News Flash

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2018

Durham Deferring Water Disinfection Changeover Process

Temporary Ammonia Removal Typically Occurs Annually in Spring

DURHAM, N.C. – In coordination with neighboring utilities in Raleigh and Cary, the City of Durham Department of Water Management will not conduct its water disinfection changeover process this spring. Generally, the City has conducted the process during the month of March each year by stopping the addition of ammonia for about 30 days, and using chlorine only for disinfection of the drinking water. At the same time, City crews have carried out flushing activities throughout the distribution system.

Studies have shown that conducting this activity on a biennial basis is more than sufficient to ensure water quality. For that reason, and because of the significant construction activities at both water treatment facilities, the City has decided to forego this year’s changeover. The treatment facilities are approximately half-way through the 30-month construction window and the Williams Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is off-line until May of this year. At this same time, the Brown WTP is being expanded to 42 million gallons per day capacity and several processes are being upgraded. The $100 million improvement project also includes construction of a residuals handling facility at the Brown WTP. City staff have conferred with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality staff, who have stated they do not object to the City’s decision to defer the changeover until next year.

For more information about the City of Durham’s water treatment and disinfection process, visit http://durhamnc.gov/1196/ or contact Water Management at (919) 560-4381.

About Water Management

The Department of Water Management is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Durham's water supply, water treatment and water reclamation (wastewater treatment) facilities, collection and distribution systems (including meter reading), and customer billing services. The department has a wide variety of support divisions and programs to maintain the existing infrastructure that provide these integral services, and strives to be a responsible steward of the City’s physical assets. For information, visit http://durhamnc.gov/944/ and follow @DurhamWater on Twitter and Facebook.