By Mary O’KEEFE

Glendale Water & Power will be switching from chlorine to chloramines to disinfect the water in the area of Northern Glendale above Oakmont Golf Course in the Verdugo Canyon, including Montrose and La Crescenta, starting Aug. 8.

This conversion will be done to comply with new federal drinking water regulations and will match the disinfection process in the rest of Glendale.

The process, which began in 1985, is to minimize the formation of disinfection byproducts that is left by chlorine, said Dan Askenaizer, GWP water quality manager.

Both chlorine and chloramines are effective at eliminating bacteria and making the water safe. Water with chloramines is safe for drinking, bathing, cooking, and all other uses for water.

“If people are sensitive to the taste of chlorine, they will [notice] a difference,” Askenaizer said.

He added there is less of a taste to chloramines than chlorine.

The changes to the water treatment will affect two specific groups; the first is anyone on kidney dialysis.

Chloramines, like chlorine, must be removed from the water used in kidney dialysis treatment. The operators of kidney dialysis clinics in the City of Glendale have been contacted and all have indicated that they have the proper equipment in place for the removal of chloramines. Anyone who receives kidney dialysis treatment and has questions can contact their hospital, clinic, or home care provider.

The other customers that need to take note of the change are those who have fishponds and aquariums.

“Most water conditioning products would [take care] of both chlorine and chloramines,” Askenaizer said. “We have spoken to the pet stores [and pond stores] in the area, so they are aware.”

Pet shops can provide additional advice on conditioners that will remove or neutralize chloramines in the water.

“The majority of Glendale has been receiving water with chloramines since 1985. The quality of the water Glendale Water & Power delivers to its customers continues to exceed all regulatory safety standards, and meets all health requirements,” stated Peter Kavounas, Glendale Water & Power’s assistant general manager of water.

Glendale Water & Power samples and tests water on a weekly basis to make sure water quality is maintained. Each year thousands of water samples are collected by GWP water system operators and water quality staff; these samples are tested either on-site or by an outside laboratory. Staff reports the results to the State Health Department on a monthly basis, according to a GWP statement.

The project cost is $3.5 million, which includes all the studies, consultants and construction, said Gary Roepke, GWP senior civil engineer.

GWP customers can find question and answer documents regarding chloramines on GWP’s website at www.GlendaleWaterAndPower.com or contact GWP’s Water Quality Office at (818) 551-6906.

  Mary Okeefe