The water disinfection process in Columbia was changed from a chlorine to a chloramine-based system Tuesday. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recommends that the treatment is changed from chlorine to chloramine, which is a combination of chlorine and ammonia.
“We generally do the straight chlorine in the summertime because we have a lot more water use through irrigation, so that flushes it through the system a lot faster,” Columbia Water and Light spokesperson Connie Kacprowicz said.
Columbia Water and Light used only the chlorine method between 1904 and 2009. Chloramine prevents nitrification in the water pipes. The department received positive feedback when it changed to the chloramine process.
“When you add just that tiny bit of ammonia, it actually helps the taste and smell of the water, and we found that our customers like the chloramine-treated water more than the chlorine-treated water,” Kacprowicz said.
Columbia water originates from an aquifer in McBaine, and it does not require much treatment to clean. It will take a few days for the chloramine to reach customers farther away from the treatment plant. Kacprowicz said chloramine can prevent harmful bacteria and illnesses from developing in the pipes.
“We’re very happy with our water supply, and the fact that it’s very plentiful, not only for our citizens, but for the people who work for the water department. We all drink the water too. It’s such an essential part of life, so having a quality water source is very important to us.”