GIWA announces temporary modification of water treatment

■ STAFF REPORT
Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. (GIWA) will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its potable (drinking) water supply.
GIWA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines) beginning on November 28, 2016 through January 3, 2017.
This conversion to chlorine (which is a stronger disinfectant) from chlorine/ammonia (which is a longer-lasting disinfectant) will be done in conjunction with scheduled upgrades to GIWA’s reverse-osmosis water treatment plant.
This temporary change in disinfectant does not cause adverse health effects.
However, during the change-over period customers may experience a slight increase in taste, odor and color of the water due to the change in treatment.
Additionally, beginning on December 5, 2017, our reverse-osmosis water treatment plant will be out of service for approximately three weeks. The potable water will be a blend of water purchased from Charlotte County Utilities and GIWA’s shallow-well water. This will result in a change in hardness and color of the water.
Customers on kidney dialysis who use a proportioning machine to prepare dialysate at home are advised to contact their equipment supplier or physician to take any appropriate steps to accommodate the change in water disinfection and to install the proper filtering devices if needed.
Customers who have fish tanks or other aquatic species are advised to contact their local pet store to ensure proper pre-treatment of the water before adding or changing the water in the tank to avoid any problems associated with free chlorine.
If you have any questions concerning this change in disinfectants, please call Bonnie Pringle at 964-2423.