Monday, November 2 – Monday, November 23, 2026
A temporary change from chloramines to free chlorine
as part of routine water distribution system maintenance.
About the Project
Dear Valued Utility Customer:
The City of Riviera Beach Utility Special District (USD)
is consistently undertaking activities that strengthen its
water treatment and distribution services. As recommended
by the state Department of Health, the City will conduct
a Free Chlorine Flush Project beginning
Monday, November 2, 2026, and continuing
through Monday, November 23, 2026.
Free chlorine flushing is a temporary disinfection process
using free chlorine in place of chloramines. Free chlorine
is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant than the
combined treatment normally used.
The Utility uses this process strictly as a precautionary
measure to help maintain the drinking water distribution
system, including water storage tanks and pipes leading
to homes, in the best possible condition.
Once the free chlorine flush is complete, the system will
return to the standard combined disinfection process.
What to Expect During the Maintenance Period
During this temporary change, customers may notice:
- Some discoloration or cloudiness in the water.
- A slight chlorine odor or taste.
- Increased fire hydrant flushing throughout the City.
If you experience discoloration or cloudiness, run the
water through the tap until it clears. If you are especially
sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine, keep an open
container of drinking water in your refrigerator for a few
hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
USD staff will conduct fire hydrant flushing to ensure
that free chlorinated water reaches all parts of the
distribution system and to help remove color and odor.
Some temporary effects may still reach customer lines
during the process.
Is the Water Safe to Drink?
Yes. The water is safe to drink throughout this process.
Any odor and color issues are temporary nuisance conditions
that will subside as flushing is completed. Adverse health
effects are not expected.
Laundry: Discoloration in laundry is
possible during this time. Avoid using chlorine bleach
in your laundry during the flushing period.
Important Notice for Customers With Special Water Needs
Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish,
and managers of restaurants with fish and shellfish holding
tanks should seek professional advice before the temporary
disinfection change.
-
Home dialysis: Consult your doctor or
dialysis service provider about any necessary changes
to residual disinfectant neutralization procedures.
-
Aquariums and aquatic systems: Seek
professional guidance on removing or neutralizing
disinfectants. Customers using water for aquariums
should monitor both free and combined chlorine residuals.
The method of removing free chlorine residuals differs
from the usual process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Chlorination
What is free chlorination?
Free chlorination is a temporary process that distributes
free chlorine in place of combined chlorine, or chloramines,
throughout the water distribution system as part of routine
distribution system maintenance.
It is a common practice used by water producers that use
chloramine treatment. It is typically performed once or
twice per year over a two- to four-week period to remove
biofilms from inside distribution pipes.
What is free chlorine?
Free chlorine is the use of chlorine only, which is
a stronger disinfectant than chloramines.
What are chloramines?
Chloramines are a disinfectant used in drinking water
that combines chlorine and ammonia.
How is chlorine added to drinking water?
Water treatment operators may chlorinate drinking
water using chlorine gas, liquid sodium hypochlorite
solution, or dry calcium hypochlorite.
The USD uses sodium hypochlorite.
How common is chlorine disinfection of drinking water?
Chlorine disinfection is widely used by drinking water
utilities. The USD uses disinfection to help provide
safe drinking water and protect water as it travels
through the distribution system to customers’ taps.
Is chlorine in drinking water safe?
The small amount of chlorine added to disinfect drinking
water in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency regulations is safe for consumption.
Customers with specialized water needs, including
home dialysis and aquatic systems, should follow
the professional guidance described above.
How long will the free chlorination process last?
This temporary process will last approximately three
weeks, from Monday, November 2, 2026,
through Monday, November 23, 2026.
After the flush is complete, the system will return
to its standard combined disinfection process.
Do other cities perform free chlorination?
Yes. This is a common industry practice. Many utilities
in Palm Beach County and throughout the country that
use chloramines as a distribution system disinfectant
convert to free chlorine periodically.
Does free chlorination change or affect water quality?
The drinking water continues to meet state and federal
water quality standards during the temporary change
in disinfection treatment.
Will I notice a change in my water?
Some people may notice a change in taste or odor,
or temporary discoloration or cloudiness.
Adverse health effects are not expected.
Why does my water taste or smell different?
Your water may taste or smell different because the
Utility Special District is temporarily changing its
disinfection process from chloramines to chlorine only.
Water systems using chloramines periodically change
to chlorine as part of a maintenance program within
the water distribution system. During this temporary
change, you may notice a slight difference in the
taste or smell of your tap water.
What can I do to improve the water’s taste or smell?
Store drinking water in an open pitcher in your
refrigerator for a few hours. Chlorine will naturally
dissipate and become less noticeable.
Why is this being done at this time of year?
As part of the USD’s commitment to providing safe
and reliable water, plant staff continually monitor
the water to determine when a treatment change
may be needed.
What are the methods for removing chlorine or chloramines
from fish aquariums?
Chlorine and chloramines can harm saltwater and freshwater
fish, reptiles, shellfish, and amphibians that live in water.
Commercial establishments and hobbyists involved in fish
rearing should take precautions and seek professional advice.
The USD’s FAQ identifies two methods for removing
or neutralizing chloramines before adding water
to a tank, pond, or aquarium:
-
A granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system
specifically designed to remove chloramines.
-
A conditioner or additive containing a dechlorinating
chemical for both ammonia and chlorine.
Always obtain professional advice before proceeding,
including guidance appropriate to the temporary use
of free chlorine.
I notice the hydrant on my street flowing.
Is this part of the free chlorination process?
Yes. Flushing fire hydrants is a routine part of
the free chlorination process. Flushing will occur
in various parts of the City, so customers may
observe increased hydrant flushing during this time.