February 21, 2019
Annual system maintenance at water supplier to begin
North Texas Municipal Water District conducts yearly procedure
MURPHY (February 21, 2019) The North Texas Municipal Water District’s annual seasonal maintenance of the water distribution system that supplies Murphy homes and businesses starts on March 4 and concludes on April 1.
The maintenance includes a temporary change in the way water is disinfected. Disinfection keeps drinking water free of harmful microorganisms, such as parasites and viruses. Normally, two chemicals are used in the disinfection process, chlorine and ammonia. During the month-long change, the water supplier uses only free chlorine to keep water disinfected as it travels through pipes. This is a common practice for as many as 40 percent of water providers which use the two-chemical process.
Tests conducted by both NTMWD and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) confirm that the quality of the water remains high each year during its annual disinfectant change, according to Murphy Customer Service Manager Teresa Thompson.
“The absence of ammonia during the testing period may make the chlorine more noticeable,” she said. “There are some simple steps to minimize taste, odor or skin sensitivities, including placing a pitcher of water in the refrigerator overnight or adding a slice of citrus to the water.”
During the temporary chemical composition change, there may be instances where Murphy Public Works may flush water from fire hydrants, helping the chlorine-disinfected water move through the system. The combination of converting to chlorine disinfectant and flushing the pipes helps maintain the system and keep water safe year-round.
NTMWD has posted new resources online, including fact sheets, frequently asked questions, infographics, videos, and guidelines for questions about water quality. For more information, residents may visit www.NTMWD.com/safewater and the TCEQ at www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/disinfection/temporary-free-chlorine-conversion.