Harnett Regional Water Public Notice to Drinking Water Customers
Beginning Sunday, March 1, 2026, Harnett Regional Water will temporarily change its drinking water disinfection process from chloramines (free chlorine combined with ammonia) to free chlorine only. This change will be accomplished by discontinuing the addition of ammonia during the water treatment process. The Water Treatment Plant will resume the addition of ammonia to form chloramines on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The County water system began adding ammonia to the water treatment process in August 1993. The use of ammonia helps reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which are produced when water is disinfected with chlorine. This temporary return to free chlorine disinfection is not expected to cause any significant increase in THMs or HAAs. These byproducts are strictly regulated in the drinking water industry, and the County has maintained compliance with all applicable regulations since they were established.
Some water users may be affected by this temporary change in the treatment process. Customers should be aware that residual traces of chlorine and ammonia must be removed from water prior to use in fish aquariums and ponds, kidney dialysis, and certain commercial food and beverage manufacturing processes.
During this period, the County will also conduct flushing of the water distribution system to facilitate the transition from chloramines to a free chlorine residual disinfectant. System flushing may result in minor discoloration of the water.
Water customers affected by this change include those who receive water service from Harnett Regional Water, as well as customers of the Towns of Lillington, Angier, Coats, Linden, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Spring Lake; East Moore Water District; Moore County Public Utilities – Pinehurst; Johnston County Utilities – West Distribution System; Aqua N.C. (Woodlake); Linden Oaks; and those who live or work on Fort Bragg.
If you have questions regarding this temporary change in the water treatment process, please contact Allan O’Briant, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, at 910-893-7575 ext. 3238, by email at aobriant@harnett.org, or by mail at Harnett Regional Water, P.O. Box 1119, Lillington, NC 27546