Destroying Bacteria
Beginning on March 7, 2006, Lewiston Water Division began using chloramines in addition to chlorine to disinfect the water it produces. Chloramine is a form of disinfectant produced by combining chlorine with ammonia. Both chloramine and chlorine are disinfectants that destroy potentially harmful bacteria should they enter the potable water system.
Chloramines Safety
Chloramines have been used safely in the United States and Canada for many years. Auburn, Bangor, Boothbay, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, York, Millinocket, and Westbrook are among the cities in Maine that use chloramines as part of their water treatment process.
For most normal uses of potable water, chloraminated water is the same as chlorinated water. There are two groups of people, however, who need to take special care with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners. Chloramines must be removed from the water used in the kidney dialysis process and from water that is used in fish tanks and ponds.
If you have any questions about this topic or any other water quality issue, please contact us at 207-513-3144.
Additional Resources