In March and early-April, OWASA customers will notice a chlorine taste and smell in their drinking water.

During this period, OWASA will use chlorine instead of chloramines to disinfect drinking water, in accord with recommendations from the NC Department of Environmental Quality.

OWASA uses chlorine for disinfection one month per year to ensure a high level of disinfection in the water system.

It is a stronger disinfectant than chloramines and with that comes a stronger taste and odor.

OWASA released a list of a few things you can do to remove or neutralize the chlorine in your water:

  • Add a few lemon slices to a pitcher of water. The lemon has ascorbic acid, which neutralizes chlorine.
  • Let water sit for a day or so. OWASA suggests keeping the water in an open container in a refrigerator.
  • Boil the water for one minute to evaporate the chlorine.
  • Filter the water with activated carbon. Water pitchers with activated carbon filters are sold locally.

As part of this process, OWASA will be releasing water from fire hydrants in some areas, which may cause discolored drinking water.

Do not drink or wash clothes with this water, instead run cold water through a spigot or faucet for five to 10 minutes. If it does not clear up after that, call OWASA at 919-968-4421.

Related Stories
‹
OWASA Sets Date for Full Closure of W. Rosemary Street. Here's What You Need to Know
As part of an extensive water main replacement by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, part of West Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill is set to close to all traffic in the coming weeks.
Water Main Break Causes Emergency Repairs, Lane Closures on E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill
Part of East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill was shut down Friday morning as crews respond to a leaking water main that spilled water onto the road.
W. Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill Closed Amid Water Main Break
An alert shared by the Chapel Hill Police Department warned community members of a water main break along West Rosemary Street at 7:53 a.m.
OWASA Receives Nearly $2 Million in PFAS Treatment Settlement
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority announced Thursday it has received $1.96 million for PFAS treatment as part of a settlement with the company 3M, a major manufacturer of PFAS. According to OWASA, the funds will be used to offset the cost of treatment to reduce PFAS in the community’s drinking water. PFAS is an […]
OWASA's Extensive West Rosemary Street Project Begins on Nov. 3. Here Are The Details
OWASA plans to begin its construction Monday, Oct. 20 to replace a water main on Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill.
OWASA Sets Downtown Chapel Hill Water Line Replacement, Road Closure for October
A significant OWASA water line replacement project is set to close parts of West Rosemary Street for roughly 18 months starting this fall.
Viewpoints: University Lake Dam and Recent Flooding of Morgan Creek
As OWASA works alongside our local government counterparts to repair damage caused by Tropical Depression Chantal, we are struck by the devastation our community has experienced.
Community Members Donate To Support Baxter Bar & Arcade Following Water Main Break
After suffering a water main failure, The Baxter Arcade and Bar turned to the community for support in the form of a GoFundMe campaign.
OWASA Prepares for Public Hearing While Weighing Latest Round of Rate Increases
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority, OWASA, is considering a 7% rate increase to help cover project costs for major infrastructure upgrades.
Water Main Break Closes Chapel Hill Road; OWASA Issues Boil Water Advisory for Affected Customers
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority responded to a water main break in Chapel Hill on Thursday morning along Willow Drive.
›