Residents of Georgetown, Texas, should prepare for temporary changes in their water as the Georgetown Water Utility begins its annual Free Chlorine Rinse on Tuesday, May 27, lasting through Friday, June 27. This routine maintenance ensures the water system remains clean and effective, but customers may notice chlorine odors and a green or brown tint in their water for brief periods.

Despite these temporary changes, the water remains safe to drink for people, pets, and plants, as concentrations will stay within state and federal drinking water standards.

The Georgetown Water Utility typically uses chloramines—a combination of chlorine and ammonia—for long-term disinfection benefits. However, periodic maintenance, such as the Free Chlorine Rinse, removes ammonia from the process, allowing chlorine alone to disinfect the system more effectively.

Throughout the Free Chlorine Rinse period, hydrants will be flushed to ensure clear water and distribute free chlorine throughout the system. The process will be repeated when converting the system back to chloramine.

Residents in Georgetown, Texas, have expressed concerns about the upcoming water system maintenance. While the city assures that the water remains safe to drink, some customers are worried about temporary changes in water quality.

Specific concerns include:

• Health Risks for Dialysis Patients – Special precautions are required to ensure chemical disinfectants are removed before use in dialysis machines.
• Impact on Aquatic Life – The temporary switch to free chlorine makes the water unsafe for fish tanks and aquariums, raising concerns among pet owners.
• Water Pressure Fluctuations – While most customers should not experience a drop in water pressure, some worry about momentary changes and potential disruptions.
• Pool Maintenance Challenges – Pool owners must adjust chlorine levels to prevent algae and bacterial growth, prompting concerns about additional maintenance.

Despite these concerns, the Georgetown Water Utility emphasizes that the Free Chlorine Rinse is a standard maintenance practice recommended by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to reset the system’s disinfection capabilities and remove sediment buildup.

Most customers will not experience a drop in water pressure, but if low pressure persists for more than an hour, residents should report it to the Customer Care team at customercare@georgetowntexas.gov.

For more details or to report issues, residents can contact Customer Care at customercare@georgetowntexas.gov or visit the official Georgetown Water Utility page.