Water might smell, look, taste different when Naples changes chemical treatment

City of Naples temporarily changes its water disinfection process

Point of view shot of a man pouring a glass of fresh water from a kitchen faucet

Naples utilities customers might notice a change in the taste, odor and color of their drinking water over the next month as the city temporarily changes its disinfection process.

The city's utilities department typically disinfects water by using a combination of ammonia and chlorine, also known as chloramines. But beginning Monday, it will use free chlorine, a more aggressive disinfectant that helps prevent bacteria from becoming overly resistant.

Collier and Lee counties did a temporary switch to free chlorine last spring.

The use of free chlorine might cause subtle changes to customers' drinking water, said Naples Utilities Deputy Director Allyson Holland, but they should not be concerned.

"All we're doing is a free chemical burn, which we do either annually or every five years to purge the system," she said. "The water might have more of a chlorine smell or taste, but it doesn't cause any adverse health effects." 

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However, the change could cause problems for people with special machinery, such as for dialysis. The extra chlorine also could harm home aquariums, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which recommends the treatment once a year.

Residents using city water should run a faucet for a few minutes before doing laundry to make sure murky water doesn't stain clothes, DEP officials said.

The city will return to its normal disinfection process Aug.14. Residents should call the water plant at 239-213-3004 with any questions about the temporary change in disinfection.

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Fast facts

  • Naples will use free chlorine to disinfect its drinking water from July 16 through Aug. 13.
  • The water is safe to drink, but city water customers might notice a change in the taste, odor and color of the water.
  • Residents who have fish tanks or other aquatic species are advised to contact their local pet store before adding or changing the water in the tank during this period.
  • Residents on kidney dialysis who use a proportioning machine to prepare dialyses at home are advised to contact their equipment supplier or physician to take any appropriate steps to accommodate the change in water disinfection.
  • If you have questions, call the water plant at 239-213-3004.