Turlock adding chlorine to city’s drinking water

Residents of Turlock who are on the city's water supply will find their drinking water tasting a little different come Wednesday.

Turlock will begin a citywide chlorination project over time, starting on May 17, until the system reaches the desired levels for safety – consistent with State of California mandates for clean water — according to a press release from the Municipal Services Department.

"There will be safeguards in place to ensure that the levels of chlorine in the water remain within acceptable limits. Chlorination prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and eliminates viruses and microorganisms that can cause serious illness if consumed," according to the City.

The city will be adding sodium hypochlorite to the water in liquid form at each of the city's well and storage tank sites. There is a chlorine analyzer downstream of these sites, which ensures that the levels remain within acceptable limits.

Previously the City water system relied entirely on untreated groundwater, which did not require chlorination. However, additional treatment, specifically activated carbon filtration, is being added to the system and when activated carbon filtration is used, disinfection is required by the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water to kill any microorganisms that may be introduced during the filtration process. The activated carbon is used to filter out pesticide residue in the groundwater.

Additionally, the City will begin utilizing treated surface water as part of the water supply in the upcoming years. Disinfection is imperative and mandated when surface water is used for drinking water purposes due to the presence of microorganisms in surface water bodies.

While the City officials say there are no health risks associated with drinking chlorinated water, they recommend dialysis patients check with their healthcare provider before using chlorinated water for dialysis machines. The City also recommends residents who have aquatic animals check with pet stores or veterinarians about water filters for these pets.