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Georgetown Water Utility Initiates Crucial Maintenance

Water maintenance operation in Georgetown

News Summary

The Georgetown Water Utility is starting an essential maintenance operation to enhance water quality, transitioning to free chlorine from chloramines. Residents may notice temporary changes such as chlorine odors and discoloration, but water will remain safe for consumption. This preventative measure aims to improve disinfection and reduce sediment buildup. In a separate issue, a customer received an erroneous water bill due to a malfunction, which has now been rectified. The city remains committed to maintaining reliable water supply amidst these updates.

Georgetown Utility to Undertake Important Maintenance

The Georgetown Water Utility is set to kick off a crucial system maintenance operation starting Tuesday, May 27, which is expected to last until Tuesday, June 27. This maintenance is part of an ongoing effort to enhance water quality and ensure the safety of residents and businesses.

Throughout this maintenance period, customers may notice chlorine odors in their water and a potential green or brown tint. These changes may start appearing as soon as May 27 or May 28. However, residents can rest assured that the water will remain safe for consumption, both for individuals and their pets and plants.

Understanding the Maintenance Process

The primary goal of this maintenance task is to transition from chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) to free chlorine. Free chlorine is known to be a more effective disinfectant, which is essential for maintaining the quality of the water supply. Regular maintenance operations, known as the Free Chlorine Rinse, are critical for enhancing disinfection and eliminating sediment buildup within the piping system.

This preventative process is not just a routine measure; it is advised by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as a best practice for water treatment systems. As part of the maintenance, flushing operations will take place throughout the month. This is to ensure water clarity and to effectively distribute free chlorine throughout the entire water system.

Mitigating Potential Issues

The Georgetown Water Utility plans to divert flushed water to lawns during this process to promote reuse and minimize any potential damage to water pressure during flushing. Most customers should not experience significant drops in water pressure, and any changes are expected to be temporary. However, if low water pressure continues for more than an hour, residents are encouraged to report the issue to the Customer Care team.

For those seeking further details on the Free Chlorine Rinse, additional information can be found on the Georgetown Water Utility’s official website or by contacting Customer Care via email.

Billing Issues Recently Addressed

Georgetown woman recently received an unexpectedly high water bill of $2,181.36. This bill was attributed to a malfunctioning water meter transmitter that had gone undetected for an extended period of 21 months. The City of Georgetown recognized the error and has since apologized to the affected customer.

The Chief Financial Officer of Georgetown noted that transmitter failures are indeed possible, emphasizing the city’s commitment to keeping customers informed when such situations arise. Residents are urged to carefully review their water bills on a monthly basis and to monitor their volume metrics to help identify any potential discrepancies early on.

After a thorough review of the situation, the city adjusted the woman’s bill to a more accurate and manageable amount. This incident brings attention to the city’s commitment to enhancing overall water supply sustainability and reliability, focusing on current needs and future demands.

Future Water Initiatives

City officials are also actively working on significant projects to improve water quality and supply, one of which includes the South Lake Water Treatment Plant. This project aims to double the city’s water treatment capacity by 2026, further ensuring that the growing community’s needs will be effectively met in the years to come.

With these ongoing efforts, residents can have confidence in the Georgetown Water Utility’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality water to the community, even in the face of necessary maintenance and occasional billing challenges.