BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Boca Raton water customers may notice a different taste or smell in their tap water over the next two weeks as the city temporarily changes how it disinfects drinking water.
The City of Boca Raton’s Utility Services Department said it will switch from chloramine to free chlorine from Sunday, April 12, through Sunday, April 26, 2026. The city said the move is routine, part of its water distribution system maintenance program, and intended to help maintain water quality.
During that period, some customers served by the city’s water system may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor. The city said the water remains safe to drink.
The temporary change affects customers served by the City of Boca Raton’s Utility Services Department, which operates the city’s water treatment and distribution system. The city said using free chlorine for a limited period is an industry best practice and provides added protection against bacteria while the system undergoes routine maintenance.
For most residents, the main impact will be limited to a temporary change in how the water smells or tastes. That does not mean the water is unsafe. The city said the conditions are expected during the two-week treatment window and should end once the system returns to its usual process.
The notice carries a more specific warning for customers and businesses that rely on water treatment systems calibrated for chloramine instead of free chlorine. That includes users of home kidney dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish aquariums, and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks.
The city said the methods for testing for and removing free chlorine residuals differ from the methods used for chloramine residuals. Those customers are being urged to seek professional guidance during the changeover period to make sure their systems are properly adjusted.
The city also said fire hydrant flushing will continue during the same period. Residents in some areas may notice water flowing in streets or swales, temporarily lower water pressure, or slight discoloration in tap water. The city said those temporary conditions are also not expected to cause adverse health effects.
That means some customers may see more than one temporary change at once — taste, odor, pressure fluctuation, or mild discoloration — depending on where hydrant flushing is taking place. The city’s notice makes clear those effects are tied to routine system work and are expected to pass.
What residents should watch for is straightforward: a chlorine smell or taste in tap water, occasional localized pressure drops, and possible temporary discoloration during hydrant flushing. The city said those conditions should remain temporary during the April 12 to April 26 maintenance window.
Customers with questions about the treatment change can contact Boca Raton Utility Services at 561-338-7310 or check the city’s Utility Services webpage for additional information.
Source: City of Boca Raton Utility Services notice on temporary drinking water disinfection process change, April 12–26, 2026.
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