Gloucester water switches back to its usual disinfectant Nov. 12, with a week of flushing

Gloucester's water system goes back to its usual disinfectant next week. The Department of Public Works will switch from chlorine back to monochloramine on Thursday, Nov. 12, the city says.

DPW crews will start flushing water mains the same day and keep at it for about one week. The flushing moves monochloramine back through the whole system.

What you may notice

• Discolored water. Flushing can stir up the normal flow in the pipes. If your water looks discolored, the city recommends running the cold water tap.
• Problems that don't clear up. Call the DPW at 978-325-5600. Crews can flush your area if needed.

Why the switch

Gloucester's water is usually treated with monochloramine, a disinfectant made at the city's treatment plants by combining small amounts of chlorine and ammonia. The DPW switched the pipes to plain chlorine on Oct. 14 for fall maintenance. The switch back on Nov. 12 ends that period.

Read the city's notice.

Earlier coverage: Gloucester switches its water disinfectant for the fall. Here is what you may notice at the tap (Oct. 15), when the switch to chlorine began.