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March 31, 2008
Heavily chlorinated water of late?
Has anyone else noticed a very sharp increase in the amount of chlorine in Brooklyn municipal water lately?
We live in Clinton Hill and in the last week or so the chlorine in our drinking and showering water has been off the charts - completely undrinkable, and really drying out our skin and hair.
It doesn't go away after letting the water run, a Brita pitcher doesn't get rid of chlorine (not even the odor), and we have been forced to leave open pitchers of water out for it to evaporate.
Needless to say, it's becoming quite frustrating.
I plan to call 311 about it, but wanted to see if anyone else is having the same issue?
Thanks!
Comments
I'm in Bed Stuy and my water tastes great!
Are you newly pregnant or on any new prescription drugs that might make your sense of smell more intense than usual?
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 12:28 PM
I have noticed this too in Clinton Hill recently.
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 12:29 PM
Can't say I have noticed it at all.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at March 31, 2008 12:47 PM
To the first commenter, no to either of those questions - but that is a smart line of reasoning. My husband smells and tastes it just as much as i do.
Posted by: lwo at March 31, 2008 1:03 PM
It is spring. most water utilities super-cholorinate around now, as there is a lot of runoff/snowmelt brigning 4 months of dog crap into the reservoirs.
Was much worse in NJ.
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 1:28 PM
This reminds me, we were out on Monday night last week in Carroll Gardens and smelled the most horrid sewage odor. Total raw sewage, strong, and not just over the grates. Is that typical there? I smelled it a bit in Park Slope too the day after that. And nope I'm not pregnant : )
Could that be why there is more chlorine in the water? If there have been sewage issues?
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 1:41 PM
Thank you for posting this. I just reported this same thing to my husband this week. I live in Manhattan. There is a very very strong chlorine odor in my water too. I noticed first in the shower, the bathroom smelled like an enclosed swimming pool area when I turned it on. I use all non scented natural cleaning products so I knew it wasn't the cleaner. I actually did not shower or drink tap for the last two days because the odor was so strong. I am not going to post articles but you can very easily goggle articles on the health risks of high levels of chlorine in your shower water (it is more unhealthy to shower with than to drink.)
I strongly encourage people to call 311 and report it so the city knows there is something unusual going on.
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 2:32 PM
Will you please repost and tell us what 311 says? Perhaps they redirect you to the EPA or something?
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 2:37 PM
I live in Carroll Gardens and never smelled anything at all. As far as the water goes it tastes great to me. I drink it from the tap.
Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 5:43 PM
I live in Windsor Terrace, and periodically
my tapwater has a heavy chlorine odor...
seems to occur right after heavy rainfall...
really awful.
Posted by: bren at March 31, 2008 6:11 PM
if i boil the water and let it cool, will that get rid of the chlorine?
Posted by: guest at April 2, 2008 1:32 PM
From what I have read boiling will only get rid of chlorine but not chloramines. In addition, as it was stated eariler, taking a shower is much more carcingenic than a glass of water.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/chloramine/index.html
Posted by: guest at April 2, 2008 8:57 PM
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