Emporia’s burnout process will go into its second week Monday, and city officials say things have gone well so far.
This is the second straight year where the city has done a chlorine burnout, converting from chloramine to free chlorine for a month, as opposed to shorter but more frequent disinfectant changeovers. On KVOE’s Talk of Emporia on Friday, Public Works Director Dean Grant said the goal is to do one burnout a year.
The city normally adds ammonia to the water. As it goes through a so-called nitrogen cycle, free ammonia can collect in the far reaches of the water system. This means a loss of chlorine residuals, which can lead to increased risk of bacterial contamination and possible boil water alerts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Besides the short-term change in disinfection methods for city customers, this also benefits Emporia’s wholesale customers in Lyon and Coffey counties. Water Treatment Plant Manager Jack Mason says the city is committed to good service areawide.
The process will continue through Oct. 26. If you see discolored water, call Public Works at 620-340-6339 ext. 2 and staffers will flush nearby hydrants.
