Creighton Heights Water System Update – Annual Free Chlorination

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WATER USERS IN THE BALTIMORE, CREIGHTON HEIGHTS, CARLETON BLVD AND CTY RD 45 AREAS: 
ANNUAL WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE 

The drinking water disinfection process at the Creighton Heights Municipal Drinking Water System employs UV treatment for Primary Disinfection and Chloramination for Secondary Disinfection. Chloramination is the result of adding sodium hypochlorite to ammonia. When sodium hypochlorite is added to the naturally occurring ammonia in the Creighton Heights well water supply, chloramines are produced which provide the following:

• biologically stable water that inhibits bacterial growth in the Distribution watermain system
• lowers disinfection byproducts (DBP)
• lower treatment costs

However, ammonia can result in the formation of nitrites and nitrates throughout the Distribution watermain system, known as nitrification. The preventative maintenance practice of switching to Free Chlorination for a period in late summer/fall, ensures control of nitrification and improves distribution system water quality. Many Water Utilities practice periodic Free Chlorination to control the onset of a nitrification event. Township Water Operations will temporarily switch to free chlorination treatment for approximately one month starting in the latter part of September.

Residents that are supplied by the Creighton Heights Municipal Drinking Water System will start to receive water with Free Chlorine disinfectant during the latter part of September 2025.

*Note: Distribution System flushing will be required as part of this annual procedure and will occur on any weekday between 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This necessary flushing could potentially cause the following:

• Potential low water pressure
• Potential fine air bubbles giving a white cloudy appearance to tap water
• Potential discoloured water from sediments disturbed while flushing which are not harmful. If discoloured water is observed in your home, please run your cold water taps until the water runs clear. We also suggest that you refrain from doing laundry during flushing hours

The change in the disinfection process will not affect water quality in terms of safety. Water quality will continue to meet and exceed Provincial Regulatory requirements during this maintenance activity, as it does when the system in chloraminated. Consumers may notice a stronger chlorine scent as a result of Free Chlorine in the water supply. Kidney dialysis patients must make sure their home machines are adaptable for both Free Chlorine and Chloramines.Customers on dialysis machines should contact their physicians for more information. Anyone with fish tanks must always find another source of water as either Free chlorination or Chloramination disinfection is harmful to fish.

It is anticipated that we will revert back to chloramination in the next number of weeks.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Municipal Office at 905-342-2810, ext 147. Thank you for your co-operation and understanding as we work to maintain your drinking water system.

Water Operations Team