Beginning Aug. 27, our water supplier — Miami County Rural Water District No. 2 (RWD2) — will conduct their annual Free Chlorine Burnout to the water distribution system. 

RWD2 discontinued using combined chlorine Aug. 27.  Instead, free chlorine will be used for up to 30 days. This is part of the water district’s annual preventative 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.

“The chlorine taste may linger after the free chlorine has been discontinued,” RWD 2 said. “In some cases, there may be some natural soluble iron and manganese present in the waterlines. Free chlorine may further oxidize these substances.” 

The burnout will last for 30 days.