Falls Church Water Disinfection Program Starts Today

Starting today through May 7, Falls Church Water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine to disinfect the drinking water system. Customers may notice a change in the taste and smell of their drinking water, according to a release from the City of Falls Church. By running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating cold tap water for a few hours can reduce chlorine taste and odor.

Customers may also notice reduced water pressure or discolored water from disturbed sediments.  Discolored water can usually be cleared by running a cold water tap for several minutes, once flushing in the immediate area is completed.

The switch is part of a routine program to clean and maintain the water distribution system. Falls Church Water will conduct system-wide flushing to enhance water quality during the disinfection period. The program is standard practice for many water systems in the country that use chloramine during the majority of the year.

According to the City of Falls Church, individuals and business owners who take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine. Individuals with special health concerns should consult with a health care provider on the use of tap water. 

For more information, please contact the Falls Church Water Utility Customer Service at 703-248-5071 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 703-248-5044 (24-hour).