News & Updates

Beginning Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Harnett Regional Water will temporarily
change its drinking water disinfection from Chloramines (Free Chlorine plus
Ammonia) to just Free Chlorine by stopping the addition of ammonia to its water
treatment disinfection process. The Water Plant will resume the addition of
ammonia to form Chloramines for the water treatment disinfection process on
Saturday, April 1, 2023.

The County water system began adding ammonia to the water treatment process in
August of 1993. Using ammonia in the treatment process helps the County reduce
the amount of Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids by-products that are formed
when water is disinfected with chlorine. This return to chlorine only disinfection is
not expected to cause any significant issues with Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic
Acids. Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acid levels are strictly regulated in the
drinking water industry, and the County has maintained compliance with
Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids since regulations were put in place.

Some users of water may be affected by the temporary change in the treatment
process. Water customers should be aware that residual traces of ammonia and
chlorine must be removed from the water prior to its use in fish aquariums and
ponds, kidney dialysis and some commercial manufacturing of food and beverage.

The County also conducts flushing of the water distribution system during this
period to hasten the change of chloramines to chlorine residual disinfectant. The
system flushing may result in some minor discoloration of the County’s water.

Water customers affected by this change include those who pay water bills to
Harnett Regional Water as well as those who pay bills to the Towns of Lillington,
Angier, Coats, Linden, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Spring Lake, East Moore
Water District, Moore County Public Utilities – Pinehurst, Johnson County Utilities
– West Distribution System, Aqua N.C. (Woodlake), Linden Oaks or live and/or
work on base at Fort Bragg. If you have any questions about this temporary change
in the water treatment process, contact Harnett Regional Water Treatment Plant
Supervisor Allan O’Briant by phone 910-893-7575 ext. 3238, e-mail
aobriant@harnett.org or by mail at Harnett Regional Water, P. O. Box 1119,
Lillington, N. C. 27546.