Gloucester DPW flushes water system for fall disinfectant switch
The Town of Gloucester announced that the Department of Public Works began flushing the water distribution system Oct. 14 to switch disinfectants, with a switch back to monochloramine expected two to five weeks later.
The Town of Gloucester announced that the Department of Public Works began targeted flushing of the water distribution system on Oct. 14 to establish chlorine throughout the system.
The flushing is part of the DPW's annual fall disinfectant switch, which the department said is common preventive maintenance used to kill bacteria that, while harmless if consumed, can cause unwanted taste and odor and make it harder to maintain a disinfectant residual in the water. Two to five weeks after the switch to chlorine, the DPW will switch back to monochloramine and flush the system again to restore it.
During the period when chlorine is being used, residents may notice a chlorine odor in their water. That odor will not be present once the system returns to monochloramine.
If residents experience discolored water, the DPW recommends running cold water, since flushing can disturb normal flow patterns in the pipes. Anyone who continues to have water quality problems is asked to contact the DPW at (978) 325-5680 so crews can perform spot flushing.
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