press release

August 3, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAINTENANCE PROGRAM MAY INCREASE TASTE, SMELL OF CHLORINE IN LOCAL WATER

South Bay - Water customers living in the communities of Chula Vista, National City and Bonita may notice their water tastes and smells more like chlorine during the months of August and September, when Sweetwater Authority, the local public water agency, changes its water treatment method from one which uses chlorine mixed with ammonia (chloramine treatment) to one which uses "free chlorine" to disinfect the water.

Water agencies use free chlorine treatment for a few weeks each year to prevent buildup of nitrate in the distribution system. Excess nitrate in the water, called "nitrification," could lead to the growth of bacteria in water pipelines and storage tanks.

Water customers are likely to notice the change because chlorine is detected more easily when it is "free" than when it is chemically bound to another disinfectant like ammonia. Because this is a temporary change in treatment, kidney dialysis facilities, aquarium owners, and pond owners are advised to continue their standard procedures for the removal of chloramines. (Chlorine is removed from water by granulated carbon more easily than chloramines.)

Free chlorine treatment will be used from August 3, 2000 until approximately September 14, 2000.