American Water Changes to Chloramine Tues 6/12/12

Kidney Dialysis Patients & fish Owners Take Precautions

New Jersey American Water is set to officially change its water treatment disinfectant from free chlorine to chloramine tomorrow: Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

NJ Chloramine Facts  from New Jersey American Water

The new treatment process means that drinking water will be disinfected with chloramine residual instead of free chlorine. Chloramination is a common disinfection process used by the water industry in which a small amount of ammonia in water is added to chlorine in water at the end of the treatment process. The EPA widely accepts chloramine as an effective treatment to prevent the waterborne transmission of parasites that are capable of causing sickness.

While most customers will not notice any change in their water, some might notice that the taste and odor of chlorine is reduced. Please note that two groups of customers need to take special precautions: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners. For more information, visit Precautions for Dialysis Patients and Fish Owners. Chloramine is safe for all mammals – including dogs, cats -- as well as birds. More information for fish, amphibian and fish pond owners.

More Information

• NJ Chloramine Facts
• NJ American Water Customer Notice
• NJ American Water Press Release on New Treatment Process
• NJ American Water