Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to temporarily change its water disinfection method for two weeks beginning Oct. 13

To support Miami-Dade County’s ongoing delivery of safe, reliable drinking water, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) will temporarily change its method of chlorination at each of its regional water treatment facilities between October 13 and October 26, 2025.

For more than 40 years, WASD has partnered annually with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) when scheduling the chlorine conversion.

For this scheduled treatment, the department will use free chlorine as its treatment method rather than the usual combined chlorine at the treatment plants. This temporary method, which has taken place since 1983, provides a stronger disinfection and bleaching process than the combined chlorine treatment and supports the department’s commitment and ongoing efforts to provide high-quality drinking water for the residents of Miami-Dade County. This change in chlorination does not cause adverse health effects; however, customers may notice a chlorine taste and/or smell in the tap water during the two-week period.  

Dialysis patients may want to contact their doctor, and the owners of tropical fish, managers of restaurants and stores with fish holding tanks, are encouraged to seek advice from aquarium maintenance professionals.

During these two weeks, department employees may be seen flushing water lines throughout the County to ensure that the entire distribution system is included. As a result, there may be intermittent, brief periods of lower-than-normal water pressure or instances of cloudy water. 

If you notice cloudy water, let the water run for three to five minutes until the water runs clear. This temporary, cosmetic issue does not impact water quality and is necessary to support WASD’s daily commitment to deliver safe, reliable drinking water year-round.

Should you have questions about water quality, you can call the Department’s Laboratory Division. Customers who live north of Southwest Eighth Street should call 786-552-4738. Those living south of SW 8th Street should call 786-552-4181.

It is the priority of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. For additional information about Department services and programs, visit the WASD website.