Missouri City’s new Regional Water Treatment Plant is now in operation, and FBISD Hightower High School, Vicksburg Village of Cumberland, Vicksburg Village of Shiloh and Olympia Estates will continue to receive their current water supply from groundwater with one change:

During the week of June 18, water disinfectant in these places will change from chlorine to chloramines, similar to that used at the new Plant. This will allow users to receive water from the Plant in an emergency situation.

Important Background Information

As mandated by the state and the Fort Bend Subsidence District, Missouri City must reduce its groundwater withdrawals to no more than 70 percent of total water demand by Jan. 1, 2014 and to no more than 40 percent by 2025. To meet these regulations, the Missouri City Joint Groundwater Reduction Program brought together 40 separate entities to build the Regional Water Treatment Plant and provide the most cost effective solution to reducing groundwater use. All Sienna municipal utility districts will receive their water from the new plant. Sienna Plantation North already has made the conversion.

Currently, chlorine is being used to disinfect your drinking water. Federal regulations require the use of chloramines, which can be used on any water source, instead of chlorine in the disinfection process for the new system.

Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and all every day uses. Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth have used chloramine as part of their water treatment process for decades.

The change WILL have an impact for patients while undergoing kidney dialysis treatment (there is no negative effect for bathing, drinking and cooking) and for aquarium owners.

In dialysis machines, chloramines, like chlorine, must be removed from the water before it can be used. Chloramines can be removed with ascorbic acid or a granular-activated carbon treatment. Dialysis patients should contact their physician or care center for guidance on machine modifications and procedures. Medical centers that perform dialysis are responsible for purifying water used in treatment machines.

For aquarium owners, the ammonia used to form chloramines is toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Fish tank/bowl water can be purified by adding special substances sold at pet stores. Owners should visit local pet stores to purchase dechloramination products and to receive usage instructions. Water conditioners specifically designed for removing chloramines are commercially available as well.

Overall, chloramination is expected to improve the taste and smell of the water delivered through the new treatment system. However, residents may notice an unfamiliar odor or taste for a few days when the change first takes place.

If you currently filter or otherwise treat your water, it is important to note that unlike chlorine, chloramines cannot be removed by boiling water, allowing water to sit at room temperature over an extended period of time or by using reverse osmosis filters. Commercial products are available to remove chloramines; contact a carrier of home water filters for information on chloramine-removing filters.

If you have further questions, please call the City of Missouri City at 281-403-8500.