Annual Water System Maintenance Planned March 3 – 31, 2025
Temporary change in water disinfectant is essential for safe drinking water
MELISSA, TX – Feb. 17, 2025 – From March 3 through March 31, 2025, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which supplies water to the City of Melissa and other communities, will temporarily adjust its water treatment process. This annual maintenance is conducted to ensure the regional system remains optimized for water quality throughout the year.
“Public health and water safety are our highest priorities,” said Zeke Campbell, NTMWD’s Director of Water Treatment and Conveyance. “We utilize advanced treatment technologies to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to the communities we serve.”
This temporary change involves a shift in the disinfectant used. Normally, NTMWD treats water with a chloramine disinfectant, which is a combination of chlorine and ammonia. During this maintenance period, ammonia is removed from the process, and chlorine is used alone to disinfect the water. This adjustment helps condition the pipelines and prepares the system for warmer weather when there is a higher risk of bacterial growth.
“This routine maintenance does not increase chlorine levels in the water,” explained Campbell. “The water remains safe to drink and meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards.”
This type of disinfectant conversion is a standard practice among water providers using chloramine disinfection and follows the guidelines of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While the temporary use of chlorine may result in a more noticeable taste or odor for some residents, simple measures such as refrigerating a pitcher of water overnight or adding a slice of citrus can reduce these effects. Additionally, a crushed 1000 mg Vitamin C tablet can be used to neutralize chlorine in bath water.
NTMWD has performed this temporary adjustment for over 15 years, maintaining compliance with all safety regulations and earning recognition from TCEQ as a Superior Public Water System.
During this period, residents may notice water being flushed from fire hydrants as part of the process to move the chlorine-treated water through the system efficiently.
NTMWD continuously monitors water quality, conducting hundreds of tests daily at a state-certified laboratory. Regular water quality reports, including results from this maintenance period, are available online at www.ntmwd.com/Water-Testing. Additionally, TCEQ performs independent testing to verify compliance with water safety standards.
For more details and resources about the temporary water treatment change, visit https://www.ntmwd.com/SafeWater. Residents can also review water quality updates on the City of Melissa’s website or contact the city with any questions.
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