To maintain the effectiveness of the City’s water distribution system, the City will temporarily change its water disinfectant from chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) to free chlorine for approximately one month, from Aug. 3 through Sept. 3, 2026.
This temporary chlorine rinse is part of a collaborative regional effort with the cities of Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, and Liberty Hill to optimize water quality throughout the region.
What to Expect
During the conversion, customers may notice a chlorine-like taste or smell in their water. This is normal. The water will remain safe for consumption by people, pets (see note about fish below), and for watering plants.
Some areas may experience cloudy or discolored water due to hydrant flushing. Run cold water from a bathtub or outdoor faucet for several minutes until the water clears.
What to Do If You Notice Changes
If you notice a change in taste, smell, or water clarity:
Taste or odor? Store tap water in an open container in the fridge to let chlorine dissipate. Carbon filters also help.
Cloudy or discolored water? Run cold water (preferably from a bathtub or outdoor faucet) for several minutes.
Laundry tip: If water appears discolored, wait to wash clothes to avoid staining — especially during August 3-5.
If discoloration doesn’t clear within an hour, submit a Water Quality Service Request.
Special Notes for Sensitive Uses
Dialysis Patients: Dialysis providers have been notified. Treatment systems will need to adjust to remove free chlorine instead of chloramines.
Fish Tanks and Aquariums: Water should be treated with a conditioner that removes both chlorine and chloramines. Most standard aquarium dechlorinators handle both.
- Pool and Hot Tub Owners: No changes are needed. Continue routine maintenance and maintain proper chlorine levels.
Why Is This Needed?
State and federal regulations require Texas cities to maintain proper levels of disinfectant in public water systems to protect against harmful bacteria and viruses.
While chloramine is effective for long-term treatment, it can lose strength in warmer months or in complex systems. To prevent this, the City periodically will switch to free chlorine, a more aggressive disinfectant, to help:
- Clear out buildup in pipes that can reduce disinfection effectiveness
- Prevent bacteria growth that can occur during long-term chloramine use
- Ensure disinfectant reaches all parts of the system — even low-flow or dead-end areas
This practice is considered an industry best practice and is recommended by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Hydrant Flushing and Water Pressure
Public Works crews will flush targeted hydrants throughout the month to move disinfected water through the system and maintain water quality. Customers may experience a brief drop in water pressure. If low pressure persists for more than an hour, please submit a Water Pressure Service Request.
Thanks to higher water usage during summer, less flushing is needed. Outdoor watering naturally increases flow through the system, making the rinse more efficient and conserving water during drought conditions.
FAQs
Between Aug. 3 and Sept. 3, 2026, the City temporarily changed its water treatment method from chloramines to free chlorine. This can cause a stronger chlorine smell or taste. The water is still safe to drink and use.
Yes. The water meets all state and federal health standards and is safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and everyday use.
Please note that this process involves removing ammonia from chloramine, leaving free chlorine for disinfection. The overall chlorine level will not increase. Free chlorine is more chemically reactive, so its smell and taste may be more noticeable even though the amount of chlorine stays the same.
This is a temporary switch in disinfectants to help clean and maintain the water system. It helps remove buildup and improves water quality. It’s a routine, industry-recommended maintenance practice.
Chlorine has been used in public water systems for over 100 years to keep drinking water safe by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
You can chill your tap water in an open container in the fridge for a few hours. Adding lemon juice, or using a certified water filter may also help.
Dialysis machines must be adjusted for disinfectant changes. Local dialysis centers have been notified about the switch and should be monitoring for this temporary change.
Yes, for most pets like cats and dogs. However, fish tanks and ponds still need a water conditioner to neutralize chlorine—just like with normal tap water.
Yes, it can happen when we flush the system to distribute the chlorine. Run cold water from a backyard faucet or bathtub for several minutes. If it doesn’t clear within an hour, please contact us on our online service request form.
Flushing helps the free chlorine reach all parts of the water system and clears out stagnant water. We’ll also flush again when switching back to chloramines.
Warmer months already bring higher water use due to irrigation, so the system naturally moves more water. That means we need less flushing overall. Targeted flushing is still required to maintain safe water.
Hydrant flushing can temporarily lower pressure in nearby areas. It usually returns to normal quickly. If it lasts more than an hour, let us know by filling out a Water Pressure Service Request.
If you’re experience this, it’s most likely our first few days of conversion (Aug. 3-5) and it’s best to wait. If your water looks cloudy or discolored, it might stain clothes. Run a faucet until the water clears before doing laundry.
No changes are needed. Just keep maintaining your chlorine levels as usual.
You should be able to continue using your regular water conditioner. Most commercial products safely remove both chloramines and free chlorine.
This process will last just under 30 days. The City will switch back to chloramines around Aug. 31.
