Hazleton City Authority PWS No. 2408001 Notice of Treatment Change to Chlorine Dioxide ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION MUY IMPORTANTE SOBRE SU AGUA DE BEBER. TRADUZCALO O HABLE CON ALGUIEN QUE LO ENTIENDA BIEN. This notice is to inform Hazleton City Authority customers in its Hazleton Division that the Hazleton City Authority (HCA) will make a change in its process to include chlorine dioxide at the HCA Water Treatment Plant. This new treatment process involves adding an alternative form of chlorine (chlorine dioxide) as a pre-treatment in drinking water supplied from the Plant. The chlorine dioxide treatment will begin no sooner than 7 days from the distribution date of this notice. Chlorine Dioxide has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in water treatment and the PA DEP has issued a permit to the HCA for use of chlorine dioxide in pretreatment at the filtration plant. Chlorine will still be used as the primary disinfectant following the chlorine dioxide addition. The Hazleton City Authority will use chlorine dioxide alternatively with potassium permanganate when conditions are favorable for its use. Chlorine Dioxide was discovered in 1811 and its use in pre-disinfection and oxidation of drinking water has increased significantly over the past 20 years. The primary advantage of chlorine dioxide is that it produces lower levels of disinfection by-products compared to chlorine gas and does not produce halogenated organic disinfection by-products at levels of concern. Also, chlorine dioxide is a strong oxidant and is effective in oxidizing biological organisms, iron and manganese, and taste and odor. Customers on dialysis are advised to contact their physician to obtain the appropriate steps needed to accommodate the change in water treatment to chlorine dioxide pre-treatment. Customers who have fish tanks or aquatic species are advised to contact their pet store or aquarium dealer to avoid any problems associated with chlorine dioxide pre-treatment. The new chlorine dioxide pre-treatment system will be monitored daily per Federal EPA and State DEP drinking water regulations. Should you have any questions, please contact Randy Cahalan, Director of Operations at the Hazleton City Authority Office at 570-454-2401. Customers are encouraged to share this important information with water users who may not see this notice.