Gander to add chloramines to water as part of pilot project
During the first week of August, the Town of Gander will begin a six-week pilot study introducing chloramines as a disinfectant in the town's water supply.
Trace amounts of ammonia will be added to the chlorine which will form chloramines. Chloramines act as secondary disinfectants in potable water.
Coun. Gerry Parrott told CBC Radio's Central Morning the town had originally planned on installing a chlorine booster station in the northeast area of Gander.
He said residents of Eastgate and the northeast part of town were not getting the full strength of chlorine in their water.
"But engineers came up with chloramines, which is being used elsewhere like [the] Bay Bulls treatment plant in St. John's, and there haven't been any issues in there," he said.
"So we're going to try it for a six-week period, and it's going to be tested continuously, monitored all day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So we're not expecting any problems."
Dialysis patients need to take precautions
The town made the announcement last week, stating that water will be safe for residents drink, bathe in and use for laundry purposes.
However, the change to chloramines could affect a person who is dependent on dialysis machines.
According to the town's website, a condition known as hemolytic anemia can occur, if the disinfectant is not completely removed from the water that is used for the dialysate.
Parrott said officials at the James Paton Memorial Hospital have been advised of the study, in preparation for its dialysis patients.
"People should check with their medical facilities. The hospital's been advised, everybody's been advised of the changeover. We'd like to ensure everybody is prepared, so that we don't encounter any problems," he said.
Chloramines can also cause issues for fish tanks. Parrott said as long as residents with tanks have the right charcoal filters, they shouldn't have issues.
Once the six-week trial period is over, the town will decide whether to make chloramines a permanent addition to the water treatment system.