The City of Spring Hill's water supplier, Miami County Rural Water District No. 2, discontinued using combined chlorine April 1. Instead, free chlorine will be used for up to 30 days. This is part of the district’s annual maintenance program. 

Customers may notice a stronger than usual chlorine taste and smell to the water. This is only temporary and it is necessary to “burn out” the system and kill certain nitrifying bacteria that do not show up on the routine sampling. These bacteria are not harmful to humans or animals. They tend to cause slime growths within the waterlines and create a higher than normal demand on chlorine, thus lowering disinfection properties.

“This is an acceptable method of disinfection that is being monitored at the water treatment plant, as well as throughout the City of Spring Hill’s water distribution system,” Jim Boyer, utility superintendent for Spring Hill, previously said. “Although this process is necessary for water distribution system quality assurance as annual routine maintenance, the water is safe to drink during this process, is tested daily and meets Kansas Department of Health and Environment chlorine residual guidelines.”

The burnout will last for 30 days and is scheduled to end April 30.