GLENDALE, California – Glendale Water & Power (GWP) will be switching from chlorine to chloramines to disinfect the water in the area of Northern Glendale above Oakmont Golf Course in the Verdugo Canyon, including Montrose and La Crescenta starting August 8, 2012. This conversion will be done to comply with new federal drinking water regulations and will match the disinfection process in the rest of Glendale.
Both chlorine and chloramines are effective at eliminating bacteria and making the water safe. Water with chloramines is safe for drinking, bathing, cooking, and all other uses for water. However, there are two groups that need to take special precautions when using chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients, and fish pond, and aquarium owners.
Chloramines, like chlorine, must be removed from the water used in kidney dialysis treatment. The operators of kidney dialysis clinics in the City of Glendale have been contacted and all have indicated that they have the proper equipment in place for the removal of chloramines. If you receive kidney dialysis treatment and have questions please contact your hospital, clinic, or home care provider.
Customers who maintain fish ponds, tanks, or aquariums should make necessary adjustments in water treatment, as both chlorine and chloramines are toxic to fish. Pet shops can provide additional advice on conditioners that will remove or neutralize chloramines in the water.
“The majority of Glendale has been receiving water with chloramines since 1985. The quality of the water Glendale Water & Power delivers to its customers continues to exceed all regulatory safety standards, and meets all health requirements,” stated Peter Kavounas, Glendale Water & Power’s Assistant General Manager of Water.
Glendale Water & Power samples and tests water on a weekly basis to make sure water quality is maintained. Each year thousands of water samples are collected by GWP water system operators and water quality staff; these samples are tested either on-site or by an outside laboratory. Staff reports the results to the State Health Department on a monthly basis.
GWP customers can find question and answer documents regarding chloramines on GWP’s website at www.GlendaleWaterAndPower.com. If you have additional questions, please contact GWP’s Water Quality Office at 818-551-6906.
GWP has made significant upgrades to Glendale’s water infrastructure over the last few years, check out the video: GWP Water System Improvements.