The City of High Point announced this week that it will be switching back to chloramines for water disinfection on April 18, 2024, though it will take about 14 days to complete the full conversion for the water distribution system.

According to a press release sent out by the city, “Between Dec. 3, 2023, and April 17, 2024, Archdale, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Randleman, Reidsville and the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority conducted a routine water quality preventative maintenance program involving the temporary use of chlorine instead of chloramines to disinfect area drinking water. The switch was important to maintain the safety of the City’s drinking water and to optimize the water quality in the distribution systems.”

Now, during the switch back to chloramines, some High Point water customers may notice temporary taste or odor differences in their water. City officials state that this is a normal part of the transition, and they stress that the actual water quality won’t be affected since both chlorinated and chloraminated water are safe for drinking, cooking and other general uses.

But there’s a caveat: Some specialized industries – such as medical facilities offering kidney dialysis, will want to take precautions, as will pond owners and those with fish tanks.  Other businesses that use water in their production process should take precautions as well.  City water officials state that, in those cases, some adjustments to current filtration and treatment systems may be needed.

Anyone with questions about the change can contact the City of High Point’s Customer Service Line at 336-883-3111 or call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

More information can also be found online at www.highpointnc.gov/waterqualitymaintenance.