The City of Palm Bay Utilities Department will temporarily modify its drinking water treatment process from March 16 through April 13, 2026, as part of routine system maintenance designed to maintain the highest water quality standards for residents.
To maintain the highest possible water quality standards, Palm Bay Utilities periodically performs a water treatment technique called free chlorine maintenance. We do this by temporarily switching our disinfection method from Chloramination to free chlorination.
Chloramination, our usual process, involves adding ammonia to the liquid chlorine that is normally utilized in water treatment. This creates a more stable and long-lasting disinfectant in the pipes that get drinking water from our plants to your home.
Free chlorination is simply eliminating the addition of ammonia and using only the chlorine we routinely add to disinfect those pipes. This change helps to get rid of the microbial film that can build up in the distribution pipes and prevents bacteria from developing resistance to our standard treatment, which we use throughout the year.
You may notice our dedicated staff flushing pipes at various locations throughout our distribution system. These flushing forces the free chlorinated water further downstream and increases the effectiveness of the program.
During the free chlorine maintenance program, you may notice a temporary change in the taste, odor, or color of your water. This is normal. Color issues will be removed by the flushing, but should they remain, they can often be eliminated by allowing your water to run for several minutes before use. Occasionally, the chlorine smell or taste may remain; don’t worry, as the water remains safe to use, and conditions will return to normal once the program is complete.
Residents who receive dialysis treatments at home should contact their healthcare provider about prefilter options. Owners of fish, amphibians, or reptiles should contact their local pet supply store for guidance on appropriate water treatment during this period.
If you have any questions, need additional information, or if those color issues persist, please contact Palm Bay Utilities at 321-952-3420 or visit palmbayfl.gov.
