
Newell Regional Services Corporation