Eastern Heights Water Treatment Change
1/5/2026
Eastern Heights System
Water Treatment Change Coming Soon
The Tangipahoa Water District, in the Eastern Heights Water System, is making a change in its water treatment process to enhance the water you receive from your tap. In addition to the existing treatment process, the new process will use chloramines to maintain the required disinfectant residual in the distribution system (instead of free chlorine currently used). The change is already underway. An engineering firm was engaged in February 2025 to assist the Tangipahoa Water District Eastern Heights Water System with the required studies and drawings of the proposed change to our process. The change is expected to go online within the next 15 days. This process change is not expected to adversely affect the taste or clarity of our water.
What are chloramines?
Chloramines are formed when chlorine and ammonia are combined. The disinfectant is used to kill potentially harmful bacteria in the water.
Why are we changing to chloramines?
Due to the size of the water system and the number of customers served, the Tangipahoa Water District is held to Federal and State drinking water standards when it comes to treating the water we drink. The Eastern Heights Water System has disinfected the water with free chlorine for many years. However, the Tangipahoa Water District System has disinfected with chloramines for many years. The Eastern Heights Water System has recently been consolidated into the Tangipahoa Water District, and unfortunately, a system cannot run with multiple disinfection profiles. You must choose either free chlorine or chloramines. Chlorine kills bacteria in the water and prohibits the growth of bacteria in the water distribution system. However, when chlorine combines with natural organics found in water, small amounts of disinfectant byproducts (DBPS) are formed, such as but not limited to trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5s). Chloramines are less reactive than free chlorine. It is expected that a lower amount of DBPs will be formed when we switch to the use of chloramines in the distribution system.
Are chloramines safe?
Yes, chloramines have been used safely in the U.S. and Canada for many years, and the EPA recommends chloramines as one of the processes available for treating our water. The Eastern Heights Water System will begin using chloramines as a disinfectant. If we did not disinfect our water, disease-causing organisms could be carried in our water system.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT CHLORAMINES
AS OF Monday January 26, 2026, THE TANGIPAHOA WATER DISTRICT, EASTERN HEIGHTS WATER SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE ITS WATER QUALITY WILL BE USING CHLORAMINES IN ITS DISINFECTION PROCESS FOR ALL WATER PRODUCED.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT CUSTOMERS WHO ARE ON A DIALYSIS MACHINE OR WHO RAISE AQUATIC LIFE SUCH AS AQUARIUM FISH SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO REMOVE THE CHLORAMINES THAT ARE PRESENT IN THE WATER SUPPLY.
Precautions:
- Persons who use tap water containing chloramines for hemodialysis (artificial kidney machines) must ensure that the water is properly treated to avoid a serious health problem (methemoglobinemia). The types of controls available to users include carbon filtration and reverse osmosis or chemical reduction. Operators of licensed dialysis centers are aware that water must be treated before use in dialysis. Dialysis operators must be prepared for an anticipated chloramine concentration of 2 to 4 milligrams per liter. The maximum concentration by law is 4 milligrams per liter. In addition, users of home dialysis systems, which utilize tap water for dialysis purposes, must ensure that the tap water is properly treated to remove chloramines prior to the use of such water for dialysis.
- Chloramines can be deadly for fish. Since chloramine is more persistent than free chlorine (which is also toxic to fish), treatment and aging of water to be used in aquaria is more critical when chloramine is present. Suggested action for fish fanciers, breeders, or pet shop owners includes the use of activated carbon filters. Care needs to be taken to replace filter cartridges regularly.
Is chloraminated water safe to drink?
Yes, (even though chloraminated water is deadly for fish and may cause problems with persons on hemodialysis if the water is not properly treated), chloraminated water is safe to drink and is safe for bathing, cooking, and other everyday uses we have for water. City of Hammond, Tangipahoa Water District, City of Shreveport, Bossier City, Natchitoches, and many other public water systems in Louisiana and the nation have been using chloraminated water for years.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you need additional information, contact the Tangipahoa Water District at (985) 345-6457. You may ask to speak with Bryan Moore, Compliance Officer or Charles Schlicher, Executive Director.