On or after June 30, 2026, the Cinco MUD 5 water system will be changing the drinking water disinfectant that we use from chlorine to chloramines. This change is required prior to conversion to surface water, which will occur later in 2026, when Cinco MUD 5 will begin receiving surface water from the North Fort Bend Regional Water Authority (NFBWA). Conversion to surface water is part of the plan to reduce groundwater usage in Fort Bend County as mandated by the Harris- Galveston Subsidence District. The NFBWA’s water supply will be disinfected using chloramines which is the best management practice for surface water, and Cinco MUD 5 is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to have a disinfectant system that is compatible with the source water to be provided by the NFBWA. Therefore, Cinco MUD 5 is required to change the disinfectant used from chlorine to chloramines. This change is intended to benefit our customers by reducing the levels of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the system, while still providing protection from waterborne disease.
However, the change to chloramines can cause problems to persons dependent on dialysis machines. A condition known as hemolytic anemia can occur if the disinfectant is not completely removed from the water that is used for the dialysate. Consequently, the pretreatment scheme used for the dialysis units must include some means, such as a charcoal filter, for removing the chloramine prior to this date. Medical facilities should also determine if additional precautions are required for other medical equipment.
In addition, chloraminated water may be toxic to fish. If you have a fish tank, please make sure that the chemicals or filters that you are using are designed for use in water that has been treated with chloramines. You may also need to change the type of filter that you use for the fish tank.
When the chloraminated water first flushes out the chlorinated water there may be a slight change to taste and odor, and possibly discoloration for a short period of time. This will not compromise the safety of the water.
Should you have any questions, please contact Inframark, the operator for Cinco MUD 5, at our 24- hour Customer Service Line (281) 398- 8211.