Ottawa, Kansas, city officials have deemed the city’s water safe to drink and use.
According to city officials, Ottawa will be flushing the water lines during the next month as workers switch from chloramines to free chlorine in the water, reported The Ottawa Herald. As a result, residents may notice a discoloration or odor coming from their tap water in the upcoming weeks.
Officials said the water plant will switch to free chlorine for disinfection for about a month or until the distribution system has been flushed, reported The Ottawa Herald. The system will be flushed to: remove any biofilm and bacteria from the water distribution system pipes; reduce the formation of nitrates and nitrites; and reduce any taste and odor complaints.
Despite slight discoloration/cloudiness or chlorine odor, the water is safe to use, according to officials.
City officials said during the process of flushing that customers may see: discoloration or cloudiness in the water; a chlorine odor or taste; minor fluctuations in water pressures while flushing is occurring; minor discoloration in the water due to flushing the system; and utility crews operating fire hydrants, reported The Ottawa Herald.
Officials recommend that if customers experience any discoloration or odor, they should run the cold water tap for two minutes, and for five to 10 minutes when water is not used for several hours. Cold tap water in an open pitcher may be refrigerated, and within a few hours the taste and odor will disappear.
City officials recommended customer use devices that are installed at the faucet tap or pitcher-style filters, as well as using a filter certified to meet NSF standards, replacing the filter as recommended by the manufacturer.
