Orange Water and Sewer Authority resumed its normal process of disinfecting water using chlorine and ammonia Sunday.
During March, only chlorine was used to disinfect the water to comply with a state requirement.
In January 2002, Orange Water and Sewer Authority began using chloramines — the chlorine and ammonia combination — to disinfect drinking water while improving the taste, odor and overall quality.
The use has reduced levels of disinfection by-products that are left in the water. By-products that result from the chemical reaction between chlorine and organic materials that are naturally present in water from lakes can be harmful at high levels over a lifetime.
The City of Raleigh and the Town of Cary also use chloramines to disinfect drinking water.
