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Crews prepare to treat public water supply in Union, Anson, Lancaster counties

Neighbors in Union, Anson, and Lancaster counties may notice a change in the taste, color, and odor of their tap water at the end of the month.

Officials are doing an annual flush of the public water supply in those three counties.

The process involves treating the water supply with chlorine as opposed to the chemical used year-round called chloramine.

Water treatment plants used to use chlorine year-round until the EPA found it produces potentially harmful by-products.

A chemist at Queens University Greg Pillar said it is still considered safe to use chlorine annually to clean out pipes and infrastructure.

"Once per year, they need to revert back to help flush out film that develop in pipes and infrustructure, to help flush it out to prevent corrosion and other issues," Pillar said.

"The flush of the system begins on February 25 and will last for five weeks.

Union County officials said kidney dialysis patients and fish aquarium owners may need a new water source temporarily, but the tap water will be safe to drink, bathe, and cook with most customers.

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