The city will begin the tank and line flushing on December the 21st at 10 a.m. and will have the majority of the system flushed of the higher chlorine levels by 4 p.m.
Background: The City of Brownwood, TCEQ PWS # 0250002, is dedicated to providing the best quality water to its customers. This is evident in the daily monitoring of water quality parameters and the monthly flushing of the main lines and fire hydrants to ensure that TCEQ Water Quality Standards are met. Water Distribution staff are tasked with the duty to ensure that water, in all points of the system, is acceptable to our customers. There are times that the disinfectant (chloramine) levels are adversely affected by water age. This occurs when the water usage is low, and the water doesn’t move through the system very fast. When the disinfectant level begins to drop, the city increases the routine flushing of water lines towards the ends of the system to bring this level back up. Most of the time this works well but over time the system requires a chlorine conversion (shock) to the water lines that are experiencing high water age. Currently this is only required in a very small portion of northern Brownwood and will only affect approximately 60 customers. You can access an interactive map of the area to be serviced here: Chlorine Conversion Service Area Map
Remedy: The city will perform a free chlorine conversion (shock) and extensive directional flushing of the walnut elevated tank and the water lines running out to the airport. This will help remove any film build up on the interior of the tank and pipes which will help the system maintain the desired chloramine residuals and the overall water quality once completed. Normally the water is treated with a disinfectant called chloramine which is a long-acting disinfectant that ensures the safety of the water. Free Chlorine is a stronger disinfectant but does not hold its strength as long in the system. Free chlorine is the disinfectant of choice when performing a system chlorine conversion.
Nuisance Problems: The city will begin the tank and line flushing on Tuesday, December 21st at 10 a.m. and will have the majority of the system flushed of the higher chlorine levels by 4 p.m. If you desire to keep the higher chlorine water from entering your household simply do not use any water during this time. After 4 p.m. simply flush several of your faucets in the house prior to use. Be assured, if you need to use the water it will not harm you, the water may be aesthetically unpleasing due to odor, taste, color, and possibly small particles. The particles should be rust particles from the elevated tank and/or iron fittings within the water lines. The city will attempt to flush the particles, color, and odor from the mains with the directional flushing.
The city is dedicated to making sure the water is safe to drink and will be monitoring the disinfectant levels continually during the work. If you get an odor or taste in your water, it doesn’t mean it is unsafe to drink. Odors will be caused by the free chlorine disinfectant reacting in the lines to cleanse the system. Nuisance issues will go away as the work is completed.
Good News: After the completion of the work, the water quality will be better than before. This process will help the water system retain the disinfectant residual longer and will reduce the amount of monthly flushing. In turn, this flushing reduction will help keep operational cost down while providing the customers a better quality of water. Please be patient during our efforts to serve you better. If you have questions, please call the City of Brownwood Service Center at (325) 646-6000.
Visit this link to learn more about drinking water disinfection: TCEQ General Information on Free Chlorine Conversion Process
Date and Time to remember:
December 21, 2021 from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.
