Monthlong water line maintenance period set to start

Change in taste and smell may be detected 

MURPHY (February 23, 2024) Murphy’s water supplier, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) will once again perform its annual maintenance on their water system during the 29 days between Monday, March 4 and Monday, April 3.

“The yearly routine results in changes to the taste and smell of the water detectable by a segment of the Murphy population,” says Daniel Paredez, Murphy’s Public Works Superintendent. “During the maintenance period the chemical process that keeps the water disinfected changes. Even though the method changes, the disinfection, which keeps water free of harmful microorganisms such as parasites and viruses, does not stop. Essentially, the disinfection switches to chlorine only, instead of chlorine and ammonia.” 

The usual disinfection process involves treating the water at the treatment plant and then adding chloramine disinfectant, which is chlorine plus ammonia, to maintain water quality on its journey to homes and businesses. However, during the annual maintenance period, NTMWD suspends adding ammonia and uses free chlorine to keep water disinfected. This is done before summer because hotter temperatures can increase the potential for bacterial growth in pipes. 

Also during this period, residents may see water being flushed from fire hydrants. This helps ensure that the process moves throughout our entire system.

“The absence of ammonia during this period may make the chlorine disinfectant more noticeable to some people,” said Paredez. “However, the taste and odor can be lessened by placing a pitcher of water in the refrigerator overnight or adding a slice of citrus to the water.” Adding a crushed 1,000 mg vitamin C tablet to bath water will neutralize the chlorine. 

NTMWD has conducted the temporary change in water disinfectant for over a decade and continues to meet safe drinking water standards. The water supplier conducts constant testing of the water, including during the annual maintenance period. Customers can view the results at www.ntmwd.com/water-testing. 

Online resources, including fact sheets, frequently asked questions, infographics, videos, and guidelines for questions about water quality, are available at www.ntmwd.com/temporary-change-in-disinfectant.

Residents and business owners can obtain more information by visiting either www.NTMWD.com/safewater or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality at www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/disinfection/temporary-free-chlorine-conversion.