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New Bern residents may have noticed a change in their city tap water which, as one resident pointed out vividly but probably hyperbolically, suddenly tastes like shit.
Beginning on April 16 and continuing until June 18, the city changed the disinfectant used in the water treatment process from chloramines to free chlorine.
The city started using chloramines as a secondary disinfectant starting in 2010. This involves adding a small amount of ammonia after water is chlorinated. Compared to free chlorine, chloramines form fewer chemical byproducts, improve taste and odor, and last longer in the water system to prevent bacterial growth.
But!
“It is customary for water systems using chloramines to revert back to free chlorine for six to eight weeks annually,” the city said in a news release. “Free chlorine serves to remove any microbial growth that may have formed while using chloramines, which is a less potent but more stable disinfectant. This is a standard water treatment practice to keep our distribution system clean and free of potentially harmful bacteria throughout the year. During this period, customers may notice more chlorine taste and odor. This will go away immediately once the water system is returned to chloramines.”
Some residents in the Ghent neighborhood are experiencing a doubly refreshing experience with treated water.
“This is likely due to the crews disinfecting the new portions of the water main that have been installed in the area and the extra flushing that is also needed with the new installs. This should be short lived and should be back to normal quickly,” said City Engineer Jordan B. Hughes.

So in the meantime, for the next few weeks, what are your options if you can’t stand the taste of your water? Here are your options:
  • Bottled water.
  • Water filtration.
  • Pour tap water into an open container and let it sit overnight to let the chlorine dissipate.
  • Suck it up — unless you’re a dialysis patient or keep fish. In these cases, your water will need to be treated further. See your physician or pet store for further information.

Meanwhile, the water system will perform high velocity flushing of water mains during and shortly after the reversion period, and you may notice some discoloration in your water after the service is performed in your area. If this happens, run a tap in in your house for five minutes to clear your service line. If the discoloration persists, contact the Water Treatment Division at 639-7568.
 

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  1. I posted under this title – ‘I have a Kennito’ water purifier and whatever city does doesn’t effect me’
    SomeOne from the Water Department came by my house on Sunday night and vandalized my ‘Kennito salt intake’ on my front lawn!
    I made a police report and will be following up with NBPD.

  2. I posted under this title – ‘I have a Kennito’ water purifier and whatever city does doesn’t effect me’
    SomeOne from the Water Department came by my house on Sunday night and vandalized my ‘Kennito salt intake’ on my front lawn!
    I made a police report and will be following up with NBPD.

  3. You saw the city truck? I imagine it had a number on the truck. It would be pretty easy to find out who it was.

  4. No it was between 4 pm and 9 pm. And I don’t think the city water department works on Sunday!
    An act of vandalism pure and simple.

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