In a continuing effort to distribute high-quality water, water utilities serving five regional counties will coordinate and conduct their annual Water Quality Preventative Maintenance Program throughout the month of March. This routine effort involves temporarily switching water disinfectants from chloramines to chlorine to optimize water quality within the distribution systems.                                                                  

The switch will take place from March 1 to March 31, 2023 in the following areas:      

• Union County: Public water systems in Weddington, Wesley Chapel, Waxhaw, Marvin, Indian Trail, Stallings, Wingate, Marshville, Fairview, Unionville, and unincorporated areas of Union County served by Union County Water. 
• Lancaster County: Public water systems in Lancaster, Heath Springs, Kershaw, and unincorporated areas of Lancaster County served by Lancaster County Water and Sewer District. 
• Anson County: Public water systems in Wadesboro, Morven, Lilesville, Peachland, Polkton, Marshville, Ansonville, unincorporated areas of Anson County, and portions of Richmond County and Chesterfield County, S.C., served by Anson County Utilities. 
• Monroe: Public water system in the city of Monroe. 

During the Water Quality Preventative Maintenance Program, some water customers may notice temporary taste, color or odor differences in their water. This is a normal component of the process and customers should be reassured that water quality is not affected and remains safe for drinking, bathing, cooking, and other general uses. Most customers will notice no change.

There are three groups of water users who should take special precautions during this period:

1. kidney dialysis providers/patients, 
2. fish, pond, pool and aquarium owners/ operators, and 
3. some businesses that use water in their production process.

The customers listed above are advised to seek professional advice for the appropriate steps to accommodate the change in water disinfection.

This annual maintenance, which is recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, is performed strategically at this time of year when water usage is low. This limits stress on public water systems. Residents may see crews performing flushing operations at hydrants to ensure chlorinated water is dispersed through the entire system.

When the program is completed on March 31, the disinfection process will return to using chloramines.

These utilities work in cooperation with one another to provide potable drinking water to portions of the five-county region including Union, Anson, and Richmond counties in North Carolina and Lancaster and Chesterfield counties in South Carolina. 

For questions please contact the City of Monroe Water Resources Department at (704) 282-4601. 

Editor's note: This was a joint press release originally prepared and distributed by Union County on Feb. 20, 2023.