Important News About Your Water Quality

Beginning in late February 2024, Garden City will be using chloramines instead of free chlorine as the primary source of water treatment. This change is being driven to meet federal regulations for drinking water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposed stringent regulations to address known health risks associated with disinfection byproducts (DBP’s) in chlorinated water. To comply with the tougher standards, many water systems across the country have transitioned from chlorine to a safe, proven disinfectant known as chloramine. Missouri American Water’s Jefferson City, Joplin, St. Joseph and St. Louis operations transitioned to chloramine several years ago.

Prior to Missouri American Water acquiring the water system in Garden City, the level for DBP’s was exceeded in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Below you will find some commonly asked questions regarding the use of chloramines.

Are Chloramines Safe?:

Chloramination is a common disinfection process used by the water industry in which a small amount of ammonia in water is added to chlorine in water at the end of our treatment process. The EPA widely accepts chloramines as an effective treatment to prevent the waterborne transmission of parasites that are capable of causing sickness. Over 75% of Missouri American Water customers consume water treated by chloramination.

How does the transition to chloramines affect our drinking water?

People use chloraminated water in all the same ways for drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning and watering lawns and gardens. The only change that customers might notice is a reduced taste and odor of chlorine which is often touted as an improvement in water quality.

If you prefer, products are available that reduce or remove chloramine, such as home treatment systems and water filters. We recommend that you visit the National Sanitation Foundation’s (NSF) Web site, where NSF provides information on in-home filters that remove chloramine and chlorine.

When will this change take place?

The treatment with chloramines will begin at the end of February. Most customers will notice a reduction in the taste and/or odor of chlorine. No other changes should be noticeable.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR KIDNEY DIALYSIS PATIENTS AND FISH OWNERS

Although the use of chloramine is proven to be safe, kidney dialysis patients and fish owners must take special care not to use water directly from the tap. As with chlorine, chloramine must be removed from water that is used in the kidney dialysis process and from water that is used in fish tanks or ponds. You will find more information on the steps to take here.