The Water Treatment Plant in the Town of Slave Lake is changing its disinfection process from chlorination (chlorine only) to chloramination (adding chlorine and ammonia).
Chloramination is a safe, proven water disinfection process that has been widely used in communities across Canada, the United States and Europe for several decades. The City of Edmonton has utilized chloramination for more than 25 years.
Chloraminated water is safe for drinking by people and animals, cooking, bathing, laundry, gardening and all other general household uses. It can be used safely by women who are pregnant, for mixing baby formula, and for cleansing of cuts, scrapes and wounds.
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What is chloramination?
Are chloramines new?
Why are we making the change to chloramines?
What are Disinfection By-Products (DBPs)?
Are chloramines safe?
Why do kidney dialysis patients have to take special precautions?
Do medical centers, hospitals, and clinics that perform kidney dialysis know about the change to chloramines?
Yes. All medical facilities will be notified of the change. All dialysis systems already pre-treat their source water: some will have to modify their equipment before the change to the new type of disinfectant. If you have any doubt, please ask your physician.
What should people with home dialysis machines do to remove chloramines?
If chloramines are toxic, won't they harm people and pets?
If chloramines shouldn't mix with blood, is it safe to drink water containing them?
How about washing an open wound, such as a cut, with chloraminated water?
Can people with kidney ailments, on low-sodium diets, or with diabetes use chloraminated water?
If chloramines are harmful to fish, how can people safely drink the water?
Can pregnant women and children drink chloraminated water?
Will chloramines change the pH of the water?
What will water taste like with chloramines?
If you notice any change at all, you may find the water has less of a chlorine odor or taste.
Do home water softeners remove chloramines?
Does bottled water have chloramines?
Will chloramines affect swimming pools?
Will beneficial soil bacteria be harmed?
How do chloramines affect fish?
Won't letting water sit for a few days remove chloramines from tank or pond water?
If only a small amount of water is added to an aquarium or pond to make up for evaporative loss, do chloramines still have to be remove?
Are both salt and fresh water fish affected by chloramines?
Can Koi assimilate chloramines unlike other fish?
No. Koi are just as susceptible to chloramines as any other fish.