Annual Burn Out = Periods of Low Pressure

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS:  Beginning August 12, the City of Ottawa (one of our major water sources) will be turning off their ammonia feed system which will in turn switch our water supply from Chloramines (Combined Chlorine) to Free Chlorine for what we lovingly refer to as our "Annual Burn Out."  This burnout is only planned to last a couple weeks and will be noticed by some of our Ottawa area customers as a stronger chlorine smell and/or taste in their tap water.  It is still VERY safe to drink and use in your normal daily usage and consumption.

WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU DO THAT?  In short, the water plants from which we purchase water typically feed both Chlorine and Ammonia which forms Chloramines, also known as Combined Chlorine, into their plants to provide long lasting protection against microorganisms.  Where Chloramines do indeed last longer in the distribution system (the pipeworks we have in the ground to bring tap water to your house), they are not as good at disinfecting the water as Free Chlorine.  Free Chlorine is much more reactive to any organic growth that may occur.  However, Free Chlorine doesn't last as long and has more difficulty reaching to our customers farthest out at the ends of our main water lines.  The burnout is typically done on an annual basis to ensure our distribution system stays clean and biology free so that we can continue to provide our customers with the cleanest, safest water possible.

Our customers may experience periods of low water pressure when we are flushing the lines to force that Free Chlorine through our lines.  We plan to begin flushing the lines around Ottawa on August 15.  Thank you for your patience.  If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, please reach our to us.