Water in Five Cities to Switch Disinfectant as Part of Annual Maintenance, San Luis Obispo County
Author: Public Works
Date: 10/17/2022 2:53 PM
As part of regular maintenance of the Lopez Project water distribution system, the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Works will switch water treatment disinfectant for a period of three weeks from Tuesday, Nov. 8 to Tuesday, Nov. 29.
This switch from a blended-chlorine treatment to the stronger free-chlorine treatment ensures that water mains remain free of potentially harmful bacteria. This is considered a best management practice in the water industry.
Because the county provides water to the cities of Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, Avila Beach, and Port San Luis, these areas may also be converting to free chlorine.
Each individual customer has their own sensitivity level to the taste and/or odor of chlorine. Although many detect no change at all, others may notice a taste or chemical odor like a swimming pool. Free chlorine can be minimized or removed by boiling water, running water through a carbon filter, or filling a container with water and leaving it to vent overnight.
Chlorination is the most common disinfection practice used in the drinking water industry. Most customers will not need to take any precautions as the water remains safe to drink by federal and state drinking water standards. If you have any questions or concerns about your drinking water, please contact your local water supplier.
