On February 2, 2004 our drinking water supplier, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, changed the domestic water disinfectant from chlorine to chloramine. The main reason for the change is to ensure compliance with stricter federal and state water quality regulations.
Chloramine, similar to chlorine, disinfection has many benefits, including
protecting customers from bacteria, viruses and most other microbes that
can be found in water. Chloramine is a chemical compound formed by the
addition of a small amount of ammonia to the chlorine water mix. The disinfection
properties of chloramine last longer than chlorine in the distribution
system providing increased protection for the water while it is in the
reservoirs and pipelines on its way to your tap. Many consumers from other
utilities that have already switched to chloramine report that chloramine
improves the taste and odor of drinking water.
While switching to chloramine disinfection is intended to improve public
health overall by lowering disinfection byproducts, some customers will
need to take precautions. Chloramine is toxic to fish in aquaria and has
the potential to be toxic to kidney dialysis patients. The SFPUC has been
coordinating with dialysis treatment centers and also addressing the concerns
of fish owners to ensure a safe conversion. For more information please
see the chloramine conversion - Frequently Asked
Questions.
The Stanford Utilities Division started a comprehensive outreach program
in the Fall of 2000 targeting the entire campus population. Outreach includes
meetings with campus groups, informative articles in campus papers and
informational fact sheets on this web site.
Chloramine
Conversion Fact Sheet
Stanford Q&A
Chloramine In Detail
Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles
Business and Industry
Dialysis Facilities and Patients
Stanford
Service Area
(Do you live in Stanford's service area?)
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