The Public Works Commission in Fayetteville has announced that, starting tomorrow, March 1, it will temporarily stop adding ammonia to its water treatment disinfection process. 

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources requires all the water systems in the state that add ammonia to the drinking water to stop the procedure for a month-long period every year. 

Throughout the month, five fire hydrants connected to PWC's water distribution system will stay open to flush the water distribution system across 1,200 miles in water mains. Some customers may notice discoloration in their water due to the flushing of the system. 

PWC will resume adding ammonia to the water treatment disinfection process on Friday, April 1.

The water plants at PWC operate twenty-four hours a day all year long and treat over eight billion gallons of drinking water a year for customers in Cumberland County. PWC takes water from the Cape Fear River using a disinfection treatment process that uses ammonia and chlorine to distribute safe drinking water to homes and businesses.

For over twenty years, PWC has maintained the Partnership for Safe Drinking Water Director's Award standards and is compliant with all standards set by the Federal EPA. 

For more information about the water treatment process, visit PWC's website at https://www.faypwc.com/